Good looking boat 
Was the engine moved forward or did it come that way?
My boat was built originally by Hondo boats for circle racing. It was called the Dailey Double because then owner/driver (Bob Dailey) liked to gamble.
This is a picture of it from 1976.
Getting a v-drive to "set" right is bit of a balancing act. Flatbottom v-drive boats built for speed must also be rigged for speed. For example, if you guys come across a flatty with the engine back against the transom, it's probably going to have back seats and more of a ski boat rigging. Setting them up this way opens up more passenger space but makes them more prone to porpoising (not good for speed or safety).
My Hondo (I've had it since 94) has both, the back seat and raceboat rigging. The down side is nobody wants to ride in the back seats because there's practically no leg room and the headers get HOT! I use the back seats for camera cases, Ice chests and kids or 1 adult sitting crossways.
Unlike my other boat, this one is no trailer queen.
