Just finished prepping mine for tomorrow. Total (dry) weight is 8lb, 4oz. This is as weighed on a postage scale, so it's pretty accurate. CG is 4.75 in back from the leading edge. Sounds like at your weight you should have no problem flying yours, although you will probably want to move the C.G. back as you get comfortable flying this plane.

I was mistaken about the battery. I do have two rails holding up my fuel tank to the correct level, and there is suffecient room for a battery underneath it, but I must have been thinking about another plane with the rectangular hole in the center of the fuel tank tray. The battery on this plane is directly under the receiver, mounted as far forward in the wing saddle as it can. No additional weights, fore or aft added.

I chickened out and only rotated the exhaust a little bit up from where I had it. If I see any change in the "rate of mess", I might try moving it some more. I keep telling myself, baby steps, take baby steps!