[Bushwacker]

Interesting question - I'm currently doing the same thing! I recently had the bottom paint soda blasted off my boat and am currently cleaning it up and repainting with Interprotect and Signature Finish paint. I'm hoping to get about a 10% improvement.

I've seen 44-47 mph on my Seafari with a 150 E-Tec running a moderately heavy load with the bimini top up. This was with a 14.125x20P 4B prop that's only turnning about 5000 rpm, so I'm pretty sure it's far from optimum. I have seen almost 50 with a light load and top down. The bracket has 30" setback, and may add 2-3 mph; cav plate is about 3.5" above keel. The boat had 3 coats of bottom paint that had been on it ever since I got it in 1975, and a lot of it had pealed off clear down the the gel coat, so I'd say it was fairly rough. I'm about a month away from sea trials with new clean bottom, so will keep you posted.