You mentioned something I don't recall seeing being posted....throwing the boat in. I don't think alot of people realize, or at least new ones to the sport, that there's a trade off on the props. Some props will give you a hole shot but limit top speed to 35-38mph with no cavatation, and others will give alot of cavatation but give you 40mph, the later being the ones you throw in.

Maybe this is why the pros throw there boats in the water? Things that make you go "What The..."