cp5899

iTrader: (1)

I just bought (haven't picked up yet) a 88 either 235 or 220 (not sure yet...LOL) with a 454 and bravo one. This is my first speed boat and I'm curious what this setup can do as far as top speed. What is the usual cruising rpm/mph of a boat this size.

Thanks in advance.

picklenjim

Hard to say with out knowing exactly what 454 it is. I'll go out on a limb and say upper 50's at 44-4600 rpm.

cp5899

iTrader: (1)

I think its the 330hp motor.

Thanks for the reply.

tinman565

Depends on the prop too. I'll say 57-58 mph on a good day.

Budman II

iTrader: (1)

I have the exact same boat - I bought it with the 350 Mag/Alpha combo and it ran about 51 mph very lightly loaded with 2 people. Swapped that for a warmed over 454 oval port motor with Q-jet carb and stock exhaust, Bravo 1.36:1 drive and was getting about 58 mph with a full load of people and gear, 61 mph or so on a good day with 2 people and no extra junk in the cabin. Just repowered with a 489 rectangle port engine with HP500-ish roller cam, lightning headers, Holley carb, etc. Have not run this combo yet, so we will see what she will do. My buddy BadDog has an 89 235 Force with HP500 clone and he is getting about 70 MPH. His came out of the mold with the 330/Bravo and was getting consistent high 50's to around 60, so TinMan pretty much nailed it.

Biggest problem with these boats is getting the bow up out of the water to reduce drag. Most of them came with a fridge in the cuddy, and when you tend to load up all the storage nooks in that cabin with gear and junk, it weighs it down in the front. You need a prop with a lot of cup to get that nose up out of the water. These boats do have a ton of room in the cabin, however, which is one of the things I like about them. If you have a 235, you will have at least 3 feet of "stretch your legs out" room between front and back seats. The 220 is the same boat basically with most of that length taken out between the seats.

While you are at it, ditch that teak wood swim platform for one of the fiberglass swim platforms off of an early 90's Outlaw or Bandit. They fit right on there, and it really updates the looks of the boat. Wither that, or spring for one of the fancy powder coated aluminum platforms. I hate all the extra maintenance headaches of the teak platforms.

Good luck, and enjoy your new boat. Do you mind disclosing a ball park on the purchase price?

cp5899

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Budman. It is good to finally hear from someone who has one. I haven't been able to find much info online about the boat. Have you had any major issues with the boat or do they seem to be good hulls? I do plan on doing alot of updating on the boat to get it to look like a newer boat. I have a complete fab shop and was planning on making a tubular swin platform and powdercoat it the color I decide to paint the boat. I also plan on having all the gauge cluster panel and switch panel machined out of alum. and either painted or polished. Many plans just ready to go pick it up. Due to schedules I have to wait a week.

cp5899

iTrader: (1)

Yes, mine has the refridge in the cuddy as well. I thought about taking it out if it doesn't work and putting a sub inclosure there. Have to see the space once I pick it up.

Budman, if theres anything else you can suggest I do with the boat I'm open to ideas from others who have owned the boat.


Thanks everyone for the replies

jeffswav

You should see 54-55 MPH with the 330HP and 21 Mirage prop, with the Mag engine 365HP you would see about 58-59. Dont get so obsessed with the speed thing, it gets expensive.
If you are talking about speeds always use a GPS or Radar for reference. The Dream O Meters all read fast.

pantera232

I have a perfect 21 apollw prop if you need it,

Budman II

iTrader: (1)

My experience with these boats has been high 50's with a good running 330. The mag should bring you to around 62 - 63 if no junk in the cuddy. That has always been my biggest problem - the boat just has so much storage room on it that you can get sucked into accumulating all kinds of junk stashed away in there. Especially if you like to overnight on the boat and the wife and kids come along. It does have a lot of room for the size boat it is - I have not found too many boats in its size range that have as much room in the cockpit. And when you look at it, that is where you spend the majority of your time.

If I had it to do over, I would have gone on up to the Force 265. It's just like the 235, but with an extra 3 feet up in the cuddy. Most are singles, although there are some twin setups floating around out there. A good running 502 in one of those boats should see low 60's. Twin small blocks would also be a nice setup in one of those hulls.

BTW, Jeff is correct in not getting caught up in top speed numbers. Try to go for a setup that maximizes your cruising speed while also allowing the engine to make 4400 - 4800 RPM on the top end. You will spend most of your time running between 3000 - 3800 RPM. You should be seeing 35 - 43 MPH at those RPM's.