The motor has plenty of clearance to tilt all the way up. The boat still hasn't splashed . . . hydraulic steering is on now just waiting for my control cables to show up. Lots of honey do's lately b/c my wife got a fellowship to study in france for the next 9 months. Also had to get the Salmon Permit squared away on the other boat. One of my wifes friends is going to help me redo the cushions this weekend . . . should be fun to learn how to use a sewing machine