Re: Prop suggestions
Paddle wheel speedos can be inaccurate and many seem "calibrated to please" (i.e. to show too much). The only accurate speed measure will be GPS, before and after the tabs.<br /><br />The 60 lbs actuators at the lightest setting seem about right (maybe even on the light side) and shouldn't by themselves be able to cause that kind of a speed drop.<br /><br />Adding a lot of weight will slow the boat down significantly, and probably the easiest way to pick up some speed is to put the boat on a diet.<br /><br />Otherwise, are you sure the engine doesn't need a tune-up, or the insides of the hull have not become water-logged over the course of these last few years?<br /><br />To figure out the difference the tabs make, here's an experiment for you: take the actuators off and tie the tabs up with some string. Take the boat for a test run and see how fast she goes. Take note of the running angle of the boat. Now, put the actuators back on, check that the tab angle is correct, and measure the speed again, using the same GPS. Notice again the running angle. If the bow is significantly lower, you'll need to adjust the drive outwards somehow, or adjust the tab angle upwards.<br /><br />You say you had the prop rebuilt. Are you sure they didn't reduce pitch or cupping in that process? That might account for the loss of speed.<br /><br />If your tabs are correctly installed, there's probably little more to be done with them. Then, with some reliable figures for speed, rpm and current pitch, the prop gurus will be able to point you in the right direction. However, unless your current prop is a hopeless case, you have to be realistic about how much speed a different prop will gain you.
