Well, props have a lot to do with boat lift. If you have a prop picked for hole shot, not top speed, I'd guess the smaller prop won't lift as much at high speeds. Weight is another factor, I'd be curious to see the weight difference between a 1997 150 vs. the 1990 version. Motors got bigger in the later years, your 97 VMAX wasn't around when your 90 175SF was designed. At medium speeds, I'd wonder if the hydrofoil isn't lifting the stern up as well (thus pushing the bow down). I'm also not familiar with the 175SF, is that a fish-n-ski? Fish-n-ski's usually don't have the same design purpose as the straight bass boats do, probably wasn't designed to be a top-end speed demon but a good all-around dual purpose boat with more design emphasis on low end hole shot (for skiing) than top end lift (for speed).

Magazine shots are just that, staged photoshoots. I'm sure all boat shots are done on a light boat for maximum effect. I always wanted a picture perfect roostertail... just doesn't typically happen in the real world when you're driving the boat right.