Boat Discussion

[enkeivette]

Who was it in here that was a boat Guru? Was it Guy??

Anyways I sold my boat... and Im not ready to buy a new one but I was hoping to learn more and buy something thats a better fit this time.

For those of you that dont know, jet boats are not built for top speed, theyre built to be nimble. You can go 50 mph and whip the wheel and the boat will just grab and change direction without a complait. But the downside to a jet is the 50 mph top speed and having to listen to the motor operate under full load while youre cruising that fast.

So I guess Im asking for education on boat drives. I want something that can be hooked to a car engine, but can cruise at 60 mph without needing WOT. I want something inexpensive and low profile like a jet boat, but thats more efficient with its requirements for power to maintain speed. It was just too much damn noise all the time.

[Vettezuki]

Ain't 60mph kinda fast in water? What are the options other jet and prop? (At the cheap level, nevermind hydrofoil, etc. )

[enkeivette]

V Drive, stern drive, surface drive, out board...

[enkeivette]

Looks like direct drive is the best, but v drives are a close second and more readily available.

And 60 isnt fast anywhere :)

[Shaolin Crane]

Just get any boat with a standard bravo outdrive and you'll be fine. Many boat will do 60mph with a stock sbc and an out drive. V-drives and direct drive are cool but you cant adjust the prop height, which means one time you forget or dont know somethings under it not only will you fuck up the prop but it will likely rip a portion of the boat off.

[enkeivette]

An inboard-outboard? Is that what its called? I saw a drive that designated 1 speed, does that mean some drives have 2 or more speeds?? I like the sound of that.

[Shaolin Crane]

Yes, an inboard-outboard is what you want. Some drives do have more then one speed,, but you're talking alpha and xj drives which cost 10k+ on their own.

[Shaolin Crane]

Ain't 60mph kinda fast in water? What are the options other jet and prop? (At the cheap level, nevermind hydrofoil, etc. )

No
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/PICT0033-5.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/PICT0034-5.jpg

[enkeivette]

Hey Guy, how practical would it be to buy something like this: http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/3023548842.html
and drop in a FI V8?

[enkeivette]

I love the idea of something compact and roomy like that, with the engine tucked away, but I want to be able to cruise at 70 or 80

[Shaolin Crane]

Hey Guy, how practical would it be to buy something like this: http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/3023548842.html
and drop in a FI V8?

Not very practical at all, it would almost need everything changed

[enkeivette]

Que?

What kinda boat is that in the pic?? Out of my price range from the looks of it?

[Shaolin Crane]

It was the 81 lavey craft power boat magazine, built by banks, twin turbo 383. My dads boat, not mine.

The boat you listed would need a new bell drive, throttle assembly, base mounts etc. Its not as simple as doing a transplant in in a car.

[enkeivette]

Oh you meant changed! I thought you actually meant v hanged... thought that was some boat lingo... hahaha.

Thanks Guy

[Shaolin Crane]

Oh you meant changed! I thought you actually meant v hanged... thought that was some boat lingo... hahaha.

Thanks Guy

Fat fingers on my phone. lol.

[injdinjn]

I had a 79 Carrera 25ft off shore cruiser. 350 vette Volvo 280 IO. Previously called Crusader, now defunct, Eliminator built a almost identical boat. it would run about 50mph and I could get it airborne using the wakes of bigger boats.
The deep v of the 25ft and longer boats gives a much better ride and a 25 over a 23 is a lot bigger inside. 2- 35 gal tanks.
Ours had a sundeck over the motor so I could stow a lot of stuff in there on each side of the motor and still seat 5 comfortably. Those under the deck love seats are a joke. Trust me, the less seating the less freeloaders you will have.
When the dummies built the boat the installed the motor and outdrive too high. So they had to put a 4in extension on the outdrive (fishing boats have up a 18in extension) and it made it much easier to change the oil.

