Lew,I have the same problem as you with the stern sitting lower than it should.When under power,and on plane,my boat also has the outside corners a bit under water.I think it's common with most of the I/O powered Sceptre/Tsunami models.

It's way to late now,but I wish I had used a lighter core material like coosa when I did the restore instead of plywood.
When I removed the rotted core from the rear transom cap,and got rid of the bait wells,I had loads of roving laying around,so I stupidly layed up something like ten layers of it instead of using core.I could park a car on it,but it didn't help in the weight dept.
I think if I had used a synthetic core on all the areas like the transom,hatches,cap,and deck floor.I could have saved considerable weight.
That along with the kicker motor,4 downriggers with 15lb weights and other goodies doesn't help either.The scuppers are a nightmare,thank god for plugs.
My thanks to FR.Frank and also to Prop Gods for helping me get the right prop.

The guys at Prop Gods were great to deal with.

Lew here's a few shots of the boat under power.The first shows the waterline in a troll at about 3mph,you can see how low it sits.Even when on plane the stern doesn't rise up much.
The second is under power on plane(hard to see.it's a long distance shot).and the third is coming down off plane.Water conditions were calm in the first picture,and probably about a 1-2' chop in the last two pics.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/easy2/photo-1.png

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/...i/100_2385.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/...i/100_2386.jpg

John, I think you're right about the I/O models sitting a little lower in the water, even on plane . . . if you look at that Boating Magazine article I sent you of the tests of the I/O and OB powered Tsunami's, they had a good shot of both lightly loaded boats running together at high speed and you can clearly see the chine at the transom of the OB model! Looks like the entire outer panel was dry! The OB model had twin I-6 Mercs and the other had twin 165 I-6 Mercruisers, so the OB model would have been much lighter. Interesting that the min running angle on the I/O was a little flatter (3 degrees vs. 4 for the OB), so either the extra weight is enough further forward to shift CG further forward on the I/O, or what's more likely is that the power trim was more effective at controlling running angle on the outdrives than on the outboards.

BTW, I still have a .pdf file of that excellent 9 page article. Will be glad to forward it to anyone that wants a copy if you'll just PM me with an e-mail address. Denny

Here is mine at hull speed

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/d...1/f0a3473a.jpg

And on plane just below cruise speed.

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/d...1/b9b47310.jpg

Speaking of performance I know the Carla Dee "Entourage" will run 48 mph with 4 guys on board, 350 mpi b-2, Thats more like it.

She sits about the same as ours off plane.

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/d...6_192919-1.jpg

My goal is to make mine look something like this.....

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/d...202_224025.jpg

Denny,I think you're correct about there being enough weight forward on the Sceptre models to give them that flat running angle.I know that even without touching the tabs,I can get the boat to jump on plane extremely quick.
As you mentioned,the running differences between the I/O & OB model in that article are striking.The outboard was much higher out of the water.I would assume that if the same could be achieved with the I/O's,the speed would be increased significantly.

BTW,thanks again for that article. Funny, I just bought the original article from a seller on EBAY for $10.00.
I guess I didn't read the ad all that well,because he only sent me the article,not the entire magazine(1973 Boating).It's still kind of neat having the original article though.

Rod,That's about where mine rides as well.I'll bet you're glad you didn't remove the hardtop.She looks good.You should be receiving the light today or tomorrow,as UPS tracking says it's on time.

Anyone runnin a 4 blade?

I WANT MY SIGN! {instert emoticon of Khrushchef pounding the podium.......here|

Sandy,

You can be counted on for coming up with truly original humor. Don't you EVER die Guy!

Hey BigEasy,

I apologize for miscrediting Floorboy with regard to the prop isuue. I will definitely contact to "Prop Gods" when the time comes.

Sandy raises a good question though. Is anyone with this configuration running a 4 blade, stern lifting prop? Seems like an obvious question. I never really thought about it and that probably says more about me than anything else!

One thing I do know is that I will not give up that rock solid feeling in the nasty's that I have never felt in any other hull in this class!

yup...merc 4 blade offshore - with a little tweakin'...

Pelican,

So, what is the ride and performance like? Before and after, if you can add some dimension to that would be great. How much fuel is on board? Other factors?

Also, what are we talking about, "a little tweaking"?