i'll set it up with an empty tank, once i've run the engine in i'll see how it performs, if it's too nose up i'll add some more weight.

another question, i was looking at the OS engine last night getting it ready to mount on the boat. there's 2 nipples on the exhaust pipe (one for the pressure line to the tank, and another one), and another nipple on the shaft casing. in the diagram in the manual, there's a tube going from the exhaust to the side of the shaft casing. the nipple on the shaft casing looks to have been plugged with some plastic. I couldn't find anything in the instruction manual about pressurizing the shaft case. i assume i need to put the tube on, so i have, but if the nipple is blocked, should i unblockit? or is that a one way valve?

sorry for all the questions, i've never run an outboard before, i know plenty about standard marine & buggy engines though.

Cheers
Jason