I just purchased a 1989 23 wellcraft nova xl that im putting a 502 mag efi in that should be making 500-550 hp. Just like everybody on here I want to get the most speed out of the thing with out getting killed in the process and I know this aint a boat to try and go a 100 mph in but I still want to go as fast as I safely can with what I got so with that being said I know that the hull has hooks in the bottom in front of the trim tabs and I know the manufacturer puts them there for a reason but I was wondering if they should be filled in if yor lookin to go faster than the manufacturer had in mind. I would like to hear all your options on why or why I shouldn't do this and pros and cons and if anybody has done this on a similar hull and what your results were...... THANKS

I would remove them - You can always solve a porpouse problem with the tabs.
I would rather have control.

not a fast hull by no means...if you get to 65 quit there...

Leave it alone. Not worth it. There are probably a few more satisfying projects the boat needs.

Save your $$ for gas and beer!

ok so say the boat did 65 mph as it sits. How much speed do you think I could pick up by doing the bottom?

A mile or two.
The thing about making a boat go fast (for its design) is a number of things all put together. Every little thing helps but each one only helps a little. Thats a lot of work taking the hook out of a hull along with repainting or gelling the bottom. I've done it before but that was a ground up restore. If I already had a nice gel bottom then I wouldn't bother.

don't touch! not worth the work!

sell it, buy another boat with more efficient hull with stock motor, you might go faster for same money, than your actual boat with upgraded 502...

thought about doing it on mine (PQ27)...the way the ''hook'' is designed i would run out of bottom at the transom,if cut straight...like the others said,not worth the trouble for 1-2 mph....still doing 77-78 mph with 620hp

What would give you the best increase in speed and handling would probably be a -2 imco lower. Nice thing about that is if you find a good used one you can almost certainly get your money back out of it if you don't like it or decide to sell the boat.