Yo dudes! Thought I would post here as I'm having trouble with top-end on my new 2023 CX21 and I'd love to get some input. With the factory prop (24 fury) and hydraulic jackplate (mounted in the 2nd lowest hole of the engine mount), I was getting about 64-65mph by myself with a medium tournament load and 5600-5700 RPM wide open. Add water to the livewells and/or a full tank of gas, and that trends towards 63. Add a passenger + gas + livewells, 61-62. Performance was best if I had the hydraulic jackplate as low as it would go; pull it up any and nose/speed/rpm dropped. I took it to my mechanic and asked him to mount it on the lowest hole of the engine on the jackplate, since I didn't feel I should be getting best top end/performance with the jackplate all the way down....and we also threw on a 27 tempest (probably too much prop, wanted to try it). Top end was 65-66 with the same load and half tank of gas.
Also of note, I have 4 lithium batteries. I've been told (speculated may be a better word) that these lighter lithiums are throwing off the weight and not getting bow lift...but before I took the boat to the mechanic, I added 2 big lead acid batteries back in the compartment just for added weight (~150 lbs), and it MAYBE got me another MPH...nothing very noticeable. Doing some research, it looks like I maybe need to try a 24 tempest. Also I'd like to get another 4 blade prop for some big water trips coming up, and recommendations there are appreciated.
Thoughts?