Our group had 3 of these a 78, my 79 and a 81 or 82. the 81 was built during the slump in the economy and he had less glass then the 78 and 79 and could literally leave us in the dust. So the owner of the 78 rebuilt balanced and bluepinted his engine, blueprinted the carb, took the cup out of the bottom and dished it requiring cavitation plates. We all raced and the 78 and 79 ran neck and neck and the 81 just motored away. Guess who was really pissed.
The sleeks are heavier and therefore a little slower but real nice boats. I personally would not own a open bow.
At that time the volvo, mercruiser IO would only support a 350ci motor, Stern drive would support a bigger motor but their drives were expensive. Some of these old boats now have built 455s in them with the same 280 outdrives the outdrive won't last with those big motors.
IOs are nice, you can steer at slow speeds, unlike jets, they popup if you run over something saving your $100 prop (1980 price). And with the IO directed exhaust are quiet.
Here is one that will probably blow the IO out soon http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/boa/3049500380.html

If I found a nice boat with a big block in it, I would sell the motor and put a nice 350 ls in it.

A company in FL is selling a ls outboard IIRC ~550hp. Bring a check with 5 digits on it.

[enkeivette]

Just saw a crusader, did it look kinda like this?

http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/ww122/enkeivette/a81d9f9f.jpg

Id love a boat like the one you posted, but Ill need to store it in a garage, so Im limited to prob about 18 feet.

[Shaolin Crane]

if you want something small thats not a jet dont over look an outboard. Many are light and can be had with a v8. Just more technical to work on.

[injdinjn]

Just punch the back wall of the garage out, probably just the kitchen anyway and with the outdoor grills these days who needs a kitchen.:jester:

[enkeivette]

Haha, dont have a wall to punch out. Had to move back home till I find a job, which is why I sold my boat in the first place... and I was just over it. Haha. Im really just curious and planning ahead. But when I do move back put itll be in an apt, and whatever I get will have to fit in a single car garage again.

I wont overlook outboards Guy. Seems to me, v drive, direct, or outboard Ill be ok. So long as Im not trying to force water through a jet Ill get my top speed and ligh throttle crusing.

[Vettezuki]

So what exactly is good about "jet" boats? No prop to whack people's legs, etc.?

[Shaolin Crane]

I honestly think the best boat for that would be a hurricane. Its a fiber glass bottom "pontoon" boat with a v8. They typically go around 60-70mph but have a huge deck for space.

[Shaolin Crane]

So what exactly is good about "jet" boats? No prop to whack people's legs, etc.?

Agility, shallow water operation, size. Its like the difference between a car and a motorcycle.

[Shaolin Crane]

This is an 89 hurricane inboard/outboard http://imt.boatwizard.com/images/1/74/16/3817416_-1_20111219081658_0_0.jpg

[Shaolin Crane]

Another.
http://www.iboats.com/sites/summersetmarine/site_page_16883/images/l_vp2710104_8.jpgthey come in 16-28' lengths in varios layouts, some with metal side rails and some with full wal fiberglass. Expect tp pay 4-10k depending

[enkeivette]

Agility definitely, my Tahiti could out handle my Vette. You would be freaking amazed the lateral Gs a jet boat can pull.

[Small White Car]

Get yourself a cracker box, front engined and a prop coming out of the middle, go flat bottom and then 45 will feel like 450!

[injdinjn]

There is nothing like a flat bottom big block V drive for sheer terror on the water.

Question:

What does a jet boat eat for lunch?















Answer
Ski rope.

[Shaolin Crane]

There is nothing like a flat bottom big block V drive for sheer terror on the water.

Question:

What does a jet boat eat for lunch?















Answer
Ski rope.
tis true, i have a buddy with a 76 cole flat bottom v with a 15.7:1 544 ford. 140mph has never scared the shit out of me so much.

[enkeivette]

Theres no way you did 140 on the water. I see guys with big inch blown big blocks maxing out with v drives at 70-80 mph. Some cant break 70 with a few people in the boat.

The 1200-1500 hp closed top race boats barely pull 140mph.

More disagreement, we're on a roll.