First Time Build - Several Questions

[CanAmAB]

I decided to use a motor/esc I already owned and build a package around that to save some $$. My regular hobby is electric helicopters, so I'm familiar with all the standard esc/motor/wiring stuff, but I do recognize boats pull continuous higher current, so I want to avoid mistakes that can cost me a motor or esc...or the whole boat!

My intended usage is just running on the lake, not racing hard core...

Here's what I put together:

(Neu/Castle 1717/1Y 1500KV w/custom cooling) (owned)
Turnigy Marine 180A ESC (owned)
AeroMarine Titan 33 Hull - OSE
Speedmaster Stinger Strut (ros-stinger-str) - OSE
OSE aluminum Rudder (OSE-80050) - OSE
1/4" brass tube with .187 OSE cable assembly - OSE

I will be running on 6S2P 5000 mAh FlightMax packs (I'm a heli guy, so I have plenty of them)

I purchased 2 props not knowing which would work best. I got the Octura x448 and x640

Questions:
1 - Is there an 'ideal' location for the motor to be mounted (fore/aft position)?
2 - When mounting the motor/tube, are there any definite do's/dont's I should be aware of?
3 - Where should I aim for the COG to be lengthwise? I think I read something about 30% from rear?
4 - Does anyone recommend or definitely not recommend gundert water pickups for feeding and for extracting water from the hull?
5 - Given that I have the x448 and the x640, which is likely to give the best performance? Which other prop should I get?
6 - With this setup, what speed should I expect to get, and with which prop?
7 - When mounting the rudder, should I keep it closer to the center while maintaining clearance for the prop, or is there a rule of thumb?

Thanks for any constructive feedback you can offer.

[CanAmAB]

Anyone?

[RIPFENCE]

the x640 prop is much too small..do not use it..that will not hardly even load the big 1717...the 1717 can turn a big prop but you have to be careful with the turnigy t180 and prop choice on 6s2p..the x448 is a good choice and probably for more speed you would want something like the x648 with more pitch...just check your temps often...if you go from 45mm to 50mm that would be a good range...you can expect high speeds like 60 with the 1717 powerplant but the problem you are going to have is keeping the titan 33 planted above 55mph..its a high lift hull and it may want to fly on you..

[CanAmAB]

Thank you RIPFENCE

[Fluid]

Another problem with the Titan 40 is the use of a stinger. We have five Titans in our club running in P-Mono, all with the same motor (Neu 1521/1.5D) in the low-mid 50s. Three were built with a flood chamber and struts, mine and another with stingers. That was the last mono I built with a stinger, there is no vertical adjustability without essentially rebuilding the transom (I've done this twice). These boats are critical on prop height and will either plow or fly with a change of less than 1/8". The Titan 40 (which actually measures slightly under 34") is a great hull, but it just can't handle speeds much over low-50s. Regardless, I love mine.



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[CanAmAB]

FLUID
I am still building mine. Can you tell me the distance from the keel to the bottom of the stinger? Using the setup guide that came with the stinger, I mounted it with the distance recommended of 3/32 from keel to the bottom of stinger housing. There are slots in the bracket for allowing it to be moved up if necessary.