more(or less) isn't always better
 

I took the swim platform off my 86 206 it is a pre silent thunder with exhaust tips over the platform which I never liked. I plan on building an aluminum that will go over the tips. Anyway I thought taking off 130 pounds off the back would be nice but actually combined with stainless marine exhaust and aluminum air gap intake thats 280lbs off the back. It planes nice but now the 23 laser 2 is having trouble holding the bow and blows out fairly easy at faster speeds if trimmed up. Looks like I may be adding a 100 pounds of ballast in the stern. I do like the clean look of the square transom with angled tips

bravo drive is a bit longer than alpha if that's what you have. Also, if adding ballast, make it useful weight at least. Like extra batteries or maybe even a big-block engine would be nice.

I agree with your suggestions, hate to add dead weight to a boat, I already have 2 batteries back there. I think once I build an aluminum platform most of the weight will be bolted back onto the transom anyway. In the meantime I may add a little ballast weight at the transom. Its definetly not that bad, just can't quite carry the bow for top speed like I could even with the laser 2 which is a known bow lifting prop.

Most people would think taking weight out of a boat will make it faster, but if that weight is taken out of the wrong place that might not be true.

Makes you think Formula knew what they were doing by adding a box and filling it with water all their speed boats. People might not like it but it serves a purposes.

I always felt the lasers 2 were junk prop compared to others I have tested/used. Try Mirage and have local prop guy thin the blades and add cup. Worked on a few for me.

I have a 25 mirage and a 25 mirage plus to try(props for the 272). The boat lightly loaded should turn them 4800 or so but what I need is a 23 mirage plus. I agree the laser 2 seems to lack in diameter and cup for my boat although with stock power it was not an issue but could only turn a 21

My older Mirage's worked better than the plus's...even tried solid hub ones.

Agreed, he will probably like the 25 standard mirage if he thinks he needs a 23 plus.

I put the 25 mirage on today and was impressed. Planed easy and cruise speed was much faster but best thing was no more blowing out at higher speeds. Top rpm was 4800 which was what I figured as a 23 was 5200 and 21 5700. Looks like I need a 23 mirage to get my rpms to 5200 or so and not strain the drive. Also top speed was about the same at 63gps but at 4800 I am low on rpms a 23 mirage may be a little faster as I will be nearer peak horsepower rpms

Put a 23 mirage on it 64 at about 5200 no more blow out so I'm happy.

I have a cool 25 gallon Pyramid shaped water tank right in the nose of my 255...never have filled it...maybe I should.

Haha unless for some reason you need bow weight I dont think it would help. I do know when the lady's sit down forward in the 272 in choppy rougher water the boat does ride nicer its like putting the tabs down a bit