You are in the wrong forum. Try a cruisers forum of which there are many. Thousands of folk's from North America cruise to the South Pacific every year.
Liability only should not be a problem unless you have a significant number of prior claims. Allstate, Geico, Geico through Boats US, Progressive all write marine insurance. Don't know where you are located but if you are in an area with a lot of boating activity there are usually a number of...
We do a most of our boating in Northern Nevada and Northern California lakes and over in the California Delta. Most people adhere to the concept that the lineup of trailers determines who is next to load or unload. I usually handle the vehicle and trailer and my wife handles the boat and simply...
That would be a great idea except for the fact that most of the ships sitting around the port of LA waiting to be unloaded are too big to transit the Panama Canal.
Yes, trimming is important but equally important is the pitch of your prop. If you are going to pull a skier or pull toys. I use a 13 pitch 3 blade prob and easily pull 200 lb. skiers out of the hole.
Before you start removing stuff, try trimming your motor up. Also, if on plane, you take your hands off the wheel and the boat veers right or left adjust the tab.
The use of zip ties is a common way to attach fuel hoses on outboards as hose clamps are often too bulky (and may be causing your problem by impacting the choke mechanism). You need, however, to tighten them with a Cable / Zip Tie Gun.