94 aquatron prop size

[Sec2005]

Hey, I have a 1994 aquatron 180 with a 3.0 mercruiser in it. The prop size is a 15x19 stainless steel, not sure of the make of it. This past weekend I had four people in it with ice chest and stuff. It wouldn't even try to get out water. When I have just myself it does great, it won't even pull two people on tube with just me in boat. It starts as soon as you hit key engine runs great could I have wrong prop for getting it up out water, or maybe the prop is slippin with weight on it. This is my first ski boat so forgive me for all the questions. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SkiDad]

Sounds like you might be down on power. what rpm did it hit with just you in the boat ? if you are hitting around 4200 drop to 17 pitch - if you are only hitting 4000 drop to 15 or 16. You want the engine to hit 4600 RPM i believe. Getting it to hit the top of the range will allow you to pull much better.

 

[Sec2005]

Well that is one of my problems rpm gauge was working. It is a work in progress. So by pitch that is the 19 right would I keep the 15 still?

 

[Starcraft5834]

with just u in it, note rpms at WOT- (wide open throttle), and your speed, your 3.0 merc is recommended at 4800 WOT.. report back.. best bet for us to help you is report this information first... otherwise it's just guesses... guesses sometimes fix things, sometimes not... Most of us would rather not speculate until more information is presented, Welcome aboard! lots of very knowledgeable boaters here, there's not much ground that one of us has not encountered before.. get back to us

 

[steelespike]

You'll need to get a working tach both to evaluate what you have and to tell how any changes work out
Also need the speed by gps.
I think the 180 is a 17 footer.Typically a boat like yours with a 19" pitch 3.0 would have a good hole shot.
With a light load would run close to 40 @ close to max rpm.Would pull a skier.
Do you trim down for hole shot?
A 17" would normally be suggested for water sports with a full boat load.
And would over rev with a light load.
I suspect something is up with your motor.Could be as easy as a plug wire off,Throttle not opening all the way.
Check the the timing is set right and advancing as it should.
You should do a compression check. Note the location and condition of the plugs as you remove them for the compression check.