wow, this is some thread.
A first time boat owner wants to buy a 360 and asks for things beyond the basics of how to run / maintain a very complex, high maintenance boat and then disrespects the advice offered by many experienced boaters.
Two observations: is this a real post- or someone wanting to find info on how to trash a GW? Secondly, the SMALL stuff, ie, ALL of the examples offered, prop pitch, jack plates, whatever, is absolutely the least of anyones worries in your position. Inconsequential at best, imho.
My advice, from owing a 360 for over 4 years, putting about 3,000 miles on her, and a 330 for several years before that and a similar number of miles, all over the Gulf, FL, Bahamas, etc is this:
a. ask for advice - and then take it - with respect and honor. Folks on this forum will bend over backwards to help you but being disrespectful is the easiest way to see 0 in your post response counts
b. go to sea school; there are many, but spend a week or two learning seamanship and boat handling and navigation basics on someone elses boat. your insurance will be high enough, save the dings and learning curves on wind / current / chop / whatever on your boat and let a seasoned capt teach you the basics, and maybe even some advanced stuff. This is not the day of dealer orientation - this is a certified sea school that will teach you the basics of how to operate a boat safely
c. electronics are lifesavers, but my advice is learn to operate the boat first by charts, compass and weather forecasts. Then learn your electronics and match them to what you learned from the charts and other sources. I have had my GPS die for example in very rough water offshore; what do I do now? If I took the easy approach, I could have spent a few days drifting until found. Get my idea?
d. last but not least: this may sound counter intuitive, but the 360 is the flagship of one of the premier boat companies in the world. Your second guessing them on "what to do / change / adjust" as a novice with zero big boat experience is just out of touch with reality. You really think they will sell a 360 unless its already 98% ready for anything it could face? Sorry to disappoint but GW gets the honors each year because they earn them, not because someone else second guesses their hundreds of years of experience and expertise.
I learn new things every day, how to improve my skills, adapt to new conditions, whatever. Just part of life.
If you take the advice offered to you, go to sea school, try your best to read / memorize the 360 manual and recommendations, and don't head out thinking its just like driving or owning a car, you actually may have a blast on the 360 every time you go out and start building a lifetime of memories and expertise you could share with future new owners too.
Just my .02 of course......