What makes the boats of today so fast?
#22
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Talk to richie powers about this and you will be very surprised how little the steps make a difference. For example, take a straight bottom 38TG, build it to the same weight as the new twin steps, put 525's with ITS transoms, high x, and 5 blade props. I bet it would be very very close to running with the TS boat. Most likely 2-3 mph in perfect conditions.
#24
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Take the evolution of the 35 Fountain for example.
The original 1995-ish single-stepped bottom 35 Ex with side-by-side HP 500's and 4 blade Hydromotive props ran around 81 and came up on plane in a snap.
In around 2000 Fountain introduced their new twin step design (with much larger steps) and with everything else constant the boat picked up 3- 5 Mph because of the advanced step design. The 35 Lightning now topped out around the 85 - 86 MPH range.
From 2003 on Fountain switched to 525's and the 35' twin steps broke the 90 MPH barrier. But about the same time advancements in design of 5 props allowed Reggie to start really raising the X diminsion on his Fountains and the speed of the 35 twin stepped side-by side-Lightnings crept up to the 94 range by 2006. However, as the X was raised getting on plane became more and more of a chore.
In 2007 Reggie introduced the Staggered 35 Lightning. He sacrificed a great deal of cockpit space in order to do the stagger but with 525's and now 6 blade Herrings the boat exceeded 100 mph.
The original 1995-ish single-stepped bottom 35 Ex with side-by-side HP 500's and 4 blade Hydromotive props ran around 81 and came up on plane in a snap.
In around 2000 Fountain introduced their new twin step design (with much larger steps) and with everything else constant the boat picked up 3- 5 Mph because of the advanced step design. The 35 Lightning now topped out around the 85 - 86 MPH range.
From 2003 on Fountain switched to 525's and the 35' twin steps broke the 90 MPH barrier. But about the same time advancements in design of 5 props allowed Reggie to start really raising the X diminsion on his Fountains and the speed of the 35 twin stepped side-by side-Lightnings crept up to the 94 range by 2006. However, as the X was raised getting on plane became more and more of a chore.
In 2007 Reggie introduced the Staggered 35 Lightning. He sacrificed a great deal of cockpit space in order to do the stagger but with 525's and now 6 blade Herrings the boat exceeded 100 mph.
#27
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I think that 38 scarab AVS needs some fine tuning as Humpsters boat runs 92mph with 850 a side.
I agree great chronology with the 35 fountain -- how was the handling and seat of your ass feel as the hull was lightened and the larger steps produced more of a cushion of air underneath the hull?
I like speed and yet I've ridden in some boats that should not go as fast as they do ;0
I agree great chronology with the 35 fountain -- how was the handling and seat of your ass feel as the hull was lightened and the larger steps produced more of a cushion of air underneath the hull?
I like speed and yet I've ridden in some boats that should not go as fast as they do ;0
#28
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Okanagan Falls BC. Canada
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what makes today's boats faster? More HP. My friend's old 1998 35 Fountain 600SC's with Blowershop blowers can run 100 with light load. We had it up to 96 [ clocked by helicopter at the poker run ] with 4 people on board and half fuel. Boat is pretty light given the foam core hull and step. Install some Merc 1100's or 1350's and it would fly [ literally apart, pun intended ] haha.
My 25'7" boat is designed in 1990 to run on a single BB to about 65-68. Got twin small blocks and it runs up to 76. No magic there, just more power.
My 25'7" boat is designed in 1990 to run on a single BB to about 65-68. Got twin small blocks and it runs up to 76. No magic there, just more power.
#29
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Coolers full of Bud Light instead of Budweiser?
#30
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[ATTACH=CONFIG]504285[/ATTACH]
The 35's evolution is a great example.
Steps, stagger, balance, etc.; but look how high these drives are mounted. Drive height and prop technology makes this one fast.
The 35's evolution is a great example.
Steps, stagger, balance, etc.; but look how high these drives are mounted. Drive height and prop technology makes this one fast.