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I have a bit of a propeller problem.

I just bought a 1967 13' Boston Whaler. It has a 10-1/4" x 14" propeller (48 73138-14) on a 1997 Seapro 40 hp Mercury 2 stroke outboard motor.

With one person and very little gas and no other weight in the boat, at high end the motor will rev. It feels like the propeller is slipping or not grabbing. I suspect this is because the boat may be too light.

I would normally would have two or three people (400 -600 lbs.), a full tank of gas and some fishing gear in the boat.

The above propeller is pretty old and beat up. The edges of the prop are worn and a bit pitted.

The folks at Mercury said it is one of the correct propellers for that motor, however if it ventilates it is because the prop is worn and visa versa.

To make matters worst, I have no tachometer on the boat.

What do you feel would be a good all around prop for this boat with this motor?

Thank for your help!