what would help my speed

[mbarone]

I'm new to this forum and fairly new to boating. I have an aluminum 12' duranautic v hull with a 1971 9.5hp Johnson. It seems to preform pretty well with just me in the boat (plus battery, trolling motor, 6 gal of gas and 2 small anchors) but as soon as a second person is in it, it makes a huge difference. I'm curious about why this happens because a buddy of mine has a 14' aluminum v hull with an 8hp mercury that absolutely flies with 3-4 people and all the gear I have in mine. Is a Mercury just naturally a better motor than a Johnson? Or would just a prop change help me out?

On another note, I changed the gear oil in the lower end and it was a milky white, would that indicate water getting in somewhere?

Thank you in advance for any suggestions you may have.

 

[Bondo]

Re: what would help my speed

would that indicate water getting in somewhere?

Yes...

Try changing the trim pin/ trim attitude of the motor, with the extra person on-board...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: what would help my speed

Are you certain the engine is making full power? If not a prop change does no good. Without a tach you will never know. I suspect the difference is in the boats. Also, loading up a 12 footer is different than loading up a 14 footer.

 

[steelespike]

Re: what would help my speed

Check the prop size usually on the barrel near the base of the blades.Is the prop in excellent shape?Motor in erxcellent tune throttle plate opening all the way?I agree ^I suspect your 12 footer is actually 11' something probably pretty narrow.a big 12 or even 14 or a 16 (barebones boat) might be faster with a load.
our 15' utility with a 25 Gale would barely plane with 4 people we changed to
a 18' same motor it planed 6 easily.

 

[boben2830]

Re: what would help my speed

There is no way a 14' boat will fly with an 8 hp. You may need a 25 hp...