I don't think this boat will see much more than 9 knots under power, regardless of the engine chosen. If you think that a boat of these generous proportions would be a slug, you had better think again. For years Ted Hood has been sailing past lighter boats with his heavy boats. In light to medium air, the lion's share of your boat's drag is wetted surface friction. If you see the Hood designs as the epitome of conservative yacht design, you may be close to the truth.
Boats steer better without skegs.
Rudders can be shaped better without having to fair into a skeg. Big boats can use the balance portion of the spade rudder to relieve helm pressure. You could argue that a skeg helps a boat track, and I think you are probably right, but the steep deadrise of the LH 60's sections will ensure that it tracks. One of the most dramatic benefits of displacement is the volume available for tankage and the orderly layout of systems. We all have been to a boat show, opened a hanging locker and found it converted to the watermaker locker.