Hate to do this and I'm not trying to be an azz but you weren't running anywhere near 40 in a 17' G3 with a 40 hp on it, loaded with 3 men and gear. Probably closer to 22-24 mph. I started not to say anything or correct you but some people dont know much about boats and I'd hate for someone to buy one off the lot then find out that it wont do what they thought it would, once they put it in the water. G3's own performance test data on a 15.5' (smaller, lighter boat) with a 40 Yam shows 29.1 mph with just the driver. On a 17' boat you'll be underpowered and wishing you had bought a 60 -70 hp if you went with a 40. G3's are good boats but like someone else said, if you're looking at aluminum, you really need to look at and run one of the Express boats with the hyper-lift hull design. Best aluminum boat out there right now.