Posted by dgoodhue on 02/08/15 - 10:29 AM
#19
jamesgt727 wrote:I wanted to mention there are a couple of easy mods you can make that will really improve the performance of your 15 classic hull no matter what motor you have astern. First you have to get weight forward in the hull by either or both adding ballast to the forward locker, how I tested it was with a thick garbage bag full of water, then weighed it. Around 50-80lbs does wonders. If you ever refurb or remove the wood seating, I moved my entire seating unit 9" forward of factory location. Second, if you ever flip the hull over for repairs, extend the strakes all the way to the transom. The all around benefit is dramatic, and it would be especially so for a boat with a smaller motor.
I have found that my boat prefers more weight in the rear. I have moved my gas tank around and people around. With two people on the rear seat my engine rpm is spins up to 6200rpm. If I put move the second person to the forward seat, I can only get just a hair over 6000rpm. It is about 1.5mph difference in top speed. The rear pad modification on your boat maybe affecting the trim of the boat WOT. You boat also has a lot more HP than mine does; it maybe closer to double. Their maybe also production variances in the hulls as well.
When I replace my motor and/or refinish my interior, I am definitely going to make the hull mods that you have. My boats (as it is set up) is just as fast with one person as two, because the out of control chine walking with one person. I probably won't over power my boat.