Yes, boat doesnt act right on really smooth water!!! Choppier the better seems like and really nice in salt water. There is play in the wheel but not near as much at the out drive. No up-down slop just a bit side to side but i hear that is the norm. REALLY want Hyd- Steering but man they don't give that stuff away and im just a workin stiff.
Iv often wondered if im not trimming it up enough ( is that positive trim or neg) . Going to get the level out tonight and check it out tonight before tomorrow. Was wanting the steering before i head down to so-cal form Morro Bay but doesn't look like that's gunna happen. Still a little ways off, who knows.

'Positive trim' usually refers to trimming the drive up. You can expect a little free play side to side in the drive, if it's only very small, that's pretty normal. Check other boats if you get a chance, just push the drive from side to side and you'll get a comparative idea. If yours moves more than others, get an expert opinion, could be gimbal bearings.

Hydraulic steering is great but big bucks. Have a season's fun, enjoy what you've got and if you want to upgrade something next year, maybe trim tabs would be good.

Any Velocity owners comments on tabs for this boat?

Nice setup, a 496 should run really well in that boat and pretty much trouble-free.

RR