10-19-2017, 09:02 PM
A lot of good information above, some of it I think is wrong, but without seeing your boat, and experiencing it myself, a lot of possibilities exist.
The attached link will get you to your correct prop.
[url "https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/propellers/selector/#!/step-one"]https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/propellers/selector/#!/step-one[/url]
You may need to take your boat and trailer to a weigh station, then deduct the weight of the trailer, but you can follow the directions and get the exact prop for your boat, motor, elevation, etc.
Had whaletails, on boats from 14 to 18 feet, and they smooth out the ride and get you on plane a little quicker, but unless you are right on the edge of getting on plane, then it won't increase speed. In fact, it can reduce it a mph or two. On bigger boats, like my 18 footer, I use to break my hydrofoils/whaletails about once every 2 years. Hopping waves at 30 mph is hard on them.
What you are experiencing is why I always tell people to buy the biggest motor a boat is rated for when they buy. The dealers try to sell a smaller motor, telling you it goes faster then it really will. It cuts the overall cost, sells more boats, and they get a bigger mark-up.
In short, NO BOAT DEALER is your friend. They are no better, even worse, then a car salesman. A car salesman thinks he might get you back in the future but most boat dealers expect only one sell per customer, ever.
Good luck on your efforts, but, I suggest you look at the nameplate on the boat and see what the max motor size is. Use the link I gave you, look for the best prop, at the expected elevation, and it will tell you your max speed. I have found the link to be extremely accurate.
[fishin]
[signature]
The attached link will get you to your correct prop.
[url "https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/propellers/selector/#!/step-one"]https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/propellers/selector/#!/step-one[/url]
You may need to take your boat and trailer to a weigh station, then deduct the weight of the trailer, but you can follow the directions and get the exact prop for your boat, motor, elevation, etc.
Had whaletails, on boats from 14 to 18 feet, and they smooth out the ride and get you on plane a little quicker, but unless you are right on the edge of getting on plane, then it won't increase speed. In fact, it can reduce it a mph or two. On bigger boats, like my 18 footer, I use to break my hydrofoils/whaletails about once every 2 years. Hopping waves at 30 mph is hard on them.
What you are experiencing is why I always tell people to buy the biggest motor a boat is rated for when they buy. The dealers try to sell a smaller motor, telling you it goes faster then it really will. It cuts the overall cost, sells more boats, and they get a bigger mark-up.
In short, NO BOAT DEALER is your friend. They are no better, even worse, then a car salesman. A car salesman thinks he might get you back in the future but most boat dealers expect only one sell per customer, ever.
Good luck on your efforts, but, I suggest you look at the nameplate on the boat and see what the max motor size is. Use the link I gave you, look for the best prop, at the expected elevation, and it will tell you your max speed. I have found the link to be extremely accurate.
[fishin]
[signature]