There are several things to check first before you lay out the bucks for a new prop. First, make sure the motor is set at the right height. The cavitation plate on the motor should be about a half inch below the keel of the boat. Too much motor in the water will keep you from getting the hole shot you need.

Secondly, I would find a really good prop shop-- ideally one that services bass boats and other performance craft. Talk to them about your problems. It's quite possible they can fix your hole-shot problems by tweaking the prop a bit-- giving it a bit more cup or taking the cup out or whatever the problem is. I had the same type of difficulty with a Suzuki on a smaller boat, and after a few bucks getting my prop adjusted a bit, the boat screamed.

When and if you do select a new prop, buy stainless steel. The performance differences are often very notable... especially when you are working on a boat that is just on the edge of being underpowered.

If there is nothing physically wrong with your outboard and you don't have a ton of weight in your boat, then you are looking at propping problems. I know one guy who specializes in buying used boats that had performance problems like your boat's. The majority of the time, a prop would give him a new boat.

Good luck.

Keith