I'd ditch that external pickup. You are 500 RPM down where you should be.

I would love to, but then concerned about the glass / repair to fill the hole. I realize the drag issue here, but seems like a dramatic speed loss for relatively minimal drag.

Not saying the pickup is the main culprit, just saying I'd ditch it nonetheless. I would not be concerned abut the hull repair. Should be easy for a quality shop.

What did they do to the LWP on the drive? Plug the holes? Or is it still scooping up all that water and directing it to...?

Need gear ratio and prop set pitch. 3 x 3's or 4 x 3?

Good point-point taken concerning the drive intake. When I get back to the boat, I'll look for prop numbers.

Just wondering if the drive is still taking in water, and that water is not being pulled into the engine for cooling and then expelled, has that become a source of drag somehow?