prop survey

[chumbucket]

You've got a 21 pitch prop on there and that's probably why you're not able to get the recommended RPM's. You should need about a 17 pitch to bring it where it needs to be. You're really working your motor hard by running that prop. I would also wonder if you've got the correct gear ratio in that outdrive that the previous owner replaced. Assuming that the gear ratio is correct, just try a lower pitch prop.