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new motor, prop question, what to expect from dealer?
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new motor, prop question, what to expect from dealer?
My new Wellcraft 180 fisherman with 140 Johnson 4-stroke after break-in does about 5200 RPM @ WOT. According to the owner's manual, I should be looking at 5500-6000 RPM. The boat goes to the dealer end of this week for its 10 hr service. I'll be mentioning the WOT issue to the dealer, and was wondering what the expectation for corrective action is? I think the boat shipped from the factory with its current prop (don't know the dimensions)--should the dealer be putting on another prop to bring the motor's performance within specs, or should I be doing the experimenting ($$)? Just wondering what's considered 'normal' on the dealer's part. Or could there be other reasons why I can't get the correct RPMs if the motor is propped correctly?
Thanks!
RE: new motor, prop question, what to expect from dealer?
It sounds like you simply need 2" less pitch in the prop. I think new boats are often propped correctly by the factory, but as soon as you add all of your gear, a full tank of gas, a couple extra people onboard, etc, the WOT rpm's decrease from the extra weight. I would certainly ask the dealer to try the change. Otherwise, a prop shop will possibly work a trade with you. Good luck.
RE: new motor, prop question, what to expect from dealer?
In a perfect world the dealer has an obligation to make the boat/motor perform as it should. Owners manual says 55-6000 rpm then that is what it should do.
__________________ Cape Horn 17, Yamaha F115
with
Elmo the Boat Dog
RE: new motor, prop question, what to expect from dealer?
In my experience new boats are almost always over proped. The prop that comes with the boat is ok for a fresh water lake, 5knt. tail wind, 1 thin person and 1/2 tank of fuel. When you add gear, people, fuel, tide and wind the equation changes. You want your rpm's to be in the upper end of the specified range at wot under normal conditions. Talk to your dealer and he may work with you but more likely you are on your own. Make sure that when you do start testing new props you use a source that will let you try different sizes until you find the right one. If you can find a prop repair shop that can be a good source for the prop and information. Also you can look up Powertech props on the internet. They can recommend a size over the phone and if the prop is not correct they will exchange it for a small fee.
RE: new motor, prop question, what to expect from dealer?
You should be able to get close to the upper limit with a light load, while maintining the WOT rpm isomewhee in the window when loaded up. Therefore, Isuspec the wrong prop is on the engine. Just an FYI, this should all happen at somewhere near mid trim. Otherwords the engine should not be tucked all the way in. I suspect you are in need for a different prop. Most dealers will make good on the prop if within a reasonable time. Just take the postion that you wanted to wait the 10hrs to make sure the engine was broken in first before bringing up any issues. It is possible the dealer changed out the prop, or the one that came with the boat was put on the shelf, and once you bought the boat they just made an error on which one goes on the boat. If the boat was in the dealers inventory, I bet you dollars to doughnuts that the prop was not on the boat when on display! Props are high theft items!
new motor, prop question, what to expect from dealer? 
