07-20-2017, 11:51 PM
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]Todays engines are pretty much controlled with an on-board computer that constantly monitors engine and atmospheric conditions and adjusts accordingly. My last boat had a 2005 Merc Optimax and it had that feature back then. The jetting on your motor shouldn't be an issue.[/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]Other than the fact that unless that motor is the max hp for your boat - and I don't think it is for a 16 Tracker - you are seriously underpowered for that boat. My 16ft Tracker was rated at 90hp Max back in 2005 and I was underpowered with the 75 Optimax. But it is now water over the damn and you will have to live with it for now. Your answer lies in what everybody has said so far - it's the pitch of the prop letting you down. As you go up in altitude, the pitch number on your prop needs to be smaller. Example: I use a 17P in the lakes close to the Front. When I go to either the Gorge or Strawberry, I switch to a 15P. My engine is a 2017 Merc 150 Four-stroke on a 20ft ThunderJet. My engine is designed to run at full throttle at an RPM range of 5,000 to 5,800 with a bang limit of 5,900. With the 17P at home I'm turning about 5,350 but only about 4,750 at Strawberry. The 15P prop at Strawberry puts me back up to about 5,200.[/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]So go back to Fred's (they are really great folks to deal with) and discuss your prop options. And by all means, check your RPMs locally to see if you are in the full throttle range here at home. My boat came with a 19P which only got me 4,800 at home (Willard being the closest water). The dealer swapped out the 19P for the 17P with no questions and I bought the 15P for a spare and for higher elevation fishing. Hope this helps.[/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]Other than the fact that unless that motor is the max hp for your boat - and I don't think it is for a 16 Tracker - you are seriously underpowered for that boat. My 16ft Tracker was rated at 90hp Max back in 2005 and I was underpowered with the 75 Optimax. But it is now water over the damn and you will have to live with it for now. Your answer lies in what everybody has said so far - it's the pitch of the prop letting you down. As you go up in altitude, the pitch number on your prop needs to be smaller. Example: I use a 17P in the lakes close to the Front. When I go to either the Gorge or Strawberry, I switch to a 15P. My engine is a 2017 Merc 150 Four-stroke on a 20ft ThunderJet. My engine is designed to run at full throttle at an RPM range of 5,000 to 5,800 with a bang limit of 5,900. With the 17P at home I'm turning about 5,350 but only about 4,750 at Strawberry. The 15P prop at Strawberry puts me back up to about 5,200.[/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]So go back to Fred's (they are really great folks to deal with) and discuss your prop options. And by all means, check your RPMs locally to see if you are in the full throttle range here at home. My boat came with a 19P which only got me 4,800 at home (Willard being the closest water). The dealer swapped out the 19P for the 17P with no questions and I bought the 15P for a spare and for higher elevation fishing. Hope this helps.[/#800000][/font]
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Bob Hicks, from Utah
I'm 82 years young and going as hard as I can for as long as I can.
"Free men do not ask permission to bear arms."
I'm 82 years young and going as hard as I can for as long as I can.
"Free men do not ask permission to bear arms."