Mr Smith as we talked on the phone. That is a 70+mph boat with the 150 but it takes set up and driving skills. When I had mine back in the mid 90's I could outrun most any cookie cutter boat with a 225 on it. I was running a 27 lasarII and I think I remember being about a tad less than an inch above the pad. You have got to watch your water pressure. If you raise it more than that you need to plug the top holes in the lower unit. A 26 trophy should do wonders. Please take your time learning to drive, mine threw me out into the lake and that was NOT fun.