Tracker Pro Team 175 Question

[reerok]

Hi All,

I'm a big fan of all the input here at BassResource.com.  Been a lurker for a while and it's time to join in.  So I'll start with a question:

I picked up a 1999 Bass Tracker Pro Team 175 with a '99 Merc 9.9 (my home lake is a HP restricted lake) at the end of last year.  While it runs great, it's so slow - significantly slower than similar size/weight boats in my lake.  My tach is sticky so I can't be too sure on true RPM but my best guess is around 3000.  I'm assuming it's a prop issue (too much pitch).  I've removed the prop trying to find what pitch it is but there is no stamp anywhere on it.  

Do any of you know what pitch prop would be best for this boat setup?  Or any other ideas why it might run so slow?

Thanks in advance!

-reerok

[BrianinMD]

Can't answer the prop question, but just keep in mind just because they are running motors that have 9.9hp stickers on them it doesn't mean that is actually a 9.9hp motor. A lot of people have no problem with thinking rules are not made for them and will resticker a larger hp motor to look like a 9.9.

[reerok]

Good point and I am aware of the "cheaters" out there.  That said my boat probably doesn't top 5 mph.  Even a 9.9 on a heavy boat should get a good bit more than that.  And the sound of the motor just never gets that high pitched hum of a 5000 RPM 9.9 motor.

Thanks for your thoughts!

[fishnkamp]

Lets start checking a few things.  Are you running on a portable gas can ot the boats tank?  You may have bad fuel line internally as there is real problems being caused by ethanol fuel.  If this is happening while running on the boats tank try running on a portable tank to troubleshoot. Next you may have gummed up carbs. Try running some Seafoam thru it.  Also try running it on ear muffs on the garden hose.  Try accelerating in neutral just for a few seconds.  If the engine accelerated ok you may have a mismatched prop or even a spun hub on the prop. I used to run a PolarKraft stick steer boat on a restricted lake with a Merc 9.9 4 stroke. It ran about 13 mph by gps.  If you run okay on a portable tank than you need to go to your dealer and have all of your boats fuel lines replaced.  I have done that recently on my Lowe bass boat.  The new fuel lines are ethanol approved.  Also I would replace my spark plugs just to be sure they are good as well.  Let me know if any of these help. Also replace your tach they run about  $60.