Has anyone had any first hand experience with the new ITS system. Obviously the hyd. steering aspect is a huge benefit, aswell as the XR drive. But what about the 7-inch extender box? Is the benefit worth the extra cash?

Sounds like a bad ass setup to me. How much are they?

Buy an XR and add $5,000 for the set up.
http://www.outdrives.com/itsdetails.html

There has been testing done with two identical 38 Powerquest Sportboats. No speed increase. Handling is a bit better. A standard Stellings or Imco Bravo standoff box has 12 inches of standoff the I.T.S. has only 7 inches.

It looks cool, and cleans up the transom at least. I don't think it is much more expensive that buying an XR and hydraulic steering separately.Hopefully it is worth the $$$ since I think I will get it....

I purchased a Powerquest 380 from the Ft Lauderdale boat show, it has HP 500 EFI's with the new ITS drives and no. 30 lab finished props. I had the boat delivered to the dealer on the Ohio river. This dealer has sold a lot of 38' Powerquests. This boat runs a solid 83 on the GPS, which is 3-4 mph faster than the other boats he has sold with same power. However the acceleration and control was what the dealer comented about the most.

The test was done by Powerboat Magazine in what issue I do not remember. The article was on the I.T.S. not Powerquest Powerboats.

Sejman, I think I caught a glimps of what perhaps the boat you bought a few months ago just before it left the PQ factory for the boat show...I only live about 10 miles from there.