I've been fighting this setup for 2 months now. Long story short, I bought 1 17' Jav Venom with no motor, and I put a 140 Johnnyrude looper with a 20" shaft V6 geearcase on it. It has been a bear to get the motor running right, but I'm on the right track. The boat is still tough to get on plane with a 22p Raker. I literally have to take a few steps toward the bow to get the process started. Yes, I know it probably isn't safe, LOL

Once the bow starts down its a rocket up to 55mph at about 5300 rpm. Motor is mounted as low as possible on the transom.
I used the motor height measurment method in the sticky. 16 3/8" to the pad, and 7 3/4" to the propshaft. looks like im 5 1/8" too high. I have a manual jackplate that I hope to install tomorrow or Sunday.

My question is, how much effect is the motor being so low having on my planing?