Center of gravity location MA20?

[Chaser]

A little update on performance numbers with T Top and windscreen installed:

WOT: 5800 RPM, 34 KTS, 14 GPH
Cruise: 4000 RPM, 23 KTS, 5 GPH
Slow Cruise: 3500 RPM, 19 KTS, 4 GPH

I can get the boat down to around 15 KTS at 3000 ish RPM, but below that speed it starts to fall off plane.

So I'm getting 4.5-5 MPG at cruising speeds, with T Top and windscreen.

Last weekend we cruised out to Orcas Island (about 1 hr running) in what started as moderate chop in 15-20 knots of wind. Boat handled great. I will say that the suspension seat posts are a HUGE improvement! We can now stay seated through pretty rough water with no issues being jarred around. The boat is WAY stiffer than it was, with the casting platform and cockpit sole fully glued and tabbed to the hull. The rod holder knees help with this a lot too, being very secure and solid now. No more feeling of crashing through the waves, more like pounding, but it feels very solid. On the return trip the breeze had died down and it was pretty flat with very slight chop.

I'm looking forward to installing the Lenco trim tabs, they should help fine tune the ride nicely.

Had a somewhat major fuel leak develop when the pickup popped out of the tank fitting. I fixed that this morning though and hopefully never have that issue again.

With regards to my original question of center of gravity and general weight distribution: I would say that IF you are re-building one of these boats from the ground up, focusing on reducing weight (especially in the stern) will allow you to run a heavier outboard with no decrease in performance.

Looking back I could probably have installed the tank a little further aft than I did. It does change the fore/aft trim of the boat with more/less fuel, which I was concerned about. Not a huge deal, but I'd rather it stay trimmed more evenly throughout the range.

I am LOVING the Honda. Quiet and certainly as powerful as I need. The boat is 5 knots slower than it was at WOT, burns half the fuel at all RPM's, and gets out of the hole better than it did.

Cheers and thanks for all the help from CSC on my project!

[FishStretcher]

If I ever get it done, I will have a bond-in motor splashwell for a 20MA. Designed to allow full tilt forward. I am working on a solid MDF buck. Slowly. But if you have any interest, let me know.