I have a new 1848 custom made duck boat with a new MudBuddy 37EFI HDR. By all accounts, the boat should be able to hit 30mph with a moderate load but the best I can do is 25mph. It gets up on plane easily and turns 4500 RPM with no problem. As I trim the prop lower into the water, the best speed I can attain is 25mph but the RPMs never get below 4350. Any thoughts on why this is? Should I consider more prop? Say, the Hammer? Or, maybe change the belt ratio?

BTW, I have a 21 inch transom and ordered the tall transom configuration of the HDR. Any way to verify that I have the right model?

Tall transom should have 8 bolts in the clutch cover. What about your current prop? Is it worn bad? Could be part of your issue.

In my experience the hammer doesn't gain you speed. Is it a heavy boat? Open or full of boxes?

I am having the same problem, my boat has recorded 31 before, always did about 30. I noticed last year that I cannot get it past 26. Boat Dr is looking at it now. Could be prop, could be governor spring, could be valves, could be one of about 6 or 7 things probably.

Thanks. I do have eight bolts in the clutch housing cover so I'm good there. And, the prop (as well as the entire rig) is new so that's not a factor. As for the boat, it is mostly open but the style of construction probably makes it a little heavier than a GatorTrax of similar size and shape -- but not that much. I did have two kids (125 & 50lbs), a dog, and a six gallon gas (in addition to the 10 gallon built-in tank) near mid-boat just to simulate a near hunting load.

I would figure that if the engine weren't running well, I wouldn't be able to keep 4300+ RPM. Is that right?

And I was thinking if slippage was the issue with the big blade, then maybe a hammer would grab more water. Sounds as if you don't agree. What is the benefit of the hammer blade then?

Any other thoughts come to mind?

Hammer will step a load quicker and just handle a big load better. If you're talking top end speed the big blade will be the one that provides the most out of the two. Im not sure a stock 37 can sufficiently spin a hammer either. Maybe try shifting the weight around in the boat, different boat/motor combos like different things. I doubt its your valves because it sounds like your RPM are good. Im also not sure should necessarily expect a steady 30 mph with a stock motor but you definitely have some speed left on the table.

i have an 1848 prodigy with a 35 gtr and can only hit 26.5. I have even decked the heads and gutted the exhaust.

That sucks, im assuming its a loaded out boat?

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1854 prodigy 4400 HDR runs 30 all day with 2 people


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don't beleive most of the bullsheet on here. 25 is a good speed for a lawnmower engine on a big ass boat.

30 unloaded with the wind to your back in 18'' of water = 25 in deep water with regular load.

enjoy the boat, there will always be somebody with a faster boat, it is all some folks live for. lol

I wouldn't call 1848 a big ass boat, but agree with what others are saying in regard to inflated speeds.

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The 1848 boats that I've built run about 27-30 with stock motors.

I built a 1852 loaded out and it hits about 27-28.

Don't think your speeds are horrible but the could be better.

Who built the hull?


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