Re: JasonJ ???
The Beast has been performing quite well. I much prefer the center console over the original setup. I really don't like to sit while boating, which is why a center console has always appealed to me. To be honest, I do not know the weight before or after, I just know that it sits much higher in the water at rest now than it did before, and that is based on the original stains on the hull. I never ran the boat when I bought it, I just got it home August of 2002 and tarped it until January of 2003 when I got the wild hair up my arse to convert it to a center console.<br /><br />As far as weight distribution, I feel like it could use some more weight up front, but from the outset I had planned on a foot controlled electric trolling motor with battery up front, and that is still my plan, just as soon as I can convince my bank account that I need it. That will take care of weight distribution. I actually like having the floor low up front. I cannot swim, so I like to have that little bit of safety, and also the better half has a place to lay out on for when we do the recreational thing.<br /><br />I am not sure how it handled before, but it handles pretty darn good now. Once I was sure it wasn't going to self destruct, I did a bunch of manuevers with it to see what it had. It passes the full throttle 180 degree wheel test, at lesser speeds you can throw it into a hard turn and it digs in with no prop venting, nor does the boat slide or slip. It catches air pretty good, and is solid with no flex or noise when it lands. It glides over any chop quite comfortably, easily as well as a conventional deep V hull.<br /><br />Top speed is unconfirmed as of yet, but according to the pitot speedo it just touches 40 mph at 5500 rpms, and I cruise at 22 mph @ 3500 rpms. The motor is a bit of a hog on the gas, but it is a 34 year old 125 horse Merc inline six, not a new 4 stroke. It averages about 4 gallons per hour just cruising, but when I open it up it just eats the gas up.<br /><br />As far as helping people, if I can get just one person to cover their boat when it is raining, I have done my job.
