Cosmetics aside, has anyone considered bridging the sponson fronts to pack air through the tunnel rather than spilling over the deck? It seems these boats could benefit from a bit more aerodynamic lift over hydrodynamic and not have to worry about the trip effect associated with a rear tab.

Interesting subject and more reason why Sparky is the man to talk to. He knows aton about this cat size and design. And yes, the trip effect is associated with this size/design cat. A matter not to be taken lightly. Especially not at the speeds obtained by some of these cats today.

Bottom line is: I want to report to work on Monday morning. or I wish for my friends to hear from me, and not about me.

Okay, now I need specifics. lets all compare ACTUAL results. maybee we can all learn. My Chris is setup with motors way forward and has SSM3's and crashboxes. I believe the cg is slightly more forward than needed. I have driven thru the porpoise but when loaded down it will not. The props spin in(more bow lift) 32x17's and 1.5 gearing, x is .75 above and gps speed is 118@6100. I only have 4.5 lbs boost 509's dyno at 736hp . A side note my props are about as far back from the transome as a bravo on a 12in box. my slip #'s are so good I am afraid to change anything. In the roughest water it flys FLAT and even though it has a hop it never gets loose or wild feeling. tsteph and I have talked about this at length and I am interested in everyones comments. I believe boxes would allow my boat to carry the nose better when loaded.

boxes and more boost andy you know what to do

700 hp, 5 lbs of boost (B&M 250 blower) single 1050 dominator, prop shaft 1/2 in below the hull, 1.32 Imco 2 in lowers, 32 pitch bravo 1 prop spinning in. No extension box and motor at the transom. Hop is about 75 through 95 but not bad, rough water there is no hop. At WOT the nose carries very well. 113 gps at 5200 rpm. there does not seem to be much if any differnce in speed when the tanks are full. It does seem to wollar around more at slow speed when the tanks are full. It planes very easy. 113 was in fairly flat water, I think there is a couple more mph/rpm if rougher water.

One thing I wish we all knew would be the actual weights of our boats.

I think the answer to my original question about moving my motors 12 inches forward comes down to "try it and see".

mine weighs 6800 lb with me and half tanks of fuel

the previous owner told me mine was 7600 with fuel. Charlie, good to see ya here. The boxes would need to be raised to keep my prop high and not loose my X. The old merc 10 inch boxes are tough to locate and very expensive. Im already configured with driveshafts, so I only need the boxes.I hope to intercool and put the boost to 6.5 if time permits this winter.

i know where a set are if you are interested haha in my barn

This is the situation that we all are trying to avoid. Add to this a little angle or being "crossed up" and you stick a sponson and barrel roll.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0utBfPhtjg

That headache has got excederine all over it!!!