[Ryan]

topcontender,
as far as weight is concerned,the stern will sit low so a lighter motor would be ideal, however i have seen 18sc's with 175 and 200hp on them so it really depends how fast you want to go. Fyi my 20 with a 150 evinrude will hit 48mph wot on a gps. the motor is an 84 so with the same 150 on your boat you should be somewhere around 55-58 mph, I think. As far as raising your transom, yes raise it up to 25 if for nothing else keeping wates out when you drop in/out at the ramp.---beagle