I'm trying to find out what normal rpm ranges are for sd's I've heard different stories! Want to make sure I'm getting most out of my motor as possible! I'm new to surface drives n trying to learn! I've got a 24 hp Honda motor with an electric shift clutch! Running prop with just me n my 5 year old son in river it's running about 3420! With the clutch engaged it runs about 4400. Is this normal or should it be higher or lower for either one? Just trying to find out where I need to be with this motor! Thank you for any help!!

That seems to be quite a discrepancy between running with a load and not. I would think you are losing a lot or RPM's when under load and as a result some performance and/or top end speed. You might need a different prop to get the RPM's up closer to 4000 - 4200, but I really don't know enough about it to offer any advice. All I have is my little Copperhead motor and initially I was only getting around 3400 under load. I changed out the prop for one with less pitch and now I'm running around 4200. Didn't really gain that much top end speed, but I've got lots more power and torque for running through the thick stuff so for me it was a big improvement. Mine doesn't have a clutch either, but I still believe there's too much difference in RPM's on yours and you're losing significant performance.

I should rephrase that it wasn't under load me about 240 n my boy which may b 40 lbs soakin wet!

Well I still think it's a prop issue. Is this a new motor and/or prop? Could be if it's a new prop it's just the wrong size and/or pitch. Sometimes people buy new props without matching the size that was on there originally and don't see the same performance. Bigger isn't always better when it comes to props.

On my motor I was running around 3400-3500 with just me (210 lbs) in 4-5 feet of water. Sitting on the trailer it would run around 4200+ which Gil at Copperhead told me was too much of a difference. He said there should only be 200-400 rpm drop off when it's pushing a light load in the water.

So I bumped up the governor to where it would run 4500+ on the trailer but still only got around 3700-3800 on the water. Gil sent me a new prop, different design and pitch, and now I get 4500+ on the trailer and about 4200-4250 in the water. Top speed is only 1-2 mph higher, but it's got way more torque and power so I'm a happy camper.

I'm certainly no expert, but I'd look at what size prop is on there right now. If it's a commercially made sd then I'd contact the manufacturer and see what they recommend. If it's a home made job you might have to experiment with a smaller or lower pitch prop until you get it dialed in. Just my two cents worth.

I was told motor was a 03 or 04 mud buddy hyper drive but I'm not certain of year! I just picked up motor last Friday! But thank you for your help! 2 web sites n multiple posts n haven't had much luck other than some obvious or smartass remarks! Everything that I have read days it needs the 11x10 prop which does have some wear on it! And as far as adjusting the governor I'm not sure how or even where it is located at on top of motor!! Also think I need to replace the springs cause they are awfully loose also! I agree also that I'm loosing a significant amount of power too! Just trying to figure out how to fix it! I left message today with mud buddy but heard customer service isn't a strong suit! I'm fixing to head to Florida n trying to get ready for trip and work on motor n workin 12 hrs ain't had much time to really mess with the motor much!! I'm also changing boats I had 1648 mod V n going to 1648 flat bottom so hope that helps also! Thanks again

Springs should get tight at idle. If they just loose when the motor is off that's normal

I've read and heard that the flat bottoms are best suited for the short drives. Apparently the modified V bottoms create significantly more drag which might contribute to your problems as well. I'd bet that you'll see some increase in the performance with a flat bottom boat, but it could be that you still have a prop issue as well.

Since you're getting a different boat anyway, I wouldn't do anything with the motor or prop until you get that setup and see how it runs. Then you can adjust accordingly. Good luck.

Ya that's were I am at with it now! On vacation n Destin Florida n won't be back till late thursday night!