Hey guys I am running briggs 23 hp on a go devil long tail. All stock,
tweeked the govener spring tab and I am getting approx 4050 rpm wide open
out of the water ( up from about 3650). I can not get over 3450 in the water.
Is the prop holding the rpms down ( stock prop in good shape unsure of the size)

performance is good about 19 to 20 mph deep water and lite load.

Is 600 rpm drop about right? Why is the rpm not comming up in the water.

Just because you can spin 4200 RPM out of the water with no load doesn't mean it will do it in the water with a load.

Woodie is correct that is a normal RPM drop, motor doesn't have a load out of water

I understand not having a load. The question is the in the water rpm
has always been about the same. Before and after tweeking the govener.
I gained 400 out the water and maybe only 150 in the water.

thats pretty dang close

I had the same thing happen on my offshore boat. I changed the props three times until I found the ones that worked best form me. Not exactly the same application but if you reduce the pitch you will raise your RPM’s

I’m in the process of doing the same on my mud motor. I drop 9 mph when big boy (300#)hunts with me.

Best of luck !