The boat has classic lines and looks good without having to dress it up with striping. Although mine is a 11 1964 Sprite it has the same hull shape and the tops are close except mine has small fins in the back at the top of the slope that runs into the cockpit. I didnt restore it to original I restored it to my liking. I run a 1959 35HP Evinrude (it probably weighs as much as your 65 LOL) on mine and the way they have a narrow design in the back my side molding was just under water at a standstill. Theres no flotation in mine to get soggy and weigh it down, its just the way the boat is designed. I changed mine from back to back seats into a two seater and moved the fuel tank in between the seats. It made a lot more room in the boat since I like to fish and took some of the weight away from the back for going into shallow water. She likes to run with the nose down, it is the only way it will get up on plane so you might want to try tucking your motor in and see if it makes any improvement. I tried to run the tank under the bow but it ruined the handling making it to nose heavy, you may have to experiment with yours. I had to remove all the side molding and glass it solid because it was riveted and the cause of a lot of leaks, the way the hull is designed when it is up on plane the water runs up the sides of the boat. Then I just put automotive self adhesive body side molding on and its held up for five years now. You would think that boat would get up and go being 14 with a 65 Hp engine, even with a boat load of people. Theres just to many variables to get into that to much all I can say is if you want it to perform better your going to have to start experimenting.
Pending the photos of the interior, I can suggest that some storage racks be added to the sides aft of the seats. Also consider relocating your fuel tanks to underseat or under front deck configuration. Another option is to build a shelf under the front deck so that there is a two level storage area for loose items.<br /><br />I found that putting a 14 gal permanent gas tank under the front deck (in the bow) gave me a lot more space in the rear (minus two 6 gallon portables), and helped the ride of my boat a lot. Now I have more space for stuff under the splashwell, and can still store "soft" stuff up front on either side of the gas tank (towels, camera bags, baby bags) because soft stuff fits in odd shapes well. I still plan on putting in a full width shelf (about 60" x 10") across just behind the gas tank (and in front of your legs) to hold convenience stuff - camera, maps, etc.<br /><br />Here is a pic from before the gas tank was installed, but you can see that the two ski racks on either side come in handy for storing stuff, also there are two consols L & R of the front seats that come in handy for storing loose items. <br /><br />
<br /><br />Oh! Oh! Oh! How about water proof saddle bags to hang over the sides? They could double as fenders! 
