1. Use the full 4 digit year for everything you are asking your question about. Example: 1962, 1988, 2000, 2011
2. Include the correct name of your Whaler model. Example: Montauk 17, Montauk 170, Outrage 26, Outrage 260
3. Include the length when necessary. Example: 16, 17, 18, 20, 22
4. Do not post your email address anywhere on this site as it is already in your user profile.

Prop Question
BillDemers	#1  Posted on 08/24/13 - 7:57 AM
Member Posts: 146 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/12/12	I have a Mercury Mirage 17p prop and while I was out looking things over I noticed something I hadn't before. At the base of each of the 3 prop ears near the leading edge there is a hole through to the hub area. In that hole is a plug of plastic. The letters PVS or prop ventilation system are inscribed on the plugs, they are about a 1/2 to 3/4of a inch in diameter. Thought I'd ask and see if anyone had any info on these. Thanks , Bill BillD 1999 Dauntless 18' - 135 Mercury Optimax
EaglesPDX	#2  Posted on 08/24/13 - 7:59 AM
Member Posts: 103 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/15/10	http://www.mercurymarine.com/propelle...ogies/pvs/
BillDemers	#3  Posted on 08/24/13 - 8:07 AM
Member Posts: 146 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/12/12	Thanks Eagles BillD 1999 Dauntless 18' - 135 Mercury Optimax
BillDemers	#4  Posted on 08/24/13 - 8:23 AM
Member Posts: 146 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/12/12	I wonder If I could just drill Holes starting small and working up to see if I can get a better Hole shot BillD 1999 Dauntless 18' - 135 Mercury Optimax
EaglesPDX	#5  Posted on 08/24/13 - 8:40 AM
Member Posts: 103 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/15/10	BillDemers wrote: I wonder If I could just drill Holes starting small and working up to see if I can get a better Hole shot If you already have the factory designed PVS system, why not use it and try progressively larger openings in the PVS holes and see how it works?
Tom W Clark	#6  Posted on 08/24/13 - 8:56 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	Yes, you can just drill larger and larger holes in your solid vent plugs. Once you find a size you like, you can leave them as is or go buy the factory vent plugs sized that way. You can mix and match any sizes and put them in in any order; it doesn't really matter. It gets kinda expensive to go out and buy all the different size vent plugs when you are only going to end up using three of them on a MIRAGEplus. The PVS vent plugs are difficult to remove. The best was is to push them all the way in and through, not to try to pry them out which usually destroys them. Use liquid dish soap as a lubricant.
BillDemers	#7  Posted on 08/24/13 - 10:34 AM
Member Posts: 146 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/12/12	Has anyone noted any performance gains by either drilling the solid plugs or installing the predrilled ones? BillD 1999 Dauntless 18' - 135 Mercury Optimax