high rpm works good on light boats, especially if the engine has been modified, for heavy boats like the v, proping the mercs out to the 5300-5500 works out pretty good. try a 17p Mirage plus, it has very low slippage, doesn't need a lot of trim, and works well on heavier boats

The 200 MERCS were 5800 WOT stock, and the 150/175's were 5500. I know my 150 XRI I had would fall flat on it's face at 5600, even jacking the jack plate up and letting it blow out would barely get more than 5600. The 200's had ALOT different porting and the different front case half that helped up high in the RPM's.

I keep forgeting we are talking baout a 150, I remeber how small the exhaust outlet is in the mid section of the smaller motors. Had a freind that built a 200, could never get it to run like he thought it should, took the power head off and discovered he had a 135/150 mid, we replaced it with a 200 mid, it ran like it was supposed to tehn. I still thin k tht 17 Mirage pluss would be a good prop, it will probably pull the rpms down to at least 5400

A 17 MIRAGE would proably work REALLY good for economy and cruising. He may even need a 19 if he has a 2.0L with the 2:1 lower unit. I just bought the MICHIGAN WHEEL equivelant off of EBAY for $150 shipped. The MIRAGES pop up on there for $125-150 on occasion in nice condition.

I've ha real good luck with the Mirage plus, on general purpose heavier boats, they work real good, the original mirage is a little too much for an outboard, thet work real good on big engine I/O's. We hada guy spinning a 27p original mirage 5200 rpm thur a 1.32 ratio, it ouwl get just above the century mark on the land& Sea speedo, he sent it to Mercury and had it lab finished, slowed it down 7 mph, bought another stock wheel, picked it right back up

For me a 17p Rev 4 is the perfect prop on my 87 V w/ an 88' 2.0 l 150 Merc on the back. She turns 5500 with virtually any load. She's mounted 1 hole from the top and I find that to be the perfect height for this motor / prop / boat combo.

The REV 4 is a good prop, and many have said the new ENERTIA works REALLY well on boats in this size range. I only mention the MIRAGE style because they can be had for VERY reasoneable money if you watch EBAY and CRAIGSLIST. And the large diameter really helps to get your cruising speed up there, and it holds the water with a death grip.

Plus, whent the boat fills up with water the lower pitched prop will still dig you out - right MJ?!? :zip:

You definitely have a 2.0L with those numbers. Try raising the motor a few holes up, you might pick up a few MPH. 35mph for a 2.0L . . . is not too far off.

Spare's right on on the Mirage prop...mine got 42 mph @ 6,000 rpms w/a 17 x 15.5 Mirage...had to go w/a 17 x 15.25 Power Tech on my Honda, but the Mirage oughtta do GREAT on yer Merc...