Were any Savage I/Os made?
 

I have a Tsunami now and am debating 2 projects. Removing windshield and installing hardtop with eisenglass. Or, switching to the savage layout and install a console. I'd prefer the savage layout, just not sure if it would be too cramped with the engine compartment. Would appreciate some feedback!

Yeah I don't think you are going to have enough room with the I/O. I think that's why all the non-outboard CCs were inboards with doghouse consoles.

Up here on CC Bay I see 23 CC's with I/Os pretty regularly. Just not sure if the Savage layout would push the console too far back. Seems doable.

I trailer the boat, so no concerns with the I/O setup.

My 73 23' cc was a original I/o

Back in 1984, at Waterway Marina in P.B.G., we took in trade and later sold a a jack-shafted 23' Savage I/O with a Mercruiser engine located under the center console and an Alpha drive. It was 260 hp small-block motor.
I have no idea about the performance, as I never drove nor rode on that boat. As it did not have the tunnel/pocket for an inboard, I assume the jackshaft was a factory configuration. I don't remember the year of the hull.

I've seen one Tsunami with an I/O via jackshaft over the years but have never seen the CC with a transom I/O with the motor mounted direct in the rear of the boat. I guess they do exist but I've never seen one. Seems it would be very stern heavy in that configuration as well as limiting the working room behind the console. I would think a jackshafted I/O with a center console doghouse would be a well balanced CC offering a considerable amount of usable deck space. Where any of those made?

Metan in the northeast has retrofitted some 23' CCs with jackshafts. (See below link) Motor under the center console and a Volvo Penta duo prop outdrive. It might have been a diesel too (Yanmar), I can't remember. It was a beautiful boat. I think they were asking $125K! ��

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDLwnWmhYtc

cc's with the stern mounted i/o are definitely around, seen a few here on LI. Just track one down, get the measurement from the console to the front of the engine box. Lay it out on in yours, if you're comfortable with the space ten go for it.