Guys

I'm new here, and new to mud motors in general. Here's my info. I Scored a Copperhead 12 earlier this spring. The motor was locked up, but the chassis was nearly perfect. After MUCH debate I decided on the 22hp Predator to bolt to the Copperhead chassis. I got the pullies and prop from Copperhead. Fast forward to current day...The engine runs great, turning just over 4000 RPM out of the water and right at 3900 RPM in the water. Here's my issue...My speed just isn't where I feel like it should be. There is a slight bend in my prop shaft it seems and I tested with the stock 12hp prop. I'm getting 20mph with just me in a 1436 with gas and battery up front. I'm 220lbs. The only thing I haven't changed is the prop. I want to get a new shaft and put the new 23hp prop on it. My question. Would the shaft and prop make that much difference? I'm I simply too heavy in the rear of the boat and plowing too much water? I've seen the same HP motors pushing bigger boats and loads way faster than what I'm getting. Open to any feedback. Thanks!

You aren't going to get super speeds with that setup. You don't have enough lift created with the 36" bottom and that hp to get much more out of it. A longer boat with a 36" bottom will do better, as it forces more of the planing surface into contact with the water, and will change the resistance character of the boat due to the angle it's riding at. Ultimately that's not a bad speed, and a bit more weight up front should make a difference. Nice little rig.

Btw, people also think going faster on the Internet makes them cooler or something. Don't take every speed you read as fact. They think they should be getting a certain speed, and forget to flip their gps from km/h back to mph. There are many variables and a smaller rig is more sensitive to changes in those variables.

Thank you Russ. Should I expect any gain from the proper pitch prop for the 23? I'm about dead set on picking up a Tracker Topper 1542. This rig came about pretty quick, so I grabbed it up. For hunting here in AL a good ole jon boat does just fine. I enjoy getting out recreationally too so I'm thinking for $1000 I can't go wrong with the 1542 from Bass Pro.

Yes, the right prop will definitely help. Going up to that 1542 will as well. The topper isn't ideal because it's not a true flat, but if you know what you've got and are careful about hitting stuff, you'll get plenty of enjoyable life out of it for a very small investment. The xpress 1546 is also a nice size for that hp, but about as heavy/large as I would go. Only weighs 318 lbs. Keep the boat light and you should be content.

Thank you, sir!

Agree with what is said above. That lil boat is diggin in too far and slowing ya down. Best said it's a balancing act. Too wide and there's too much friction from the water, too narrow and it's digs too much, too short and you can't plane well, too long and it could be too heavy. Gotta look at yer HP and match the boat like Russ is doin fer ya. I run a 17.5 footer on my 23GTR and run consistent 25mph. My boat is a perfect width fer that and balanced from front to rear. I also have a stage 2 which helps with the load carrying but doesn't do a lot fer speed. It's the design of the boat that gets me my speed from a small motor. Speed isn't everything either....

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I'm not so hung up on the top speed as much as efficiency. However, it is tough seeing some guys skint back with the same motor I have! I've wondered if the predator doesn't make power like a briggs but 4000 rpm is 4000rpm no matter how you look at it...I'm a rookie on these motors, and it's been a fun learning process!

What these guys said above is absolutely right. With that being said, i think your speed is too low. Your bent drive shaft and smaller prop probably have something to do with it. I've owned two copperheads, a 12hp and the 23hp, and on a 1442 jon in normal conditons with no load, they ran ~22 and ~29 mph respectively. I also have a friend with a 10hp copperhead and on an empty 1236 john it runs ~20. These speeds were with proper weight distribuiton and hulls with no hooks. If your hull has NO HOOKS and the transom height is correct, you should be seeing more speed. I think your shaft and prop are large contributors to the problem. I would get a new shaft and a stock 23hp prop and stock 23hp pulleys (gear ratio). I have zero experience with the predator but you should be able to attain more speed. Best of luck to you and nice setup.

UPDATE!

Just scored this 1448 for an even trade for my 1436. I was dead set on a 1542 but for now, I can't lose with this one!