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View Full Version : Merc Chopper Questions??????


jeffbare
08-02-2005, 12:41 AM
I have a 28" Chopper with the weed cutters. I keep seeing threads that say the weed cutters have been removed. Is there an advantage to having them removed, and if so what is it. I also see people refering to differnt cut choppers for example an "ET". Can people name, and explain what the different cut are and do? Thanks for all the input.
Jeff
pyro
08-02-2005, 06:31 AM
Removing weedcutters seems to help holeshot and acceleration. Extra cupping in the tips and trailing edges will improve severla aspects: Better holeshot with less slippage, better acceleration, and HUGE bow lift.

"Cuts" to choppers can change many aspects of their performance. Many cuts involve removing leading edge blade area. This improves acceleration and top end speed with lighter boats that don't need the "big blade" bow lift. The ET cut involves removing trailing edge blade area, reducing the blade rake, among other things. This cut also runs well on lighter boats, STV's, etc. Alabama/Allison, Bullet, ET, "Hoss style", etc, are all examples of "cut" choppers. Randy "AQUAHOLIC" invented his own "hybrid" cut, it runs somewhere betewwn an ET and a full-blade chopper.

-Chad
jeffbare
08-02-2005, 01:44 PM
Is removing the weed cutters as easy as simply having them cut off?
Jeff
pyro
08-02-2005, 04:16 PM
Yes, and no. It's hell on the grinder wheels, you'll need several of them to complete the job. Bolt it to a bench upside down and grind away. I have been told that a few of them have hollow pockets there in the cutters that might be exposed with the grinding. Some shops cut the leading edges up the hub as much as an inch, with supposed gains in acceleration; other shops refuse to do this because they say it may weaken the blade.
jeffbare
08-02-2005, 04:49 PM
I am planning on running the boat tonight with the chopper on it and make a decision if I need to do anything. Thanks,
Jeff
pyro
08-02-2005, 05:18 PM
If you like the way it runs, get a 26 next, and get it re-worked as I described, lose the cutters, add a little extra cuping to the tips and trailing edges, and hang on! these mods will yield 28'ish pitch.

If you lose significant top end, get the leading edge cut a little bit to reduce drag associated with the full blade area.