Question on props
i have a 1985 mercury 90 tower of power on a 1979 brooks bullet 17ft boat has a factory setback plate at about 6 inches and I put a jack plate on ive got it running about and inch below the pad I have a 12.75 21 pitch 3blade aluminum prop and a 13.25 23 stainless 3blade . The 21 wot will get around 39mph at 5k and the 23p will run 42 at 4500 motor has great compression and had the carbs went through ive tried a couple props from friends of mine the 23 gets me the best top end still with great holeshot im just looking to maximize this boat motor combo I feel like this boat should be in the upper 40s to low 50s with the 90 I keep about 8 to 12 gallons of fuel in it 2 deep cycle batteries and the starting and about 100lbs of gear with 2 ppl at about 400lbs am I just under powered ?? I feel like I need more lift boat seams to still be still plowing some water on plane just looking for some guidance on where to go from here