John,
Some have reportedly picked up speed by blocking off the outside water pick up slots. It may also bring your water pressure back down. It seems to me that a little sandpaper and some Bondo would work for a relatively easy low cost test.
Sprague

Thanks, I'll try that next.

why don't you guy's just plug the holes and pick up water elswhere. then you would eleviate all of your issues in one shot. then you won't have any prop disturbance.

Treadwell

Eric, Good idea, however we have lots of long weeds were we keep the boat and I was getting really tired of cleaning sea strainers on my last boat on almost every outing. The Bravo pickups are a great idea if they can be designed properly. This shouldn't have to be a customer fix, in the driveway!

John B.: Send me an e-mail with your phone #. I am very interested in your work on the sportmaster lower.

[email protected]

john,

good point. i would have to agree.

Treadwell

What do you guys feel the speed difference would between transom water pickups and nosecone water pickups?
John B those water slots do look a little strange to me. Are they stock merc?
This is what an outboard sportsmaster looks like

another view

you would probabley gain 5-10mph ( depending on the boat of course)

here's why. if you fill in the holes there will no loger be disturbance to the prop. if you call mercury and get the specs to the lower unit and sand it to spec that alone is three mile an hour.with the longer skeg you can raise the x dimension or go with the shortie. do not shorten the skeg. you will lose handling.
Treadwell

there is one trick if you don't want to go throught all that stuff.

as the slot comes in and stops continue the slot so the water continues throught. this helps lower the water pressure and disturbance to the prop.

Treadewell