1973 23'Tsunami I/O, wet feet? & performance?

[bigeasy1]

A previous post on the performance board,has me a little concerened,regarding my Tsunami.

I have finished all the glass work,new transom,hatches,deck, etc,and hope to have most of the rest of the major stuff done by spring,so that i can drop the engine and drive in it.

The engine is a 260hp 350,with an alpha drive.It will also have a 8hp Yamaha kicker on the transom,and four downriggers with 12lb weights on the transom cap.

It's going to have 12x12 drop fin Bennett tabs on the rear.
The batteries(2 27 series) are going to be in front of the engine where the baitwell/livewell was.(between the fuel tank and engine box).
The fuel tank is 55 gallons,and is the original,which is odd,as the literature says standard tanks on the I/O was 72 gallons.

My questions are,will i have a pain in the a-s problem with the thru deck scuppers,and what do you think i can acheive for speeds with this setup? Am i going to have to keep plugs in those floor scuppers all the time?
It's too late to go out the rear with the scuppers,so thats not an option.

I'd also like to put a washdown in the boat,but will it drain out easily while trolling.My use for this boat is strictly salmon trolling 2-4 mph

I figure that moving the batteries to that area,moves another approx 100 lb's almost to amidship.Also we'll be keeping the majority of the tackle and gear up foward.

Anyone have any answers or even thoughts or ideas or maybe those of you with I/O's can shed some light on it for me.
Thank all,for any info.