2.75 below pad, weight in boat needs to be evenly distributed, scuff the pad with scotch brite and don't over trim, adjust oil pump to lean out, i have no idea what else but she runs, i was told i got a good one by many guys in 20i 's that can't catch me or pass me, my plugs are three years old and when i pull them every spring they look brand new. I'm not trying to say my boat is the nuts, actually i'm not a big fan of alot things about skeeter, i think they could do alot better on the fit n finish, but it does run great and handles ruff stuff easily.