1973 20' CC Transom woes

[pianewman]

Finally water tested the change in motor height, now with anti-cavitation plate 1 1/2" above the keel level.
Immediate change in handling, much quicker onto plane. My wife, who isn't boat savvy at all, said, "What did you have changed? Is the boat lighter?". With a medium load (550lbs. of humans and dogs), WOT gave me 43mph, about 5400rpm...200 shy of maximum. Also, pulling 180lbs. of children in a 2-person float is much less effort.

Motor no longer feels like it's straining, steering is much lighter. At WOT, speed/rpm/handling is best with the motor (perhaps) trimmed out a good bit. Boat isn't perfectly flat, the bow is up a little bit.

Sadly, annoyingly, the "quick and dirty" repair on the scuppers was a partial success. I'm still getting water seeping in from somewhere. Spray rails look solid, so the only possible leaking is one of the scuppers. On the water for almost 3 hours, not enough water to even trip the float switch, but I sponged out almost a gallon.

[Sceptre20]

I would definately raise it at least 1 hole,judging by the picture the anticavitation plate is lower that the keel,it should be even or slightly higher.