So it seems I love to work. Im going to rerig the Apache again, now with a set of SSM 5 drives and MRD 850 540 motors. Boat should go pretty good with this set up. Going to start in another moth. The warrior is already derigged and will be doing the bilge over in bright white taking care of any crappy wiring cable placement ect. We plan on running them level with the bottom of the boat. I will keep pictures of the progress and ect. that goes along with it.

What props did you get with your package?

Go 2" above and you can always space down. Level with bottom is too low on a stepped boat.

If it was me I would go 2" above on boxes with 5-blade props. Is it a notched transom? My 41 is 2" above bottom with a notch and #6s 5-blade props

That's if he feels like spending 5k on props. 4 blades aren't going to work that high. Why wouldn't you go a little deeper on a stepped boat? The water is aerated at the surface? And no notch on this hull.

Because the stepped boats run flat and don't require the same amount of trim as a straight bottom boat, therefore you can go higher without fear of having to over trim and have the props start slipping.

Most of the stepped boats run the fastest with the trim at neutral because the boat carries itself better. All of the straight bottom boats I've been on need to be trimmed to the moon to get the best speed.

Rig it at 2" above and if it doesn't work or he can't find the right props, just space it down 2". Don't forget you can never go up, but you can always space it down.

Fair enough. Still don't think I'd go that high. Maybe 1". A 6 drive prop is back further than a 5 on a box I think.
These don't behave like normal stepped boats also.

5 on a 12" box is the exact same setback as a #6 on the transom.

Yes sir that's why id use the boxes. But the one thing a 6 will do trimmed all the way in is go deeper + cavitation plate is huge. My boat with 4 blade props planed good.

bought the cougar huh?