Re: restoration complete...now handling problem
Hmmm... a "hook" is a depression or hollow in a hull surface. If you mean there's no hollows in the flat or curved parts of the hull, that's good. The chines should have no hollows at all unless there are ventilation gaps, probably not on your boat. I'm guessing you're referring to the fact they angle opposite the curve of the hull inward rather than a hook?
If your bow is digging in, first check your center of gravity. Do this while the boat is stationary... ideally the painted lines on the hull should show you where the load is. You can also check it on the trailer. I'm guessing if anything you're heavier in the stern which won't dig your bow in directly, but check it anyway to make sure it's not your fuel load or some extra fiberglass added that is putting weight where you don't want it.
I'm assuming you don't have trim tabs. If you have a whale tail on the lower unit, take it off.
Check that your cavitation plate on the lower unit is roughly at the height of the bottom of your keel, and that it's level front to back. It sounds almost like it could be tilted too far in, thus shoving the bow down. This may have been the case with the older motor too, but it might not have been a problem, so even if you didn't alter the transom or gimbal, check it anyway.
What happens if, when running and the bow digs in, you trim the motor out to raise the bow? Nothing? If so that's either a lot of weight forward or a hook.
Post some pics of the bottom of your hull so we can see what's going on there. Try to show some low angle shots of the hull bottom and lowered sterndrive in position.
Erik
