assinippi - i use the 1088 Batson & 1089 pac bay sabre (soon to be replaced with Batson 1089) and like them both. I think the Batson is a nicer blank - and I use mine conventional with a souped up 6500 Mag Elite or with a Calcutta 400.
If I get a chance I can measure the guides but I'm pretty sure somebody has it on the top of their head
As for that no skid tape, I'm not crazy about it. I did up an 8' St Croix spinner with that stuff and while I do like it somewhat and have gotten used to it, I thhink I like the feel of the cork better. But it is more surable than the cork..
I don't have any probs with the butt at 24" surf lenght in the boat. The biggest problem I have is that the Pac Bay mushroom caps don't fit in many boat rod holders - you may want to use a narrower profile butt cap than the mushroom.