Recently, I just bought a used 14x44 Flat Bottom Boat. The boat itself has been modified with a wood gun box, wood deck (bow of boat for dog), Wood Floor, Custom Blind, Custom Swivel Seats, Etc. So a lot of weight has been added. I bought a brand new longtail 9HP and threw it on the back end. I took it out for the first time this past week. I brought along my GPS to see what I could get out of the engine.

I had myself and a buddy in the boat (I weight 175, buddy weighs 185). Oars, Deep cycle battery (For deck lights) and Anchor was the only thing I had in the boat. Top speed was 6.2MPH. I was highly disappointed. Is there anthing I can do to get this boat around 10MPH? I know if I ripped out the wood, I would get rid of a lot of the added weight.

I am in a higher elevation area (5,000 FT).

No, not really.

Gut the boat and get out all the unnecessary weight, and I mean all of it. That's about all you can do with that setup. You're probably pushing a wall of water with the front of the boat. By yourself, you can probably run 10, but another person is gonna kill the speed.

Im running a 23 hp Dixie MM on a 1436 wood/fiberglass boat, 21-22 MPH full load.