[envy83]

I'm looking at embarking on and teardown and rebuild of a 16.5', 1986 Forester Phantom (with a 1987 150hp Johnson). The plan is to make this a dedicated wakeboard machine and so I will be adding ballast tanks, and building a tower. My question is, in the new layout me and my friend have come up with, we think a center console would be a good choice (a sit down, slightly lower profile console than a typical one). However, with this big of an engine on the boat, is this going to cause the boat to tilt excessively to port without the drivers weight being on the starboard side?

[Knightgang]

It should not cause unusual tiling. I have an 18' center with a 115 and I do not have any tilting doe to the center console. Read the thread in General Discussions about "Why the helm is on the starboard side" and draw your own conculsions.There are many makes of fishing boats today that are center console and they do not have tilting issues while underway.Knightgang

[JasonJ]

I converted a 16.5 foot bowrider with walk-through windsheild to a center console and it has a 125 horse motor. I notice a slight tilt when I am at full throttle and I am alone, but once I put another carcass in the boat it goes away. Even still, it is not a big deal. Go ahead with the conversion, it will be okay.

[envy83]

Sounds good Jason. Those are pretty darn close to my specs and I'm usually boating with a crowd.

[JasonJ]

Post lots o' pics. We loves lots o' pics....