So my buddy just bought a Gator Trax with the 37EFI PD and it is crawling out of the water. Once on step, if you call it that, it only runs 20mph. What could be the issues that contribute to such a slow speed. I have never seen this before from a brand new boat leaving Gator Trax. Trimmed up and down between 3900 and 4450 the best speed we can get is 20mph. We considered weight distribution and all the typical stuff but cannot figure it out. Is this motor that weak?

I am pretty sure since PD had to do the rigging, not too likely that they let that slip. I have not measured it myself but this just seems odd. Also when hammering down on the throttle from a dead stop it just seems that the motor is under a pretty good load. I have a stage 2 PD and it is a world of difference how mine gets up and the gator trax.

This was also running it in its unloaded state. The boat barely planes out and the waterline shooting from under the boat while running is in the front 1/4 section of the boat.... if that makes any sense. The fricking think just does not want to get up and go!

I would just call PD and tell them what is going on, and bring it in to be looked at, and have them go run it.
Im sure it'll be that simple.

Did that, they said that he needed to try a new prop. My question is ....Has anyone with a new 37EFI PD found that the prop is too big (or pitched) compared to the older props.

There was another gentleman here that had a 37 efi pd and he had ecm problems and prodrive(either way it was a 37 efi) swapped him out after a long process. He was only getting 2500rpm or sumthin. Also another fellow was sent a gator tail with a 12p 3 blade 10.5" I believe and it was too much prop.

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Prodrive rigging it out doesn't mean that the transom height and angle are correct. Measure it and check it out to be sure. Is this a CC since you saying they rigged it out?


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Yes is it CC.. I would think I was right too. We are going to change the prop but they sent a 3 blade.. I figured that would make it worse!

Granted, mine is a Gen II LU; but, for deep water performance on my heavy rig, I'll take a 3 blade over the 2 every day of the week. Hole shot, load carrying and top end speed; the 3 wins every time in all categories for my set up.


Most liberals seem to suffer from the same mental condition....it's called stupidity!

I am just trying to get this guy rolling because spending that much money on a rig and only getting 20mph.......makes me want to vomit thinking about it! Just don't see a 3 blade helping that much.... I might be wrong.

if the boat is brand new, I don't think its the prop. IMO

Gotta be something with the computer, or something, but its not adding up.

The only reason it could be a prop was if the pitch was way too radical

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Last time I looked Gator Trax was partnered with MB and not PD

Transom angle and design may not be ideal for PD

To get their bigger rigs to speed they ran the 4500 and bigger motors from MB....

1854 CC GatorTrax prolly a good size rig...depending on what all extras he got, could be REALLY heavy.

Give us a pic to mull upon.


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Bring it to the Boat Doctor if you are in LA. A few of the sensors can be adjusted, and the rockers are known to be loose from the factory.

If all that checks out, consider the fact that the gear ratio is too low for the prop, and the new pd's just aren't as fast as the rest

And to answer an earlier question...yes, the Gen III props are HUGE.

May just be too much boat for the 2 fluke PD big blade. The 3 will give it better hole shot. Rounded chine, too, I'm sure.

Have y'all tried to run it up into some shallow water to see if it will break over and run? Had to do that with mine a LOT in the past. Still do sometimes these days. Mine is just a big heavy hull to get up on a step.


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This is the boat, round chine (frickin drifts all over the place) but such a disappointment for now. The guy is willing to throw the money at it to make it fast. I told him if it were me I would have parked that SOB back in GTs parking lot until it ran right. He also told me that the mechanic said that he is lucky to be getting 20mph!!!!!!!!!! WTF!

Thats nearly a 20ft boat with that huntdeck and alot of extra weight with pole platform, extended deck and CC, extended rear deck, catwalks. May do a little better

So, did you measure the transom?
It looks pretty tall.
Yeah, its a bigger boat, but I think you should have a better speed.
Did he try it by himself in the boat?

And I think the mechanic is crazy.

I would also call another place that deals with PD.
Somethings not right, that's for sure.

Arent pd and mb transom angle pretty much the same?

No we did not measure the transom height, he did drop it off last week to GT and told them to look at it. He picked up the boat and they told him nothing was wrong with it at all. Question in regards to the transom angle, what difference does that really make if the boat feels like it is under a pretty big load coming out the hole. Just asking.

Transom angle is very important.


Most liberals seem to suffer from the same mental condition....it's called stupidity!

I thought mb and pd were around 15, and gtr was 20. Maybe someone can straighten us out

Never seen those I guess - every Gator Trax I have seen had the tapered trailing edge....

By use of carpenter's square, Pythagorean Theory, Sine equation and a calculator...the angle on my Uncle J is 18.8 degrees.


Most liberals seem to suffer from the same mental condition....it's called stupidity!

I should probably wedge mine a little! LOL


Most liberals seem to suffer from the same mental condition....it's called stupidity!

Wrong boat and wrong motor!Its going to be a turd

Always a clown in the group.

Upon further review that boat looks more like it's made for the flats and a small outboard on a jackplate. It's too damn big amd heavu to run a mud motor unless you throw some serious cash at it.

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Does he want to sell the poling platform.....cheap? LOL


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I have the same boat. Yea it big and heavy but I still roll out. We went took a ride yesterday and was running 31-33 with 3 peeps in the boat. Guess that PD don't have enough ass to push that boat. Lol


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Couple things,
That is a 20 foot boat and has some considerable weight to it. Between the weight and the rounded chine you are losing speed regardless of what stock motor you put on it.
You have a couple options to gain some speed. You can get your 2 blade prop worked or you can get a three blade and get that worked. It will get you a couple miles per hour. My 1854 with the 2 blade gets in the 26 MPH range running light in 3 feet of water or more. In a foot of water it reaches the 27 MPH range. With 2 or 3 people it runs 24 to 25 MPH. My boat is a true 18 foot boat though and it has double tapered chine.

At what rpm is the best speed?