Re: 1969 650 ss merc how can i make it go faster?
At 34 mph, it sounds like you're doing pretty good as it is. Not that there isn't room for improvement. Quite often, the easiest miles per hour are the most easily overlooked...<br /><br />Is the motor in top tune? All four cylinders are pumping out even compression numbers? Timing is set at maximum advance? Carbs are properly synched and fully opening? Motor is set at optimum trim angle? Propeller is in PERFECT condition - no nicks, dings, etc. Skeg is in good shape with no dings. Motor is set at optimum height? (It shouldn't be any deeper than it needs to be to plane the boat off without ventilating the propeller.) Boat's bottom is straight and true? No excess water in bilge? All hull flotation is free of water intrustion/saturation? <br /><br />You may find you can pick up a few free miles per hour just through some minor tweaking...<br /><br />When you're done with that, then it might be time to look for a more aggressive prop. A prop with a bit of cup and some rake to it might allow you to trim it out a bit further, lifting more of the bow out of the water.<br /><br />The "downside" of all this is that it reqires lots of "testing" - at least that's what I tell my wife when I jump in the boat for another boat ride!
<br />- Scott
