Was going to give everyone an update. Got a stainless prop from ken at prop gods. He was great to deal with and recommended an 18 pitch quicksilver that is the equivalent to a mercury enertia. The boat performs fantastic. I can cruise at 4400 rpms at 28 mph and although I’ve only run wot for very short periods of time I’ve seem 43 mph top end. At 28 mph it’s burning right at 5 gallons per hour. Hope to get my most efficient cruise dialed in but Ken nailed it with the prop. The top end equals a 5% prop slip and only 11% at cruise speed. I’m very happy with this motor on the 18. And for those asking, Mercury lists this motor (20” shaft) at 363 lbs. my boat will still hold plane down to between 16-18 mph which I think will be fine for me. I’m sure I could get that number down with a different prop but I really like how it’s currently performing. I’m glad I went with the mercury over the Suzuki and saved the weight, as the Merc seems to have plenty of power for me. I just wish it would have been available in white.
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