No Speed!!!!

I have a 1984 Bass Tracker Guide V-16 that is rated for max 35 hp. I believe that when the boat was new it had a tiller on it as the former owner added remote steering later on. I currently have a 1984 Merc 35 hp with CMC tilt and trim. The Boat has two batteries, one in back, one in front, a trolling motor on the bow and gas tank in the back and I weigh 215. I took the boat out for the first time yesterday and the most I could squeeze out was about 17 mph. I should also add that it has a SS 13 pitch prop. I sure thought that I would be able to get at least 25 mph out of this rig. Is there something I am missing? Also why would a 16 ft boat only be rated for a 35 hp, it seems to me that a 50 hp would be much better?

Many boats with tillers are rated for less hp. My guess is that the boat was desgned for tiller use only. The transom may not be have the capability to hold a larger motor. A larger motor may put to much totque on the transom causing damge My 1710 Lowe is only rated for a 60 hp tiller. It's one big hunken boat.

I have the same boat,but i got a deal on a new 1995 merc 40,4 cyl classic,restamped plate to 45 hp on boat. I weigh 225 ,battery and 6 gal tank in back, battery up front for trolling motor and lots of tackle. I gps'ed at 32mph on calm water. Thinking you should be around 26 or 28 with a 35................Granite

Try running some Sea Foam thru it. Your high speed jets may be clogged up.

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Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

Try running some Sea Foam thru it. Your high speed jets may be clogged up.

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Bill,

I agree and am planning on doing that real soon.

Your probably gonna need a tach to get the prop dialed in. Too much pitch can rob ya blind as bad as too much diameter. Also to see if ya might have a problem like stated.

If that speed isn't from a GPS, don't believe it. Boat speedos are horrible.

It's GPS speed

Is the boat responding to trim or does it plow badly? Does the motor sound to you to be overwinding or lugging? Does it break over and plane or is the bow high at 17? A good start would be to check your throttle at the motor and be sure the cable is adjusted correctly. It may only be going to 3/4 throttle