Kevin I went back to the begining and you said this is your first boat YES? Most everybody on this website will try to stear you in the rite direction. Sometimes it just mite seem that we like to spend other peoples money. If you have no boating skills trust me you will get yourself or a friend hurt in a 24. No matter how good the boat is. Start slow and progress at your own speed. Learn the boat and more important to read the water. Things come up fast at 70.ok back to spending money A full steering system is money well spent and in the long run you will be saving money by not doing it twice. The rite system the first time.

Kevin,
Just sprayed your hull today !! Looks beautiful !!!

im getting a boner just thinking about it.......

Is that transom notch something new? My boat doesn't have that.

It's been there a few years Dave.

I've seen it on the 24 OB's but not on an I/O boat..

Does T-islands have it?
I bet with that notch you could run a shorty.
I remember Superbash found the sweet spot on his boat was to have the propshaft about 3-1/2" below.

Good Advise!
This is going to a little like getting a Ferrari for your first car...
Even experienced boaters make mistakes; yours truly included.
Going 75 in a boat is like going 150 in a car. Not that I've ever gone 150 in a car...

My boat does NOT have the notch.

I remember my first season with my boat. Between the mediocre steering system and the 3 blade prop that it came with, I was all over the road. Lots of chine walk!