Malibu Questions??

We finnally got rid of our boat and now are lookin to get another one. Have some questions for some of you boat geeks like myself. In 2004 they changed the wakesetter lsv I am wondering if the ballast in under the floor on the 2 rear tanks by the engine? Also with the 425 hp 8.1 liter engine any of you that may own this What is the gas drainage like on this one? Is it really bad or somewhat bad? or you don't notice it too much from like the 383 or 350 blocks? Also this was the first year this engine was put out for use and have you had any glitches or problems to speakof? My dealer said they changed some linkage that was bad on them? and the new one has 450 hp too. anyway that is my questions if anybody has some input I would like it greatly.