[McGillicuddy]

Just a few things I've learned in my prop search:

1. 4 strokes are heavy - yours is about 170 lbs more than what these transoms relative to the center of gravity were designed for. Keep in mind its also a narrow hull only a 7'6" beam. = Less buoyancy, eh?

2. It seems to me that the most overlooked aspect of correct propping is the shape/geometry of the prop and what it is designed to do. Determine the diameter an pitch of your prop and the name or model number. The latter will tell you what it is designed to do.

3. Check the height of the cavitation plate relative to the keel at neutral trim. Ideal setting seems to be anti-cavitation plate 1/2" to 1-1/2" above the keel. Keel and plate should be parallel when measuring. If the plate is below the keel, that is definitely slowing you down.

4. Not sure what rpms are ideal for your f150 but you're probably close at 5500 so I doubt that's your gremlin. More likely its the attitude of how your boat runs. I'm guessing you probably run bow high and your aft hull is plowing water.

With the extra weight on the transom you almost certainly need a prop with stern-lifting qualities. That's the buzzword for SeaCrafts. If you have trim tabs make sure they're working for you not creating additional drag. If you don't have them, they would help you immensely w/ that 4-stroke. You might also want to consider a foil like a Stingray, Doel-fin or whatever. But your get the same effect with a stout sternlifting 3 blade or probably better in your case a 4 blade prop.

Find out exactly what your prop is first, and share that info. Someone on the site probably has experience with it or knows enough to steer you in the right direction.

Also if you have a baitwell behind your leaning post you might consider moving it toward the pointy end. Same with your batteries if their are situated aft.

One more thing. How did you determine your speed? and if by GPS, make sure settings are reading out mph not knots. If you're reading out knots then your speed is very good.

Good luck.