pputkowski

Boat got a full service including new throttle and shift cables over the winter as well as new Holley fuel pumps and new fuel lines. The fittings on the stbd side were anemic. I swapped on a pair of Mirage 23’s from a buddy’s boat and the difference is night and day. Jumps out of the hole, accelerates much stronger, and runs right at 4800rpm with a full load. One of the new throttle cables needed adjustment, got that straightened out and can’t wait to run it again. Thinking it will be around 65mph with a full tank and two adults, not sure where that will put me on fumes. The 23’s seem to lift the bow and overall the boat just feels better. Even if I’m giving up some top end I think I’m going to run them this season.

pputkowski

The lack of sound at the dock is mostly due to the fact that this boat sits super ass-heavy which puts the tips under the water line.

TomZ

iTrader: (2)

The difference in props could be the model. A Mirage vs a Mirage Plus will be different and could load the engines harder.

4600-5000 is the rpm range of the 454 Magnum/Bravo. (‘88-up).

The 23P Mirage should the right prop and would have been original to the boat. You could run a 25P Mirage (not the Plus) for better cruise so long as it meets the minimum RPM rating if running WOT.

Really nice boat!

Ditch the Silent Blunder. You’ll thank yourself later... so will your transom.

Eddienel

Subscribed. Im really starting to like the old birds.

F14A water jet

Can we change "old bird" to "classic raptor"

Eddienel

Im really starting to like those CLASSIC RAPTORS!!!!!lol

pputkowski

Thanks! I’m aware of the difference between the standard Mirage and the Plus. The boat had Mirage 25’s when I bought it and I swapped them out for Mirage 23’s... not plus. The boat didn’t want to push the 25’s past about 4300rpm. That’s with fresh ignition components, new fuel pumps/lines and throttle cables. It seems to really like the 23’s in comparison. Noticeably quicker out of the hole and acceleration and overall seems to ride much more bow up. Not to mention 4800rpm at WOT with two adults and a full load.

As much as I’d love to ditch the platform for sound and performance, I think they look so ugly without them. The cheap aftermarket aluminum platforms just don’t do it for me.

My next boat will be a few feet longer with thru-hulls

distantthunder

Beautiful boat! If you're going to keep the ST Platform on there, I would do a deep dive and check for any rot or soft spots around the exhaust ports and mounting hardware. Although they are a very nice complement to the boat, they can do some damage to the transom, especially the older the bird gets. If the interior of the ST is water logged, she will be adding unnecessary weight. Every time I have removed one, the boat rode better, was slightly quicker, and of course sounded better. And the aluminum ones definitely aren't cheap but to each is their own

TomZ

iTrader: (2)

Not sure I'd say they're ugly without the ST...

oconnor marine

my 88 with twin bravo, 350 small blocks, 350 hp each does 70 gps.