Merc Inline won't pull up skier

**SS Minnow** · 08-20-2019, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by kswiatk

Do you know what prop pitch you were running?

I have the newer adi ignition instead of the distributor, and everything checks out on it.

Sorry about that, I know it is a key piece of info. I was running an aluminum 17p, and would hit about 40 at 5500. Not verified on gps, hell gps cost as much as the boat back then, but my younger brother that weighed a bit over 100 at the time could step off of a ski and barefoot behind it. That was only with me as the driver and the lightest spotter that was there.

**kswiatk** · 08-20-2019, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by Capt.Insane-o

If you have a dva meter check the voltage to the red wires on the switch boxes as you accelerate..and then the white and black wires.

https://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemD...BoC5LQQAvD_BwE

I will have to check. I have already swapped to a spare stator and got no difference unfortunately

minnow thanks for the info. My boat runs 46 at 5800 with a 17, so it is likely flatter and lighter.
i definetly have some issue with the motor in that case, it’s just a bit difficult to diagnose since it only evident in this specific circumstance

**SS Minnow** · 08-20-2019, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by kswiatk

I will have to check. I have already swapped to a spare stator and got no difference unfortunately

minnow thanks for the info. My boat runs 46 at 5800 with a 17, so it is likely flatter and lighter.
i definetly have some issue with the motor in that case, it’s just a bit difficult to diagnose since it only evident in this specific circumstance

Yeah, you do have issues, sorry.
To add, I was a very good skier way back when. The boat would pop me up in 5 or so seconds if I did my best to get up. If I made myself into an anchor, the time might have doubled. But one way or the other, the boat was going, with or without me.

**Gordon02** · 08-20-2019, 03:36 PM

Guys, I jumped on this thread because I was hoping to read the causes for this. My neighbor has an in-line 90 horse with similar problems. I've been 240 lbs for many years and my friend's old 115 in-line 6 Mercury would pull me and probably another on slalom skis. The boat was quick to plane and never struggled getting us out of the water. Top speed was 36~37 mph on an inaccurate speedo. The old boat was Glastron 15' tri-hull bowrider with walk-thru windshield and ran an aluminum 17" prop. I never liked the boat, but it and that old Mercury were very reliable.

I've owned two Johnson 70's with just 49 CI and both of them would pull me slalom from a dead start. That Merc has 99 CI, so it should pull harder like my friend's did. I look forward to learning more about the results/findings. Gordon

**SS170** · 08-20-2019, 03:42 PM

On my inline, it would start nice, idle well, but wasn’t quite right. I spent the 80 bucks for a spark checker and would easily make a 3/4” spark. Plugs looked fine. A local engine builder (Chris Fairchild) kept telling me to put in new plugs and of course I knew better. After exhausting all other possibilities, I finally put in a set of plugs. Went from 5500rpms to 6800. My point is something that simple could be your issue.

**Merc 2.5** · 08-20-2019, 04:09 PM

Does your boat have a hydrofoil on the lower unit? If not buy one that will make a huge difference, but by all means check or get everything checked out (fire,fuel,comp,) good luck , those planning foils r great. I have one I'll give u to try. if u like it keep it if u dont well keep it neway

**FMP** · 08-20-2019, 04:09 PM

49 mph gps at about 5500 rpm with 13x19 prop

Maybe it's just me but that doesn't seem too strong for 16'?

**Merc 2.5** · 08-20-2019, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by FMP

49 mph gps at about 5500 rpm with 13x19 prop

Maybe it's just me but that doesn't seem too strong for 16'?

No I agree 100% buddy mine has late 79s baja 17 ft closed bow lite boat ,with 115 and snatch neck off , wonder how heavy his baja is?

**kswiatk** · 08-20-2019, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by Merc 2.5

No I agree 100% buddy mine has late 79s baja 17 ft closed bow lite boat ,with 115 and snatch neck off , wonder how heavy his baja is?

Well that is concerning.What should i be seeing?
Someone has definitely redone the floor in the past, so there could be some issues down there.

I got rid of the foil that was on there when I bought it. I change spark plugs for the hell of it.

**FMP** · 08-20-2019, 05:13 PM

Weight, how much extra could it have? Even 500 lbs wouldn't do it, check the motor. You'd see it sitting in the water , freeboard.

**FUJIMO** · 08-20-2019, 06:58 PM

lots a xtra water in tha bilge?

**LakeFever** · 08-21-2019, 07:41 AM

Yeah weight in boat. Have you played with engine height? One or two holes makes a big difference in hole shot.

The v6 omc and yami motas pop up single ski deep water starts in a second or less. It’s more about arm strength than power and as mentioned earlier your ski skill can increase drag and time to plane a lot. The smallest power I ever slalom skiers behind as 85 and it was barely doable. As a kid we skies behind a 12’ tin and a. 9.5

**kswiatk** · 08-21-2019, 08:35 AM

There never water in the bilge, After a few hours there's only a drop or two.The foam could be waterlogged.
Have not played with height, plate is about an inch or so above the bottom, set at the lowest the motor can hang.

**FMP** · 08-21-2019, 08:54 AM

Lugging @ 2800 , plug wires, coils etc?

**CrayzKirk** · 08-21-2019, 10:26 AM

I had similar issues with an 1100SS; however I was trying to use a 19 pitch prop on a Glastron V-178 17' Trihull, a real pig. I got a 16 pitch Stainless Vengeance and that really helped. I switched to a 1350 and it was night and day better. Would pop a skier up on a slalom almost instantly even with three people in the boat. That 115 should be better than my 1350. Make sure the motor is trimmed all the way in when starting out.

Back when I was a kid, the 1100SS would pull my father out of the water on a slalom with a 19 pitch prop on an IMP 16 footer; he was a big man of over 250 pounds, it would make a wall of water in front of him however it would do it. That boat was much lighter. If my father had known about changing the prop, it probably would have popped him up too. I was a lot smaller then and I would come up instantly on a slalom.

I'm curious about the reed cage seals, too.