just got back from the keys yesterday with my 18'. i just finished it in late july with a raised floor, closed transom and Hermco. it rides well even without trim tabs on yet. i would not say that it's any wetter than my dad's 20'(also in the keys with us) but the ride is not quite as good. although, his is an i/o, so it's not really comparing apples to apples.
i think the liner design is far better than the 20' has as it lends itself to more interior. the factory live well stinks in combo with the 20" transom and low floor drains but that's easily fixed on a rebuild.
i have 150 2s yamaha on the new boat and a 120 omc on my other 18'. i would say that 130 yamaha would be the ideal power for an 18'. i bought the 150 at a deal, but it's more power than the boat needs. did i just say that?
