I have a 1989 17' Bass Tracker w/ 40hp Johnson.  Motor runs like new I would just like a little more power to get to my spots a little faster.  This is my first boat so I am learning as I go.  It has the stock prop on it, and I couldn't tell you what pitch it is.  Any ideas on what pitch I should use?  Any other small mods that I could do would be appreciated.

You need to know several things before someone can tell you the pitch you need. Read This

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1188500161/1#1

Other than a different prop and possibly a jack plate, there's not much that can be done to a 40hp. There may be some simple engine mods that can be done but I havent heard of any.

How fast are you moving? Console streeting or Tiller?  And god please don't put a jack plate on a 40hp, everyone will laugh at you.  How much experience do you have driving? On my boat, which will run a bit different from yours since mine is fiberglass, I gain a good 10mph more just by trimming my motor up (plaining out) after getting out of the hole.  But with a 90hp my boat only moves around 43 mph fully planed, which is quick enough.  Your's should probaly be running at atleast 25mph.  Post your top speed on plain and what rpm your running at during that time.

I don't think you're going to get enough of a performance gain to justify the cost of a new prop, unless what you've got is waaaaaay off base. How fast are you running? I have a 17' tracker too, and it's max rated for  50hp, and I have a 4 stroke 40 on it doing 32.5 GPS under ideal conditions. I get 28-30 most of the time, since I'll just trim it all the way down and go, since Wilson tends to be choppy more often than not.

An SS prop will probably gain you a couple miles an hour but seriously, tin rigs from that era weren't designed to do much more that provide a cheap, low cost alternative to a fiberglass bass boat.  There was nothing designed into the hull that changes in engine height, propping, jackplates or anything else you could do will get you any kind of significant increases in speed.  Those boats are what they are.  

I usually run about 29 or 30 gps @ 5300 RPM.  I am not planning on pouring alot of money into the motor.  Especially since it does not have power trim.  Hey at least it is a good workout.  Thanks for your replies.

Save your money for your next boat or next motor. Any increase you get will be small and costly.

I usually run about 29 or 30 gps @ 5300 RPM.  I am not planning on pouring alot of money into the motor.  Especially since it does not have power trim.  Hey at least it is a good workout.  Thanks for your replies.

you boat sounds like its running dead on how it should. your rpms are pretty much right on so a prop really wont help... maybe a hydrofoil?

I usually run about 29 or 30 gps @ 5300 RPM.  I am not planning on pouring alot of money into the motor.  Especially since it does not have power trim.  Hey at least it is a good workout.  Thanks for your replies.

you boat sounds like its running dead on how it should. your rpms are pretty much right on so a prop really wont help... maybe a hydrofoil?

A foil might help get up faster, but it'd be out of the water at speed if everything is set up correctly anyway.

drive it for what it is- not enough gains to even worry about it-