I've got the Yar-Craft with a 200 V6 Opti on a Jackplate, 9.9 Pro Kicker on a panther static plate and all of my batteries (trolling and starting) at the rear of the boat. At rest, it does sit nose high / stern low. Not to the point that you have to worry about anything, more just know that when you order it, get the 72" shaft trolling motor. I've been out in some really nasty conditions and have yet to dip a single wave over the bow. It however comes at the price that 60" shaft on my Minnkota isn't quite enough when the wind is blowing. End up using it and the kicker. keep telling myself I'm gonna order a 72" shaft TM but that's been going on 3 years now so........
Love the boat, very capable in rough water for it's size and excellent quality and workmanship but just remember, it's still an 18.5 ft boat. when the wind is howling, I still yern for a 21 ftr, lol. FYI, it's a screamer when the lake is calm. With a worked DAH Tempest plus I can run right between 59-60 mph with two guys, full fuel and live wells. My boat was a photo boat for Yar-Craft. Unloaded without the kicker and gear, they ticked over 62 mph with it. Extremely impressive performance for the size of the boat.
FWIW, mercury will be doing a press release on their new 4.6L V8 today which will be the power plant for the 200-300 hp pro xs series. Suppose to weigh in around 505-510 lbs, basically the same as my Opti. Would be a pretty sweet option, not sure when they'll actually be available though.
Feel free to ask any questions, I'm just starting the 4th season on my boat also so I've had plenty of seat time.
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Best I've seen is 59.7 mph. have hit that speed about a 1/2 dozen times. can get over 59 regularly with a normal load. Will run 58+mph on a hot humid august afternoon on glass calm water and no chop. Load it up with 4 -6 people and a big chest cooler and some extra gear, can still squeeze 54-55 mph out of it however when loaded heavy or running rough water I switch props to a DAH customized Mercury Rev 4.
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FYI, this is all on the big lake, no river current helping me
lol