Merc 115 Power Trim 2 stroke Prop Question

[Opus]

Recently moved up from a small bass boat with a little tiller handle kicker to a used 1986 - 16.5 foot bass boat - So I am used to looking at a cotter pin and prop nut to pull.

The boat and motor run great, although there seems to be some sluggishness out of the hole...not bogging down, just a lot of throttle throw/delay when trying to get up to speed. Reading some other threads I saw recommendations to check for fishing line, etc. around the prop shaft. Easy enough - I'll go pull the prop and take a look...

Well, newbie to man sized motors that I am, I saw one of these prop rings you see below and had no idea how to deal with it.

I spent some time on the internet and saw some saying use a screwdriver to pry up the tabs and others that said a prop ring tool and a prop puller is needed.

Can anyone help me out in the removal, replacement technique? Does it just snap back into place?

And while I am probably dipping in the well too many times here AND looking like the proverbial rookie, is there a Sheer Pin inside??? With my little kicker, I would carry 3 or 4 spare sheer pins whenever I went out. Of course, there was no skeg on that kicker so throwing a sheer pin happened a few times over the years.

Looking at the blades on the prop, there is some chipping around the edges - nothing bent and no chunks missing - should I use my dremel and sharpen those blades like a good lawn mower blade?

 

[bullbat]

Re: Merc 115 Power Trim 2 stroke Prop Question

ok first all that ring is is a lock ring just bend the tabs up with a screwdriver or whatever and remove the nut. depending on the condition of the foot and the prop is to wether it will easily slide off or be a pain in the $%#, just have to try and see. as for a shear pin no it doesnt have one u would have a rubber hub prop. on a nother not, the fishing line isnt goin to affect ur hole shot it will just eat the seals up, sounds like u either have some problems on the bottom end power with the engine or u need a smaller prop the get a better hole shot

 

[Opus]

Re: Merc 115 Power Trim 2 stroke Prop Question

Thanks much Bull...I'm still learning how to use the boards - Rookie that I am....I reported this over to the Prop Topic board. I appreciate your response.

I hope the Admin Mods will forgive me and remove this thread from here :redface:

 

[nativetexantim73]

Re: Merc 115 Power Trim 2 stroke Prop Question

try a 19 pitch prop or a 18 pitch prop. the lower the pitch the higher the rpms, the higher the pitch the lower the rpms. 18 or 19 would be good for you. And at WOT (Wide Open Throttle) you want your tach to read around 5200 to 5500 rpm.