hey guys, new here, new to boats. went for a ride on a friends boat and got hooked.

i just picked up a '77 wriedt stinger 18ft jetboat for 100 bucks. needs just about everything. right now im doing all of the stringer, floor, etc and going to make this thing like brand new for next summer.

this boat had the fiberglass tank in the bow which i am cutting out. im going to either an aluminum or plastic tank. ive noticed that some older stinger's had the tanks on the sides of the boat more towards the back.

as for my question, i know it is said that the boats are faster with the tanks in the back, however is there any reason i should keep the tank in the bow on this particular hull? it seems to not be as common as other hull makes but it looks like the same boat as a tahiti tiger.

thanks.

only pic i have of the boat right now, but on the back it says "blood, sweat, & nitrous" the previous owner said it did over 80mph with a bbf 460 on nitrous which seems pretty fast for one of these.

I dont see why you couldnt switch to side tanks.  Without all the weight in the bow the boat will probably be faster.  but with the weight in the bow it will probably ride nicer, but the can be achieved with a place diverter as well.  someone with more knowledge will chime in soon

It will distort the shape of the bottom.  You need to support the hull at the transom and the bow eye and let it hang free underneath.