Looking at getting a 4400 Black Death on my (new being built) 17X50 gator trax boat.
1) should I increase the built in fuel take to 12gal. instead of 9 gal. I was told this motor burns a lot of fuel?
2) bone stock what kind of speed would I see with this motor with the .125 alum. and 3 avg. guys with normal gear and deks?
3) I will be in areas like Lake Okeechobee in Florida. 50% heavy veg. and 50% open water, what size shaft should I order. and do I have a say so on the prop that it comes with?
4) Should I only use synthetic oil in this motor? I usually always use Royal Purple....

Thanks In Advance for any/all advice.....

Go with 12 gal and use mobile one synthetic it's going run mid 20 to 32ish

1- 9 gallons will go a loooong way. Personal preference on whether you want to go bigger.

2- bone stock? That motor is already modded. As long as you can step the load, I'd say somewhere north of 20mph. Weight distribution is key here. Shallow water vs deep water makes a big difference as well.

3- Unless you are in bottomless mud, the shorter shaft will likely be just fine. Shorter shaft is also easier to drive. Prop-dunno, ask your dealer.

4- These motors run hot. I've personally seen oil temps in the 250ish range which is very close to the point where conventional oils begin to break down. I prefer to run a synthetic, but it's not absolutely necessary. Definitely want something with a high zinc-good zddp package. The "diesel" oils, rotella, delo, etc are good options for a non-synthetic. Most off road type oils have what you want. I run amsoil, to each their own. Wouldn't personally run royal purple, but it probably ain't gonna make a big difference. Reason for no on the royal purple is the secret "super slick" ingredient is chlorine, which also causes the oil to break down faster. Not really good for long term use.

Rgr,,,, thanks guys.... greatly apprecieate the advice... will run amsoil 10w-30 then and go with the mid size shaft on the Black Death...

Also, I will be using this motor in the salt water sometimes.... I'm assuming, like I do all my gear,,, after use just rinse the hell out of it with fresh water.... any other thing you guys would do?

Lots of salt water guys spray them down with corrosionX after a fresh water bath.

Spray it with corrosion x before it ever goes near saltwater. Then a good rinse when off the water, a coat of corrosion x after it air dries. Then grease all zerk fittings to force out any salt water that might have infiltrated.

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rgr will do.... thanks again......