125 merc on 18' lund

anzomcik

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 26, 2008
Messages
158
This weekend my friend had me ride in his boat to see if an improvement could be done to his rig. So here is his set up 18' Lund fisherman, with a merc 125hp, boat and motor are both 2002 model year.

WOT 4800rpm
Max WOT 5250RPM
Top speed 36mph
Prop merc black max 21P
gear ratio? I couldn't find it anywhere its either a 2.07 or 2.33(something close to that, see it could be in that ball park online, but cant verify)

According to mercs prop finder that motor only option is a 2.07, the theoretical speed is 46.1mph putting slip up to 22% That don't seem right. Any help on the gear ratio would be great.

The boat hole shot feels good, it is sensitive with trim once at speed, more than other boats I been in.

Something I did notice, the edges of the prop were like eaten away, not gone but easily seen when looked at close. It isn't from running shallow as the paint is still on a decent percentage of the edge all the way to its tip, its actually like eroded. I have heard that a prop can create a vacuum void and boil the aluminum edge away, I never seen it pointed out but it almost looks like what I think could be here. I am not saying it is but it isn't sand wearing the edge down. His prop is pretty darn good shape for being 12 years old, only a few very minor dings.

So any info on if you believe the slip can actually be 22% and what's causing the issue with the edge of the blades. The hull is perfect, the bottom is clean, motor runs like a top. Something doesn't seem right.

Thanks
 

jestor68

Commander
Joined
Jun 12, 2012
Messages
2,308
Re: 125 merc on 18' lund

Well, you're at the bottom of your rpm range(4750-5250).

So, it seems that you might benefit from a little less pitch to improve over all performance.

A 19 pitch sounds like it might perform better over all.

You should prop your boat to run at or near the top of it's rpm range with a light load(just you in the boat).
 

Maclin

Admiral
Joined
May 27, 2007
Messages
6,761
Re: 125 merc on 18' lund

The condition of the prop regarding the edges does sound like cavitation. Is there anything odd about the cavitation plate, and is it in good condition, no missing chunks? Does it have a fin on that plate? Anything mounted on the transom that could interrupt water flow, like a transducer or speedo pickup, etc. low and towards the middle of the transom? Is that a vented prop?
 
Top