Boat
2013 1860 swvf4 (.125/5086)
Weight- 760 lbs according to excel website
3 batteries
75 lb thrust Trolling motor
10 gallon fuel

Motor
2015 Gator tail the 35L with stage 1. ( heads, cam, billet push rods, marshmellow exhaust). New 30 inch lower and new handle.
Pin was in the 2nd hole from the top.

3 blade
Open deep water speed 27.4
No wind
Rpms 3980

2 blade
Open deep water speed 25.3
No wind
Rpms 4220

These speeds were with me in the boat@ 220 pounds.

(2 blade)
Ran the boat today with the 2 and 3 blade. Started with the 2 blade and noticed a little more vibration around 3500 rpms than the 3 blade. I was able to gain a few more rpms than 3 blade but my speeds weren't as good as the 3 blade. Did not put a load in the boat during the test.

3 blade had a better hole shot along with top end. Right at 2 mph faster than the 2 blade. 3 blade had No vibration and was very smooth. Did not put a load in the boat for test.

So my overall review.....my heavier boat ran faster and smoother with the 3 blade with a little lower rpms. New motor is very smooth and runs great. Verdict still out on a good sized load using both props.

Nice review! I do think u should be lil faster tho have u moved pin up or down any?

well done Pete !

What's the latest, Pete? I have a hard time believing your sport v ran better than a stage 1 gtr. Nevertheless, it's not all about speed.

Verdict is what I got posted. Believe it or not that's all I can get out of her until another idea comes about. I will say that the gtr is way beyond the sport v was out of the hole and with torque for sure. With that being said I anticipate the load carrying to be above and beyond the v also. Weather here has sucked bad so tiller time has been.minimal.

Pete,
I have a new stock 2015 GTR 35 scheduled to arrive in late July and I have a similar rig to yours, being an Excel F86 1860. I am looking for your advice on whether you are finding the regular GTR handle to be long enough to reach while comfortably sitting in the seat. I assume we have a very similar setup for the seat position. I know Gator -Tail offers an extended handle so if I need to order one I'd like to get that done before it's too late. Thanks!
Directed towards anyone within the Wisconsin area of the Midwest: I also planned on getting a Stage 1 done through Gator-Tail, but I had to work some magic just to get the motor on a shipment up here to Johnson's in Wisconsin with short notice. Bubba was awesome in pushing that through for me and the GT customer service showed true. So stock she will come unfortunately. The goal is to get some mod work done after the motor arrives, but being limited in this area I was thinking an Illowa kit or Muddy Waters in La Crosse. I see Mark is turning out his own heads but not much for reviews. I have done a lot of research but I'm looking to see if any new testimonials pop up here regarding experiences with the mod shops and the products around here. I'm for sure looking at a Mikuni, heads and valves, and exhaust as the basics in mind. I'm thinking waiting off on the cam until the case gasket goes.. Any other recommendations to better push the "turd"? Thanks

Had a good ride today with MuddyWaterMallards (corey) .
Boat ran good and I am still pleased with it. Speeds still at the 27.4 to 27.6. No complaints so far.

You gotta think about transom angle. The excel is set up at 15 or 16 degrees, whichever a mud buddy favors. (Can't remember) and a gtr favors a 20 deg. Transom angle. You are gonna lose a little bit on that difference.

I think Excel is 17* transom or something like that. But Pete is running a F4. That's an Excel.

Well I'm glad it runs good for ya. If mine ran any better I wouldn't know how to act. I do have to get a new prop and you have me wondering 3 blade or 2 big blade prop

Like others have said on here, depends on the water,mud,or grass that you run. There isn't much grass where I run so I don't have any problems with the 3 blade clogging up.

It's been a while since I posted but I adjusted my valve lash the other day and the results were....

Some how gained 400 rpms and gained 1.5 mph. This all with adding my buddy to the boat as well, 250 pounds and a full 11gallons of fuel. I was scratching my head because I haven't adjusted or messed with anything else since the last time I drove it. There is no way the prop got worn down any because the boat hasn't moved. Any ideas fellas???

Nobody??

Your boat might run better with a little bit of weight in it. Especially if its up front. Were any of your valves really tight or loose?

U can get a 16-20 degree option on your transom