BOATING ON A BUDGET

I have an old baja 1986 25 with a trs.
it has a new motor 450 hp. new trans newer rebuilt out drive, new stringers, exhaust stainless marine.
I want to know before I wast any more money on this boat will it ever go good.
It rides awesome but top end poor.
it planes no problem with a 23 mirage plus (planes in less than 2 seconds easy throttle)but the top rpm is only approx 4700 rpm.
Cam specs.544 .547 lift 226 236 dur 112 cl on a 454 mag with Edelbrock heads and intake 110 cc 32: time
Now should I play the prop game or just enjoy what I have?
top speed is 55 mph or so.
cruise @ 2500 31 mph.
boat weighs 5000 lbs. and has hooks on the hull..
what can I do with out spending a fortune?
I spent allot on this project.

ratman

the question is how fast do you want to go to be happy! then decide if you can afford to make it go that fast...or do you need a faster type hull to begin with. faster always equals more $

GOODT

55 On An 86 Baja Is Very Resepectable With A Single Esp With A Trs Unless You Want To Sink Alot Of$$$ In It I Would Be Happy
Till I Built My Stinger With Twins Thats About What It Would Do I Put Over 15 K In It And Thats What I Do For A Living So Most Would Put About 30 K In Be Happy That You Have A Hotttt Boat That Will Beat Most Stock Boats!!!!


Congrats :d

4195

Roller rockers claim15 to 30 horse that could equal 1-2 mph for less the $200. You could put on a $125 crossover and get rid of the pump also good for 15-30 horse. 4700 sounds a little light on the rpms to, try a buddies prop and get more rpm and see what diff. that makes

deboatmon

Roller rockers and crossover might be pretty good ideas for your application. However, I would be very surprised if you see 1 MPH gains for every 15 HP and I would expect very little if any speed gain from adding roller rockers and crossover. The rockers will surely add reliability to the top end of your motor and the crossover can increase cooling capacity. That's about all I ever saw from those two items.

Hang Time 27

Hey, welcome the fun (or sickness as some would call it)What your'e going through is pretty common when performance boating in that price range. The old hulls are relatively cheap, but unfortunately very innefficient compared to what has been built since then. The hook on those old BAJA's and the TRS are your top two problems, along with weight. Even the ones a little bit newer with Bravo drives were still speed limited, but a little better. The Mirage prop is probably the most cost effective/best performer for that boat. - (helps counter that hook in the hull with good bow lift).

A late 80's early 90's model near me had bravo drive, the hooks in hull removed, blown 509 in 600hp+ ??range, and still couldn't hit 80. He finally gave up and bought a Fountain. Great riding hull though, if you see rough water alot. I presume you've spent good $$ on the engine, so if you're bored with the speed and really dying to go fast, pick up a stock 330hp 454 out of a cruiser, yank your 450hp, and find a more suitable hull. I will warn you that chasing the speed #'s just never stops costing you!! It's all give and take. A 3k - 3.5k lbs boat with Bravo at 22-24 feet with 24 degree hull will get you into the 70's with that power, but the ride will be much different better in some ways, much worse in others.

This 24 Excalibur ran upper 70's anytime, and would break 80 in right conditions, with Bravo drive, and 470hp.

BOATING ON A BUDGET

I all ready have roller rockers.
I guess i should just enjoy what I have.
How much should it coast to remove the hooks on the fiberglass?
my exhaust still has 3 in hole the 4 hole was never cut it has a reducer. Do you think that could do much of any thing?
It certainly seems like every spare 50 or 100 disappears into that boat.
But I like it it is fun.

vette131

try a 21p mirage plus your boat will be more responsive & your motor happier even if it doesn't go faster.

Hang Time 27

There is a fiberglass section in the forum - do a search on "hook" in there as well as this forum, and you might find something that helps. The 4" exhaust will be a little louder, but you will also know that you've done all you can, although you probably won't notice much on speed..... 4" pipes always look better too

50 or 100?? It never ends-----B.O.A.T. = Break Out Another Thou.

Enjoy!.................

Hang Time 27

I've even got a set of 4" angle tips that came off that excalibur if you want them....................