Good wakeboard wake w/ minimal ballast (though I wouldn't run it with none.) Superb surf wake with LOTS of ballast. Plan on upgrading to a perfect pass style system if you really want to get serious about wakeboarding.
Wake-plate does help but the setting for surfing and the setting for wakeboarding are different.... I can only do one or the other without (manually) adjusting it.
I'd put $5 on that boat having stringer issues. Seems like they all do. He must suspect something is up. $4700 is "mechanic special" sort of pricing.
I don't think that the BBC is any less efficient than the small blocks are. I also get 6-7gph while surfing or wakeboarding. Doesn't seem too far off what newer boats use. In fact, my friend with the x-star uses a lot more fuel (and also pushes a lot more weight with a lot more power.)
Former owner of a 1987 Supra Saltare. Current owner of a Malibu 23LSV.