dustin, it is a good place to start, i wouldn't say it is conservative, but it isn't radical either, i ran the plate at 3 and the nozzle at 4, and it never felt very loose, how does the boat feel when you are wide open does the boat slam back down when you let off. it never did for me, now when i let off in the daytona you feel like you are going over the dash. the reason i am asking you this is i am wondering if the hull is lifting like it is supposed to. let me know how it feels.