Just how much drag are you trying to reduce? It was noted by Supermarine that flush riveting allowed an increase of 20mph as opposed to round headed rivets, - - - - - but that was on a Spitfire.
Back in the days of IC power, it was necessary to have some form of cooling system. The fitting of choice was the much neater bent brass tube supplied by either RipMax or Keil Kraft. Later, the plastics for everything brigade, much like the superglue fraternity is now, could only come up with the crude monstrosity shown due to the limitations of the material used and the cheapness of tooling to produce it.
In most cases the term 'Scoop' was a misuse as although this effect is now used to create a waterflow. for whatever reason, necessity OR effect, the accepted positioning was immediately behind the prop with the tip of the prop forcing water into the tube. This meant that as soon as the boat was put into the water, the cooling was initiated WITHOUT forward motion, so the term scoop was cobblers.
Back to your original question, if the aerodynamic performance is being compromised, gerrabiggermotor.
Regards Ian.