Need a little more information. What is your drive? Gear ratio and what prop are you currently running? Also is 45 on gps or speedo?

Drive is an alpha one, and I think my prop is a 21P. How do I determine the gear ratio? 45 mph was from a GPS. Thanks.

A 223 with a big block should definitely do better than 45. I had a 223SS, 1988, 454 (330) with a Bravo. Did a smidge over 60. The LS is even a tad faster than that due to weight distribution. An LS model will trim up a little more than an SS model so it'll go a few ticks faster.

Your Alpha set up should be equally fast. There is really no speed difference between the Alpha and the Bravo. If there is any difference, the Alpha should theoretically be faster since its a slightly smaller drive, less drag.

In any event, you should see at least high 50's. Is the bottom clean, prop good - no dings/bent blades, are you trimming it out at speed? Maybe the engine is tired, check compression?

According to Ryan at Formula boats, the alpha on my boat has a 1.47:1 gear ratio. The hull is clean, as in no barnacles or anything like that - I keep it out of the water when not using it. I'll check the prop for dings/dents but I'm pretty sure it's good to go. The only thing to hit around here is a little sand.

I'm about to have the boat into the shop to fix a neutral/reverse issue and the trim tabs, I'll have them do a compression test as well.

Thanks for the info ThirdBird. You saying that I should be hitting at least high 50's definitely gets me excited!

I probably need to mess with the trim at top speed as well. It's hard to measure the speed because it was from the GPS on my phone, but I now have a windshield-mounted GPS that should give me a better real-time display.

Anything else to check?

Like said before high 50*s shouldnt be a problem

Well what else can you recommend? Because it's obviously eluding me...

Whats your RPM at wide open where you are seeing 45MPH

Will check and report back as soon as the boat is out of the shop.