I have a 2015 Gator Tail GTR35 with 75 hrs on an 1860 Gator Tail Extreme hull and am only getting 8 to 9 mph with a load of 1 other guy (about 220 lbs), an 80 lb dog, 18 decoys (6 of them teal), guns blind bags and of course myself (190 lbs). Yesterday running a creek that was fairly deep I could only get 8 to 9 mph out of my boat. I played with the trim and had my buddy move all over the boat to see if that would help with no success. Once I exited the creek and rode out to the shallower part of the lake I was able to plane out ok and get about 18 to 20 mph out of it. However once I hit the deep water again it dogs out. Could this be a prop issue? I plan on measuring it this evening, anyone know what dimension on the stock 3 blade prop on a GTR should be? Without my buddy with the same load I can get on plane just fine, didn't have this issue last season that's why I'm thinking it's the prop.

Seems to be a common problem a lot of people attribute to leaky valves

It's simple. get a mud motor. shoot ducks in the face.

If you're going only 8 or 9 mph its got to be something more than just the prop.

can you verify the throttle is fully opening? What is your max no load rpm, and your max loaded RPM (at your best speed)?

I'm gonna guess and say you've got a prop problem

It's simple. get a mud motor. shoot ducks in the face.

what doe your blades measure from center of shaft to blade tips ( 3 blade) or Overall Diameter (2 Blade)?

8 mph sounds a lot more then a simple prop problem !

take a video of this please, It would be beneficial to help diagnose it.

Having a similar problem with my boat but don't seem to be as bad as yours. Just bought a new 3 blade 12 pitch prop. 2 people, Hunting load (7 dozen decoys, waiders, guns, ammo, and seats) boat runs fine, add another person and the boat wont get on plane good unless in really shallow water 12-14 mph. Had a stock 3 blade before this one and ran 22 mph all day with 3 people and the same load, not sure what pitch it was but im hoping that is the problem.

3 blade 12p is a ton of prop

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That high of rpm's, and not getting on step, sounds like a worn prop,
But if you are "Bogging" down, Then it sounds like a clogged jet in the carb.
That has been the problem I've been seeing a lot lately.

You've got slippage, either the prop or maybe the belt.

so you are saying his timing belt is slipping?

What is between a timing belt and a v belt

5.25 = 10.5" OD of prop, new they are 11.25", you are .75" less. You need a new prop.

get out of here maxxis, I am fishing. I was really going after dguidry because he said the belt was slipping. Now it looks as if i might have some other people

Thanks for the diagnosis! Only have 75 hrs on this boat, is this normal prop wear or have I just abused this one? I don't run sandy bottoms however I have stumbled upon some rocky bottoms but I try and get the prop stopped and away from the rocks as soon as possible. I do run stumpy areas and areas with submerged logs.

The bottom where i run has a lot of sand in the mud and I go through props like nobodies business.