I do not have a SHO on mine, I have a 2017 Cougar AE with a 2017 250 Mercury Optimax on it. I am getting way more speed out of mine, I have a 25p Fury 3 that has been re-worked on it. I am in Missouri. I would watch how much trim you have at WOT, your “rooster-tail” should not be higher than the top of your cowl, if it is you are loosing speed. I would also check your water pressure to see how much you have, if the motor is too high you will not be getting enough. Also is the boat getting loose as you gain speed? Mine does chine walk and I am not the worlds greatest driver, but I know this boat will go at least in the upper 70s if not 80. The amount of trim you use is going to dictate how fast that boat will go. No trim and you will plow along, too much trim and the boat can get out of control quickly. Take your time and learn the quirks of it. FYI I also had a 2014 Cougar FTD with a Merc 250 on it and that boat drove differently than this one. Of course it didn’t have power poles on it but it would not chine walk at all, versus this one, and it was faster. Good luck with it.
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