2 reasons mine is backwards...number one is I have taken a couple of accidental roosts from other boats...ok ok one was intentional...number two is I dont run a flame arrestor

sooo if you mite "accidently" get roosted, mount it backwards.... what about preformance??

 there is no ill effect to performance if you mount it backwards. I also run mine backwards

I agree w/ Nordie, they look better forward.
Years ago I had a friend who ran the scoop forward w/ no spark arrestor. Every once in a while it would send a fire ball right up the center between the 4 of us. We always leaned to the outside when the boat was being started.

It IS possible to get roosted with them backwards........I did it to Nick unintentionally. 'twas ok, but coulda been bad, 

How it works out is this. Legally, if you have flame arrestors, OK to run 'em either way. Without flame arrestors, they HAVE to be faced away from the engine compartment on open engine boats. Closed engine compartments, you have no choice, they gotta be there.

In practice, Circle Racing boats run 'em that way because theres a LOT of water spraying around everywhere, at least that's what I think. Drag racers don't have this issue, really.

FWIW, my honest opninion is that while it takes around 10-15 HP difference to feel it "seat-of-the-pants" in a street or drag car, with NO OTHER CHANGES, it would take at least a 50 HP difference to feel it in these jet boats. You're not gonna see that with which direction the scoop is pointed.........

Ray

3.  Water entry into the engine is a concern when facing forward, but I never had a problem with people spraying me. 

As long as you stay in front of Ray you should be O.K. 

As long as you stay in front of Ray you should be O.K. 

Yeah, that HAS happened more than once,  N8, Gil, Nick, and I think I got Skip once.

Ray