[McGillicuddy]

John,
You may want to reconsider Denny's suggestion re. the gear change, and experiment a little with props. Determine exactly what your prop is and what it is designed to do. I know you mentioned your mechanic's comment about the previous config being quicker and faster, but was it set up for hardcore fishing like your beauty? And was the prop the same. Any number of props can get you the right rpm range but they will all get different performance numbers.

You are running a heavy boat with a heavy fishing load, and a parachute of a top. Even so I can't help but think you can get more top end out of your power package. I really think the answer is in your propping.

I went to a Merc Black Max (for its stern lifting attributes) and was very pleased. Best 100 bucks I've spent so far.

Before testing I added 4-500 more lbs of gear, water, and gas than I ran on my last tests with the old MWC Vortex, and after changing props I gained 3mph and much better cruise performance in the 3000-4000 rpm range. I haven't done an economy test yet because my flow meter was on the blink.

Good luck achieving your target speed and have fun slamming the Salmonids.