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I am returning here to update where we are with my Montauk 17 and its performance.

Since my last post I have done the following:

Raised the Mercury 90 HP two stroke so it’s now two holes up, mounted in the third hole.

New bottom paint. Now has a smooth painted bottom.

Installed a Mercury Laser II 13 1/4 20 Pitch SS prop as recommended (eBay find)


After raising the motor I ran it for a year with performance numbers a little better. WOT at 5200 RPM with same load as last test and produced top speed at 34 mph. Similar conditions. This was with my SS 22 pitch prop mentioned and pictured above.

Recently did new bottom paint and installed the new prop. Did some testing this week. Same load, water and conditions. Top speed is still in mid thirties, got it to36 mph but only seeing 5100 rpm at WOT. DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES. Rpm’s will not top 5100 rpm. Closer to 5000.

With two 2 degree reduction in pitch I would have expected an increase in RPM and a bit more speed.using stock tachometer and gaps speed both from my Garmin and my iPhone speed app.

I am beginning to suspect my motor. Could it be starting to tire? Last compression tests showed 110-112 in each of the three cylinders. Motor is 23 years old and I have no idea what hours it has on it. Starts and runs ok otherwise.

I would appreciate any opinions