Yeah that should be somewhere close I think, I expect the boat will be heavier than a delta so perhaps I could dial down the pitch a bit? I don't suppose you know what size prop your running on there off hand do you?

I don't Dan, but it's quite small, I will yank it off soon & let you know. It was interesting at the Soar this weekend that two other tin Delta's had bigger dia props than mine, although I don't over rev.

Ok that would be great, maybe yours is smaller dia but coarser pitch
From what Sean-nós says it sounds like the engine might be quite limiting on what angle I can get away with too so I'll try and get it rigged on a jig this week and see how the oil pan and gearbox fairs. I do have the advantage of the stepped keel which drops away half way along the engine so that suddenly gives me an extra 2 1/2" which is helpful!

I thought I'd post a little update on this as most of the things I post about the build are on the Facebook page I set up for this (apologies for non Facebookers). Progress is coming on in waves in between other bits and pieces and the boat is having another push at the moment. I'm currently just getting ready to start varnishing this weekend, here's a few pictures of the current boat status for you. Hoping to get it done in time for Windermere but we will see...