Won't pull out of the hole.

[bobbyrupp04]

I just bought an o4 caravelle 187. It has the 4.3 Merc with 220 horse. The prop pitch is 21 and will not pull a skiier out of the hole. The boat will run 45 mph with seven people in it. I was told I might need a 19 or 20 pitch, but need to know the top end RPMs. My problem is that my RPM gauge is not reading. Anyone have a similar pulling issue or know how to fix the gauge? Thanks!!

 

[Robbabob]

Re: Won't pull out of the hole.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=287818

fill in more information from the link. Also, you need a tach to give real answers for good input. Does sound like you need to prop down, but we need to know your wot rpm.

 

[fossill]

Re: Won't pull out of the hole.

9 times out of 10 you end up replacing the tach.
Check your connections.
I'm assuming it's an 18 foot bowrider in which case it should easily handle a 21 pitch prop in a 3 or 4 blade model, providing your engine is in tip top working order unless of course you got a poor quality prop on there. From experience I'd say no lower than a 20 pitch in a 4 blade Merc aluminum or BayPro II stainless model and 19 pitch if you want to go the Hi5 route.