When I was racing my Wetback with a Yamato Y80 and the Merc 25ss back in 1973 to 1980 I had full traps that faded to zero at the rear. The deck design on the Wetback creates a lot of aero lift and it made my Wetback light in the front. I used a gas tank in the rear inside aginst the transom it held about 0,6 gallons. Racing weight of boat was 125 lb with hardware and 355 lb minimum to meet APBA rules for 25ssh class and 380 lbs minimum to meet APBA 20ssh rules. I would be only a few pounds above these minimums at end of heats.
Here is a shot under way in the 25ssh class back in 1978 Region 5, Wetback fabric deck was changed to Okume and cowl modified in 1978. 25ss top speed was about 63mph, Pinner 2 blade @ 7100 rpm engine rpm and 16:21 gears, prop shaft level to bottom (no kick out) and 3/4" depth of shaft. With the Yamato Y80 I had to add a small turn fin at the rear to prevent rear spin out in the turns.
If your Wetback is not too heavy and a correct cowl added, gas tank in rear + full traps with a 302 spinning 7100 rpm (correct prop) you should be in the high 60's. At that speed this boat requires carefull trim and driving so be careful
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If your boat is heavy (especially front heavy) you will always have difficulty turning it because the right sponson will be in the water and it will have a tendency to cut left. Make sure your turn fin is far enough outboard on the left spenson so that the fin water spray does not hit the rear deck outer edge.
If you want more specific info on the Wetback PM me.
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