Have a new FM165, looking for some advice on props and some other things.

[Tiggyboot]

Hi everyone. Thanks for taking time to help me out. I've done some reading through the posts here, didn't find quite what I was looking for. Yesterday I took my new boat out for it's maiden voyage. It's an 09 FM165, black with a 60hp 4stroke Merc on it. First thing I noticed was that it's not propped right. The boat is very sluggish off the line and poor top speed. RPM's barely break 5000. Should be more around 5800RPM. The prop on there is a BlackMax, 10.125" Diameter, 15pitch, I believe part# is 48-73140A40. Oddly enough, when you use the merc prop selector, it comes up with this as ideal for all round performance. I can't believe that. It also shows a 10.375", 14P as a possibility. I know the motor is still new and tight...but it didn't change much after a total of about 4 hrs. run time. I would say top speed to be at best 26mph. It has to be better then this. The motor is mounted all the way down on the transom, just in case you were curious.

As for the other questions. I noticed my trim indicator might not be calibrated correctly. When the motor is down and I'm up and running (planing) The trim needle is pretty much right at the bottom, it moves to about a quarter from the bottom when I'm in the sweet spot. Should it not be maybe more in the center? I saw the transducer for the trim indicator on the motor. Has anyone adjusted this or the output on the gauge? Speaking of gauges. Is it easy to centre them? Mine are all turned at different angles, installer must have been drunk lol.

That's about it. Love the boat and the quality. I tried out the live well, is the automatic setting on a timer? Works well whatever the case. Also, anyone have a foggy looking windshield? I tried soapy water, then Plastex, still looks cloudy. Might have to get replaced under warranty. Last question. for some reason, my paperwork package didn't come with an owners manual. What is the ACC switch for on the console? is that a switch for the 12VDC outlet?


thanks again for the help.

Marcel
Ontario Canada

 

[lakertaker165]

Re: Have a new FM165, looking for some advice on props and some other things.

martel i have the same boat with a 50 2stroke it came with a 103/8 by 13 quick silver prop im geting around 30 mph at 5400 rpm i think you need to go to that prop size. my trim guage is the same way cant figure it out. other than that i love the boat, you will get better hole shot and alittle more speed out of the new prop . but remember the way the haul is designed it was made for a dry and smooth ride. so if you change props and get 33 to 35 mph i would say thats not to bad. the fm165 is a excelent fishing boat.

 

[gjblanchard]

Re: Have a new FM165, looking for some advice on props and some other things.

I've got a FM165 with a 50 2-stroke. The dealer originally propped it with a 10x17, which was terrible. I finally wound up with a 10.5x13 and with the right prop I get about 29 MPH and no more breakout on corners.

My trim gauge reads just the same as yours, and I've never really thought about changing how it reads.

It's a great boat - enjoy!

 

[Tiggyboot]

Re: Have a new FM165, looking for some advice on props and some other things.

Thanks for the reply. Can't believe your dealer put on a 17" pitch prop. Wow, thought my dealer was clueless lol. Which prop did you go with? Is it a Black Max? How is the holeshot with the 13? My dealer did some calculations for me and came up with some prop suggestions, I'd like to post them but they are a bit too big. I can email to whomever wants them. What's interesting is that when I go onto the Merc. Prop selector website, I don't get those numbers. Merc. doesn't have Lowe as a boat selection either. Go figure, sister companies lol.

 

[gjblanchard]

Re: Have a new FM165, looking for some advice on props and some other things.

The prop I wound up with that works very well is a Mercury Quicksilver 48-816704A40, QA2076R prop. It is apparently the "large blade" 10.5 x 13 prop and it is perfect with my 50 HP 2-stroke. I also have a Cobra "Angler" plate on the motor and it seems to help it get up on plane very quickly. I've had good performance from the 10.25 x 14 prop but the 10.5 x 13 prop seems to be less prone to break-out when cornering.

Hope this helps.

 

[rouge1]

Re: Have a new FM165, looking for some advice on props and some other things.

I have an 09 FM165 with the 60hp 4 strk, and I changed to a 10 5/8 x 12P mercury prop. That solved my problems, runs smooth no complaints.

 

[Tiggyboot]

Re: Have a new FM165, looking for some advice on props and some other things.

Hey Rouge. Thanks for the reply. What rpms do you hit at wide open? I'm on the fence as to whether to get the Turning Point 12P or the Merc 12P. Always good to stay factory when you can. My dealer offered the Merc. prop for cost,$128 CDN. They aren't the dealer I bought the boat from. That dealer and I aren't on speaking terms lol.

Come on nice weather!!!!! get here would ya!