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I have a 1961 13' with a 2004 40 hp 2-stroke. Normal load with 2 people makes it a 37-38 mph boat per GPS. With one person and light weight im looking at 41 mph and in perfect conditions I have hit 44mph before. Is this about normal for what I have? How can I get a little more out of it? Also, I cant pull a skier up on a slalom ski....they have to get up on 2 and drop one. Can I get a little more down low too or am I asking for too much.

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That sounds like a fast boat to me. Any faster in that size boat is not safe in my opinion, although others may disagree. My 25' reached 52mph by GPS when I was testing different props. 35 mph is about my cruising speed in calm water.

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You don't mention what size prop you are using now. ??

A larger pitch prop usually will give you more top end speed but hole shot suffers.

A smaller pitch prop will usually give you a better hole shot to pull up a skier but the top end speed suffers.

You can't have both as there is usually a happy medium.

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Keven,
I can get those speeds also with my 13. Problem is that over 40 you can't steer it and it is VERY unsafe. What prop are you running? what rpm are you getting at 41 mph? What engine is it?
I came down to a 13" pitch to be able to max out at 41 trimmed out all the way. To pull a skier I would have to drop down some pitch on the prop. Probably a 11" or 12" would do it. Just be careful not to overrev when not pulling.
Mine has a rev limiter on it, so I can't.
Mike

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Seems to me you're doing alright at 44mph. That is an insane speed in a 13'!! Lol....wish mine could go that fast.

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Problem is that over 40 you can't steer it and it is VERY unsafe.

At those speeds you should be using cable and pulley steering,

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My 2001 13' with the same motor won't ever do more than 32 MPH no matter what prop or how much I throw out of it! You've got a fast boat now!

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I believe I was around 5100 RPM with the motor rated for 5500 RPM. Im not sure what prop is on there, what size is yours? Its an aluminum prop that's pretty beat up, maybe I will get a nice stainless one for it. The engine is a 2004 Mercury 40 2 stroke.

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To get a better hole shot, do as Joe says. Try a smaller pitch prop. Perhaps a four blade Comprop. They're less than a $100.

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Though i'm not getting 44mph from my 82' model 35 Evinrude, it has pushed me along at 30mph. All that was before the latest restoration and as slick as the bottom is now, I hope to see a little more performance. Anyway, I switched to a 4 blade Comprop last year and I must say that it is impressive on the hole shot. The bonus is that I haven't lost any top end that I can tell. It really gives your motor some needed torq in turns and when pulling tubes and such with out over rev'ing the motor. I Don't have a tach but have had the motor since 95' and hear everything little nuance. My first concern was the rpm's but the motor is singing the same note as before. The Comprop is one of the cheapest props I have found and is worth a try if anyone is looking for more torq, I kept the same pitch for the Comprop. I would recommend carring a spare as the prop is composite, The fan fare behind the prop says that it is just as durable as an aluminum except I believe I read somewhere it didn't care much for sand but what prop really likes any obstructions.

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A new Aluminum prop would make a BIG difference from a worn one (same pitch), You could also change to a ski prop (more low end torque, less top end speed like Joe said), the prop act's like the "Quarterback" in a game but, due to the "Pitch", it only get's to call 1 play. Your performance number's look "GOOD", I would just replace the worn Aluminum prop that is on there and "Go baby go" !

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What about stainless steel?

I took the boat out again today and I think the cavitation plate is slightly too low. Its borderline in/out of the water at full speed. Should I raise the engine up? Also, at WOT I am turning at 5000 rpms, so I have 500 left. Does that mean the prop I have has too much pitch? Is there any way to find out how much pitch my prop right now?

Picture of the back of my boat/cavitation plate
[IMG]http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f320/blueovalstanggt/Whaler005.jpg[/IMG]

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Stainless is a better prop but quite expensive.
Your prop should have the pitch stamped into it somewhere. You may have to take it off to see it.