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1988 88spl cutting speed at WOT

R

RoryHamaker

New member
Guys and gals, I am brand new to boating so if I ask a blatantly dumb question I apologize. I just acquired an 88 Lowe pontoon with an 88 spl evinrude motor. Mostly the engine runs fine. It's a little hard to start some days and smokes blue a little but mostly, no issues. First day out on the lake we were heading back and the prop spun a bearing. We got towed back into the dock and I ordered the correct aluminum prop for the motor and boat. The next time we took it out, no issues at all, and it has been that way since with the exception of one aggravating fact. When I run the boat past about 55-60% throttle it feels like the prop is starting to free spin again. The engine will spin up but the boat doesn't go any faster in fact usually it slows down. I have peeked behind to make sure it's in the water and such but that doesn't seem to be the issue. Sometimes at WOT it will catch and fly for a few seconds (10-30) then the engine Rpms tach up a little and it slows down to a crawl. If I back it down to 50% throttle she runs fine and we can putter around all day.

Any light you experts could shed on this for me?
 
Try changing the tilt position of the motor with the tilt pin. Tuck the motor all the way in. Are all your passengers sitting in front of the boat when you're using it ??
 
Wow, I certainly feel less than prepared now if that is all the problem is. Normally we have people on both ends of the boat and it does sit a little low in the rear (weight i am guessing). I will head out this weekend and adjust the tilt and see if that takes care of the problem.

Would the pitch of the propeller be the reason the tilt pin was moved? Someone had a 23 degree pitch prop on it when i bought it, but the guy at the boat shop said that boat really needed a 15 degree. The pin is currently in the position that keeps the prop and engine at a 90 degree angle with the boat, so farthest hole from the hull.
 
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