Bozeman Bob

If you have a FFinder that shows your weights on the screen , there is no need for a depth counter . The screen doesn't lie , and it's more accurate than your counter with or without blowback.

300 RPMs is pretty close , switching the props is all I can think of .None of the 4 boats that I have owned with dual engines had the same top RPMs .Always off a couple hundred RPMs. That's all I got .

I would do a compression test on both motors and compare numbers . Then I would try swapping props . I would verify the tachs with a tachometer as well . Next make sure your throttle cable is moving the motor lever to the end . Other than that I might post this question in Iboats or The Hull Truth as there are more outboard motor people there vs this site .

They do have there place and grew in popularity and size because of warm salt water fishing. Fast to run 80 miles to the canyons in a hour and a half hours instead of 4 , think tourney fishing. Disposable quick engine replacement time vs inboards, fish from any spot on the boat for most species and a bunch of other things. Lake O with the long spring we have is not warm , dry or hospitable. So give me a hardtop with enclosure that breaks the wind and is always warmer , a place to change ,have dry clothes , store my gear out of the sun and elements etc . There is no reason to fish off the boat at any other place than the stern deck area for Lake O and Kings . And with the windows and eisenglass open it's as cool on a hot day as the miniscule shade you get from a CCs T-Top. Which is good for one person. Don't see any Charters on O running them for a bunch of reasons. Again they have there place and are great boats , just not for King hunting on O .

A 4 stroke will have more torque than a 2 stroke if the same prop rated HP . You should be within at least 80% of the rated HP for your boat . Otherwise you end up working the underpowered motor to death . Cruise at 35mph @ 4500 RPMs with a 150 . With a 175 or larger you may be running 3800 RPMs . I pulled those numbers out of the sky , just noting there will be a big difference, especially with a decent load in the boat . I would go with the biggest HP up to the max that I could afford.

The Scotty's look like they are 2 - 3 times the footprint of a Magnum Metal .

Have 3 on one of my boats , compact , pivoting boom , simple clutch design , everything is made very well . Have performed 100% going on 4 years . Also have 3 Traxstech on another boat , more features ( soft start and stop I love ) and a lot more money , there on a Charter boat . Have 2 Cannons on 17' Lund , and are the most " bulky " of the 3 and has the fixed booms which I am not a fan of . Basic weekend warrior ? Get the Magnum's . Hitting it hard and deep pockets ? Go Traxstech .

I would Google a schematic for it and see if it is a replaceable part . Might want to break down any other bases you have like that and re- tighten using a light or medium grade lock tight . I have seen many cannon bases that are wobbly until I chastise the owner of the boat to repair them before everything goes to Davey's locker .