26 Nova II top speed
 

Hey guys,
I've got a 1988 Wellcraft Nova II (26ft) with a singe 502 - Bravo 1 drive. The engine is a GM performance 450 HP@5250RPM (iron head) crate motor with about 40 hrs on it. Carb is Edelbrock 750 marine, marine electric fuel pump. The current prop is a mirage 21 pitch 3 blade stainless. Straight thru hull ex., no trim tabs. Normally runs about 5200 rpm and about 56-58 mph. I bought the boat w/ this set up and am curious what you guys think about this speed. I know it's heavy (at least 5200 dry), but I would think it ought to go a little faster with considering the power that it has. Any ideas/advice?
Thanks,
John

Re: 26 Nova II top speed
 

I like those Novas. Had one once.

Advice:

Kwitcherbeatchin.

You are doing pretty good all things considered. (Weight, etc.) My 1987 26' with twin SBCs won't do more than 50.

Idea: if you want to go faster than 60, you need a different boat.

Re: 26 Nova II top speed
 

damn My 26ft larson just hit 70.5 5100rpm on GPS last week , I guess Im doing good for a 502EFI

Re: 26 Nova II top speed
 

I hate it when I get dusted by a Larson.

Used to hate it when those little 80's Horizon GTs used to dust me too.

Re: 26 Nova II top speed
 

I Had A 1987 26 Nova With Stock 350 Mags/alpha Drives W/23 Mirage Props That Went 62.5 On Gps At 5400. Check Trueness Of The Bottom And Experiment With Different Props If You Can.

Re: 26 Nova II top speed
 

YOU HAVE THE WRONG SETUP. i HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A SINGLE ENGINE 26 nOVA. i HAD A 93 NOVA WITH BIG BLOCKS AND FRIENDS WITH 88 26 NOVA WITH SMALL BLOCKS NEVER A SINGLE. YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER A DIFFERENT BOAT FOR MORE SPEED. I KNOW SOMEONE POSSIBLY SELLING A CUSTOM 93 NOVA SPYDER WITH TWIN 454 IF INTERESTED

Re: 26 Nova II top speed
 

Nova 26'ers (loa no platform) are just heavy deep V-'s. T-350 mags will get the GPS to 61 mph tops with 21 pitch props. Go to 23 pitch and the boat burns a tank of gas to get on plane. To light those boats up you need T-600 HP engines to get near the upper 80's. I know 'cause I have been there. They are mini-wavecrushers but not efficient at all. When you figure a Fountain 29'er which is about the "same size" will do 80+ with a single 525 efi you can see where I am coming from.

Re: 26 Nova II top speed
 

Thanks guys. The boat was a factory single 330hp merc. The guy I got it from put the 450HP crate motor in to replace the original due to a miss he could not figure out (probably a burned valve)- As far as not being the right set up, it might not have been common, but it definitely was offered factory from wellcraft. I have not checked it on a GPS yet, so it maybe a little faster/slower than my speedo says and I need to verify that. I really think if I had twin smalls, for a total of 520 hp, the weight of the extra engine/drive would probably cancel most of the extra 70Hp I would gain. The bottom of the boat is in pretty good shape. Maybe I will try some different props just to see. The guy I got it from did mention he tried one from his friend at the marina, he really liked it and the boat went 62 on the GPS, but he couldn't remember what pitch (big help). I'm afraid to fool with the pitch too much, since this one gets out of the hole pretty well and runs just about at my HP peak at WOT.

Re: 26 Nova II top speed
 

I know of one that runs 90mph with twin 434ci 570HP small blocks and Bravo's :D
It's also for sale, PM me if interested.

Re: 26 Nova II top speed
 

I figured about right imagine a 26'er that needs close to 1200 HP to hit 90.
That boat just dosen't plane right; but it crushes and runs nice and great riding too.