Hey mate, I do not have a Colt but took a look at the website, looks like a solid boat.

14 degree deadrise would make it reasonably stable and with a 60hp and that deadrise

it would get up on the plane easily.

I have had both fibreglass and plate ally boats, my prefernce is fibreglass as I find

that the ride in chop is much more comfortable, but each to there own offcourse.

That size boat will be more then capable for what you want to do.

The colt 4.5 but in a runabout.
It is a very solid and stable boat and its the perfect size for a sneaky beach launch. This year I have been getting out into the 40 - 50s weekly.
I also have a 60 4 stroke on and find it ample with 2-3 people but will struggle to get on the plane with 4 people. A yami 70 4 stroke would be the go if your gonna be loading it up.
I try to sit on 30knots out and back and she tops out at 35 - 37 when its those rare still days. At the servo I put in around 35 litres to top it back up and I would think that's for a roughly 100km trip.
Only negative thing for me is that if you turn into a short sharp chop slowly there is a good chance of getting wet as I kept the windscreen fairly sleek.
This can be avoided if you keep the revs up a bit or if I can be bothered to put up the clears.
The boat gets a fair bit of praise at the ramp and is very sea worthy.
I had it custom built and fitted it out myself. Hi Willy if your reading!
pm me if you would like to have a look.

 Cheers Clogwog and Tot.

Thanks very much for your info. Greatly appreciated.

I will be definately getting in touch with Willy at Bullet Welding.

Hope to see you out on the water soon.

Steve