4.3L Mercruiser Oil Consumption & Startup Smoke - Troubleshooting

Question
I just bought a boat with a 4.3L w/ 40hrs on it.  It smokes upon start up and burns oil throughout the day.  It's tough to get on plane, but top speed is very good.  Could the wrong prop be the culprit?  O yeah, WOT is 6000rpm.

Answer
My expertise is limited on internal motor problems but is sounds like rings to me.  I don't think you have prop problems.  Just for fun I would run a can of Sea Foam in a tank of gas to make sure everything is clean but it will probable not fix the problem.

Best of Luck

Harvey Chichester
www.boat-bottom-paint.com