Yep, Depending on the set-up, a prop can make a big difference in the performance. Basically changing a prop is akin to changing gears.
I had a buddy with a nice fast Bass boat a few years back, he could not get it on plane with just two of us in the boat at Strawberry, it would run 60 plus and jump up on plane at Lake Powell, and the lower elevation lakes where he fished most of the time. He didn't fish up there enough to switch props so he just lived with it.
I fish out of a 17 foot Gregor Aluminum with a 50 horse 4 stroke merc. I can get it up on plane at the berry with 2 avg people and my dog add another not really. It bogs down and runs much slower. I do have another prop, but it is so seldom that I have issues I havent experimented with it. The one I'm running does well in a variety of situations.
One interesting observation I have made is I can run 3 to 4 miles an hour faster in the morning if it is cool, than in the afternoons. At Jordanelle several mornings I could hit 27 MPH with avg load. But when done fishing and heading back about 23 tops it out. Noticed similar better performance at the berry although not quite as fast. At lake Poweel it will go a bit over 30. Finally figured out it is due to the colder air temps. Runs faster in the cold morning air. Cold air I know is denser so maybe that helps with the fuel air mix not sure? But whenever its a cool/cold morning it definitely runs faster?
I had a buddy with a nice fast Bass boat a few years back, he could not get it on plane with just two of us in the boat at Strawberry, it would run 60 plus and jump up on plane at Lake Powell, and the lower elevation lakes where he fished most of the time. He didn't fish up there enough to switch props so he just lived with it.
I fish out of a 17 foot Gregor Aluminum with a 50 horse 4 stroke merc. I can get it up on plane at the berry with 2 avg people and my dog add another not really. It bogs down and runs much slower. I do have another prop, but it is so seldom that I have issues I havent experimented with it. The one I'm running does well in a variety of situations.
One interesting observation I have made is I can run 3 to 4 miles an hour faster in the morning if it is cool, than in the afternoons. At Jordanelle several mornings I could hit 27 MPH with avg load. But when done fishing and heading back about 23 tops it out. Noticed similar better performance at the berry although not quite as fast. At lake Poweel it will go a bit over 30. Finally figured out it is due to the colder air temps. Runs faster in the cold morning air. Cold air I know is denser so maybe that helps with the fuel air mix not sure? But whenever its a cool/cold morning it definitely runs faster?
time spent fishing isn't deducted from ones life