Finally had a chance to write some numbers down on a fairly smooth morning at Lake Mead.
2006 36 Skater Classic Deck #6 Drives 1,100 HP, 1.35 Gears, 16.5 x 39 x 18 degree Rake 5 Blade Herrings, Fresh
Lake Elevation 1200', 98 Degrees Air Temp, 4 people on board, 1/3 Tank Fuel, 1" Spacer

4000 RPM = 85 MPH = 22% Slip
5000RPM = 114 MPH = 17% Slip
5500 RPM =126 MPH = 16% Slip
5,900 to 6,000 RPM = 138 MPH = 16% Slip

Is this too much slip? How do you reduce slip? Bigger Pitch and or Bigger Diameter? Would 16 Degree Rake Change Slip at all?

take out the spacer or change to 1/2" instead of 1"

too deep

I know of and have ridden in a 36 with 1.35 gears spinning a 35 pitch merc 5 blade at 6000 rpm running 139 with 5 people and 3/4 tanks. What I dont know is the diameter or rake.

We need to know the drive height in relation to the bottom of the boat directly in front of the bullet of the No.6. This will tell us accurately if you are too high or low. Generally if your slip is high your drive is high. I have been dealing with the same stuff. My boat is only 32 but it is very similar in the bottom.

Bri, i had 4 36's, with your set up you should be getting at least 160. Call Pete, He will tell you in two seconds

I have a 2003 Classic deck. I presently run 1:24 gears but used to run 1:35. When I had the 1:35's, I had 1,000 HP Sterlings. I turned 6,100 rpm with 16.5 X 36" 15 degree rake 5 blade Mercury props and ran 145 mph. That translates into about 6% slip. With bigger motors and 1.24's with the same prop I run 160mph at 6,000 rpm. That translates into about 4% slip.

Most guys I know with 36 Classics find the 16.5 diameter 5 blade prop the right choice. But most of those guys can't run an 18 degree rake. I couldn't either. It lifted my transom too high and made the boat bow steer like mad. It was dangerous to drive.

Regarding your question about a lower rake prop, I don't know if the higher rake prop would result in greater slip but if it forces your nose down and doesn't fly the bow, it could be scrubbing off speed which would ultimately increase your slip number.

You might want to see if you can get a hold of a set of 16.5 diameter 15 degree rake props and see if you post better numbers. It might handle better as well.

leave the spacer in & put a 16 degree rake prop and she'll come to life . measure your X dimen

guys i believe this is aj's old boat..? ran 160 with right at 1000's...? he or mark would know the setup

What angle are you running your tabs and how long are you running the boat at 6000rpm? Your slip #s will drop the longer you run at wot. What is your water pressure doing?

I never met anyone that had a "true" 1,000 HP that ran a "real" 160 mph. Lots of dock talk out there. I raced a guy 2 weeks ago 4 or 5 passes who had a 36 Classic Skater that claimed he ran 169. He had non branded motors with 10:71 blowers. He said he was making over 1,100 HP. Each time I passed him, he was topped out at about 145. If AJ ran 160, I'll bet he was making well in excess of 1,000 HP.