Motor height is going to be your first big problem. My 23 Tsunami with a full pipe top and the same df300 can hit 6300 trimmed up @ 50 mph with a light load so your CC should do way better than me.

If you are running a Suzuki 3 blade prop I would urge you to explore other options. If it was me I would get my hands on a standard Merc 4 blade Bravo 1 22" pitch and raise the motor as high as you can mount it. The Bravo will run efficiently much higher than the Suzuki prop and steer much easier.

Ok great info K moose..if I should be seeing 62-6300 it will be worth exploring different props and engine height..

I like 6000 at even trim with a day trip load at WOT. They redline at 6300 but you should not hit that unless you are trimmed up with no load and minimal fuel.

I’m not a big fan of lugging 4 strokes and generally cruise at 43-4500 between 28 and 30 knots on a nice day getting 2.3 nautical and have no issue running it at 5000 to 5300 if I want to put the rest of the pack behind me @ 1.9.

Gotcha.. I’m gonna start at heights and go from there.. like you said I will be happy at 6k WOT even trim

Steering
 

So I spent most of the weekend on the water.. I did some experimenting with the engine.. so full throttle with a full tank and only myself in the boat I saw 5750rpm 46 mph with no trim and hard to steer.. if I trimmed it as much as I can I was seeing 6150 at 48-49 mph and the steering was very easy to steer.. my conclusion is that there is too much engine in the water with no trim and I should start by raising the engine a hole? What do you guys think??

Anything at 300+ hp i prefer more turns hardover to hardover or a power assist unit
Get the 1.4 helm or the power steering unit and be done with it

Why would I go out and spend close to 2k for a power assist and not try to raise engine first🤷🤷

IMHO, the determining factor for engine height is "where is the anti-cav plate when running"? Hard steering may be a result, but where is the AC when running? A video would help.

Olds cool 😎 I totally agree.. but the amount of trim I can put on the engine without prop slipping is also telling me that I am too low with the engine.. but that’s my opinion... I will supply a video this upcoming weekend.. thanks

I guess i can see why you would take my message that way. Apologies.

Was looking at it it from a work perspective, not a diy'r at home.
If i were to try that at work it would likely result in 4 to 6 hrs between hauls/launches, and seatrials. If it didnt meet the customers expectation's they would be unhappy with the bill, and be looking at buying a new helm pump, or power steering.....