First, I'd like to thank all the responders. You've touched on all the
points I've been pondering.

I think the general trend of the collective wisdom is that, with the
figures I supplied, I can possibly see some gains in efficiency but I am
pretty close to the boat/motor combination being at a point where gains
won't be significant.

Rather then try to reply to each post individually let me see if I can
cover them with this post.

Trim tabs - I'd dearly love them if only to get rid of the starboard
list when I am in the boat alone, which is most of the time. However if
afraid they won't make this years budget.

Four bladed prop - An idea I am playing with but, with the figures given
and keeping the same diameter and pitch, what will that do to top end
speed and RPM?

Lower planning speed - This is the tricky one for me so let me know
where I am going wrong. My boat has a planing hull as opposed to a
displacement hull. It is designed to work most efficiently up on a plane
rather then pushing the water out of the way al la displacement hull.
The
boat falls off the plane and starts pushing water below 20 MPH/4700 RPM.
A lower planing speed may mean it takes longer to get to a fishing spot
but if that means one or two more trips a month in the gas budget I can
live with it. So, and this is where I can see I may be looking at things
wrong, a lower planing speed means lower RPM s with the boat still
operating efficiently, planning rather then displacing, and lower RPM's
mean better mileage.

Whale tail or similar - A budgetable item I have been playing with the
idea of. The things I've read on these additions have all been
advertisements giving glowing reports on them. However, life being what
it is, you can't pay Peter with out stealing from Paul. What is the down
side to be considered?

Thanks again all
Mike


--
MikeG
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net