drove it myself today, full of fuel, 3 guys 91 on GPS, TLC??? other then a little cleaning the boat is a strong 9 out of 10. air shore power.. loaded up nice package:Score-101010:

Was steering working properly? It felt to me like there was an issue with the power steering, and some of the gauges were acting goofy. Nothing major just minor issues. This was my first experience driving this hull. Was the porpous a normal charcteristic or was I not able to find the proper trim settings to stop it, and is it normal for it to lean so hard to the outside of turns?

the tachs were not working properly, & the steering needed fluid & to be pressurized, porpoise disappears after 80 (trim setting no higher then 3)... & the turning sucks because the prop rotation was inward, we will get her dialed in

I really agonized about buying that boat. A great bullet proof package and very clean. I dont see that boat being any less in value no matter old it gets. Your buddy got a great buy and I hope he enjoys it. For the type of boating I do I need more cockpit area, that was my main issue with the boat. Im looking at a 30 or 33 Elininator now.

Might want to look at an AO as well. Same boat with more cockpit room between the front and rear seats.

DO ALL OF THE A/O,s have more room in the cockpit as the above photo shows or just certain years.

I was wondering if the AO had more room or not. The boat I looked at had a good foot between the front of the motor and the rear of the seat. It made for huge swim platform but not much room in the cockpit. It looks like the front seats are narrower on your boat also. That would provide more cockpit area and make it easier to get in the cabin. Does your boat porpous?

All cats porpous at some speed. Some more then others. Center pods can make some difference as all. All American Offshore's have that interior style and have a lot more room in them then the Awesomes do. Here is a pic that might help show how much room there is.

yep, the McLeod bolsters take up alot of valuable cockpit room, really the rear bulkhead could be moved back a foot or so to open up the cockpit... - just don't bring out fat chicks;)

I like the dash in an awesome better then the AO's flat plate. I looked at an awesome prior to the AO with the intentions of moving the bulkhead but it looked like a lot of work.