Kahuna, good luck with your refit. At time of the buy I too was concerned with extra 200 lbs of the 4.3 L vs the 3.0. But went ahead anyway and figured I'd just compensate by leaving oversized fishing pal shoreside. The chain is handy if I need it.
You're right the V6 does sit back a bit as you can see it opens up space forward where the original 4 cyl apparently extended to.
This is link that Hermit put me on to by two owners before me - stern didn't look too low in water to me but others may feel otherwise.
pics by prior owner
Thanks Big, and everytime I see photos of your boat I think it looks great, like it rides smooth and you're having a blast.....makes me want to throw mine in water right away until I look outside and see the snow and ice and slush. Ooops, you're coming back..you will have to re-acclimate.