yes plugging the holes will allow it to blow out less,are your rpms going up on holeshot but the boat not accelerating?if so plug a hole doesn't take much to change it.check propshaft height,if you can raise it you can pick up mph and rpms the quickest there,1\4 to 1\2 inch can make a huge difference,it will free up the hull more.are you sure the motor doesn't have a fouled or weak spark plug and is running good,is the prop bent or chewed up,been reworked...is the bow of the boat floating when you trim up or does it stay flat?if you have the very forward storage heavy loaded it will kill top end performance,we all ways used it for life jackets and clothes and lighter stuff.