17mph top speed w/ me (225). sounds kinda slow..ive ran this boat for 1 1/2 years..is there anything that sounds kinda out of wack or is it just me..ive moved weight around, trim angles..just about to say the hell with it and buy a 35..any sug?

It would haul with a 35 on it! But it still should be doing better than 17 mph with just you in the boat. Has it always done this or did it just start it?

since day one it has been like that..i think the boat just way to heavy for that size motor.

First things first...
Measure your prop.... What does it measure
What RPM's are you turning. In the water and OOW.
Also, stock valves suck. If the above is ok, then it may just be leaky valves

Sounds about right. To me, a 23 on that hull is a little under powered. Check what the hull is rated for and match it up accordingly with the biggest motor you can afford.

Yes, stock valves do suck. They could be leaking some. I would also do a compression test in addition to what Barroll said. The 23 for that boat is a little under power, but it should do the job with just one person in the boat. You could always try selling the 23 and getting either a 35 or BD 4500 that has the heads and single Mikuni. Your face with look like this if you done that . I won't ever have another motor without Iron Mountain Heads on it. Stock heads just plain suck.

Why not just throw some heads,exhaust and cam on that small block.

I was thinking bout putting mods on it but just like yall said all the money i could have tied up in that i could afford a 35. i appreciate all the info

I run an old Quachita 1542 flatbottom with waterlogged side flotation and a beat to hell bottom. My 24 Honda Mini Gps'd 25mph with 2 people, weight 197, and 190. You should be running low 20's atleast , with a stock motor and good propeller.