The lake that I fish usually has a very swift river running into it. The time that I gps'd 25 mph I had gone about a mile up into the river and clocked that running downstream....if I kill the motor and just float it its about 7mph. So the 25mph was under ideal conditions going with the swiftness of a narrow river. The boat used to be incredibly light....possibly was lighter or around the same weight as the motor. Used to be around 17mph average on glass water with just me, law required items, one pole and light tackle, and lunch with a couple tall boys. Since mods with same gear I am running about 14 I would guess...haven't confirmed. So yeah...my 25mph claim is seemingly unreal....but as said, it has done it under special circumstances. But also, as said, this motor is a runner. I have beefed the boat up way more than necessary...if I were more safety minded I would have never put that 7.5 on the boat before mods. I think the boat in stock form would have best been suited with a 4hp....probably would have planed with that as well. I wouldn't be afraid to go as high as a 9.9 since reinforcement and structural modifications. The boat used to feel like a dented soda can running down choppy water....no it feels very soild...probably more solid than I should have made it. So yes pappy, if it were a flat running 25mph it would be the fastest 7.5hp.