Prop wear

[billows]

My 6hp Mariner on honwave 3.5 on occasion suddenly revs up and loses drive, often when punching into a tide. Engine seems to run fine in a tank. It is probably ventilation, I suppose
I have noticed some wear on the prop. Could a small outboard suffer from cavitation?

[GARYSHORT]

Cavitation. Add a hydrofoil Dohl-Fin.

[Steve509926]

If it's more noticable when you're "punching into a tide" your prop is probably lifting out of the water when riding through/over a wave.
Is your OB on a packer or is it sat on the transom?
Does it make any difference if you drop a trim hole?

[Fenlander]

Deffo ventilation not cavitation. Just need to tweak your setup as Steve says. Engine height and trim angle plus basic boat trim due to weight distribution.

This assumes boat fully to pressure with a trusted gauge.

[billows]

I pump the boat using Itwit electric pump, so pressure should be near enough.
I tried the first two trim holes, so will try the third. There is no packing.
I guess the wear is just normal abbrasion

[Fenlander]

Yes your prop paint wear is minimal.