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Tom -

Welcome to WC and to your new boat.

Shifting - I think you will learn that it will become natural to select neutral with some practice. The clicking, or detents in the shift are not large (like a car) and many go past it when new to the boat.

On both of my boats the shift behavior had a different feel. Even with the same make and model of throttle/binnacle.

Performance -

Your boat has mid range power (for that year and model) and a heavy outboard so you can help by balancing the weight evenly. Having all the weight toward the stern will slow time to plane.

Before adding tabs lets find out more on your boat and motor setup:

Is the new prop stainless or aluminum? Make and Model?

What is the top RPM # when at wide open throttle (WOT) when you are alone in the boat?

Look at the engine height article and tell us where the engine is mounted on the transom.
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...cle_id=106