I'm new to the mud motor world and I'm trying to figure out what speeds I should be seeing on my 18x54 tdx with a 37 EFI (Gen III). I took the boat out with 3 guys this last weekend and couldn't seem to get the boat above 20 mph. I get 24 mph with 2 guys and by myself. Out of the hole with all three of us seemed extremely slow. From reading on here it seems I should be seeing higher speeds. I'm hoping to get an idea of what I should expect and the best way to try and get there. I was running at ~4600 RPMs and we had just the 3 of us and a cooler. I appreciate the help!

Those speeds sound about right when compared to what others have posted in the past.

The Gen 3 has a powerful holeshot, but has a horrible top-end and is why many are fleeing to other options on the market.

That sounds ballpark, I have a 2054 CC and I see anywhere from 21-25mph depending on load.

What prop

I'm running the stock 2 blade PD prop....KP did tell me he would have new props available in January that were aimed at giving the Gen 3's more top end.

You live in GA? If so where?

99 percent of people are full of shit when they post speeds. Yes their boat might of gone 30 one time while completely empty, over a mud flat and a 120 pound guy driving and they state it does 30. When in reality it cruises in deep water at 25.

My boat personally "can" do 32+, does it run that? No it's realistically 28/29 in normal conditions. So whatever you read take with a grain of salt. I run a 37 on a 16x48 so a lot lighter than you.


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I have a 18 x 54 with a PD 36 gen 3 carbed. I run 23 @ 4200- 4230 rpms with me 250lbs my son 165 lbs, 3 batteries, 12 gallons of gas, trolling motor, cooler, and fishing gear (no mods, deep water) I can get 25 same load in shallow. Now for duck season completely stripped down my son and i with boat blind hunting gear and dog with a worn prop I get 26 once again no mods, but 1 ft of water so it bites

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That's why they are called poodrive,Its a turd!!

It is the stock 2 blade... I understand taking everyone's speeds with a grain of salt... I'm not disappointed with the boat by any means... Just trying to make sure I'm doing the right things and getting the best performance... Thanks for the input guys... I'll just keep playing with it!


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Its because of the gear ratio. If you have a gen 3 lower unit prodrive, the ratio is similar to a granny gear. High rpms but not much speed. The gen 2 lowers are faster, by a good bit. Gen 2 was 1.5:1, the gen 3 is 2:1 ratio.

Set your trim where the motor is running at 4200 WOT and trim up every so often until you find that spot where your boat runs best and put a mark on the transom mount to take the guess work out of fi ding that spot everytime. Also at the transom the bottom sticks out about two inches if you bow rides really high you can tap that piece down, if it rides low you can tap it up bit keep in mind it does not take alot I use a 36 inch 2x4 and lay it across and tap until it is flush across the bottom

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When mine was running, the ecm took a dive on sat, would do 26 with 3 200lb men and no gear, that was with 1:11/2 lower unit. Now if Briggs can just figure who here in Texas can fix it!