Bob do us all a favor and set the trim at a neutral position and take a picture at prop shaft level from each side of the lower unit that shows the trailing edge of the running pads and also a shot of the pad and strakes at the back of the boat. Based on your post I think you have serious prop or setup issue. A 25 tempest in good condition with only one plug in it at 3.5 in should put that boat on the pad in less than 5 seconds with a light load probably about 3 seconds if the motor is up to snuff
I will be at New Hogan this Saturday if you want to meet there 916 813 0321