Looks like I'm joining the Seacraft family...

[Handful in NC]

I have nearly identical boats with one being a standard V8 I/O and the other an I/O converted to a Hermco bracket with a 250 Etec. Both have cabins. There are plenty of comments on the forum about weight distribution, but my experience is forward weight is not an issue.

Addressing I/O versus OB conversions: It's REALLY nice to get that I/O engine box out of the way - like making the boat 3-4 feet longer - and the gain in storage space under the deck and at the transom is significant if you do it right. Furthermore, a motor outside of the hull envelope is cleaner, quieter, and easier to service.

If you run in salt water and are not meticulous, make that fanatical, with the care of your I/O, you are going to have unavoidable corrosion issues, which can be expensive.

My I/O lives in fresh water, and it still requires significant and frequent maintenance. My salt water Etec has required exactly one scheduled servicing in 3 1/2 years, and other than keeping the head doused with anti-corrosion spray, I don't baby it. What an amazing piece of technology.

If this tells you anything... when my I/O needs major work, I get tired of messing with it, and/or I move the boat to salt water, that I/O is coming OUT and being replaced with a Hermco bracket with an outboard. Maybe even a 4 stroke!