I have a 271 fastec that runs it's fastest at nuetral to just a hair of positive trim.( at or just above the quarter mark on the trim guage) Is this a common fastec characterisic? Is this good or bad? Nuetral drive angle = more foward thrust? The three other boats I've owned ran best with as much positve trim as possible, so i'm kind of confused.

Stepped hulls like the Fastechs do not need or want much positive trim. Were your earlier boats stepped hulls? I find the same thing with my 292. This is my first stepped V-hull and it takes some getting used to. They appear to run very flat from the drivers seat, but the steps in the hull give the bottom the correct angle of attack and less trim is needed. Plus the steps aerate the water more so you find more trim usually just means more slip. Hope this helps.

Same experience on the 382 Fastech. Even more so with Stellings boxes. Trim too much and it starts to scrub off speed. Best speed at 4-5 on the trim indicators.

Neutral trim is the way a stepped hull should be run.Except when going up on plain then bring the drives in.Also do not bring drives in (negative) to turn like a non stepped boat you could spin the boat

I have a 2001 271 w/ 496HO, 24P B1, Bennet sport tabs, and I see the same results. Since this is my first season w/ the boat, I am just learning the in/outs of the boat. One of my goals is to find a good prop for slow (planed) speed, so far it looks like 30-35mph (non-GPS), I would like to get it slower. My WOT is 59-60mph @ 4400rpm.

I had my '07 292 out this weekend in some big wind. The water was very choppy. What I found was running at about 40-45 mph the best ride was boat tabs down about 40% and the motor slightly trimed ~ 1.5 on gauge. I don't have a lot of experience, so what does everyone think?

That sound about right but take a string run it from the first step to the rear of the transom.When drive is parallel to the sting that is neutral trim on a stepped hull