Looking for owners of 280 cats

[hoozeyurdaddy]

Picked up a 280 about 6 months ago, not sure how this boat should run, so I'm looking for other cat owners to get some Idea's, any information on HP, Props, What drives, Top speeds, Hole shot, anything bad I should look for. How stable is it at high speeds.
Thanks
Larry

[ob'sea'ne]

Had an 04 cat with merc.575 sci with xr drive 1.50 I could get around 92-96 mph depending on condition and weight. I do not remember my prop size. the boat out of the hole is sluggish once going you will get a "porpoise" effect around 68-70 mph but will settle nice the faster you run the boat the better it handles, going straight that is. I currently own a 33 profile with 575sci has been a great boat!

[flenner]

I have a '99 cat with a 600SC, XZ drive with 1.5 gears, and currently running a labbed 30 bravo. I run about 84mph. Sounds slow but a year ago I put a new module in and had the rev limiter set to 5100 rpm. Did it for reliability purposes. I have had it up to 92mph. When getting out of the hole, ease it up on plain. Don't hammer the throttle unless you have allot of money to spend on gear sets. Wait until it rolls over and then start giving it the stick. I love my boat. Have had it for seven years and two engine rebuilds.

[hoozeyurdaddy]

Thanks for the info, I'm currently running a 622CI naturally asperated at 3600 feet, It's got a imco SC drive with 1.34:1 gears,The engine is fresh, 2hrs, with the 30p it strugles up on plane, and rpm's max at 4600, with a 26p it's better out of the hole and tops out at 5100 rpm, both props get it up to about 89 - 91 mph. It's almost like it has somthing holding it back, but I just can't put my finger on it. the boat came form kentucy and was running a 32 labbed, and the owner claims he could get 105 - 108 on any given day, the motor is comming back out this week and is going to the dyno shop so I can see just where it is making it's power. In your experience, how do you trim the boat for best performance, are you giving it lots of trim or a little? are there any worries of a blow over? Thanks for any and all info.
Larry

[flenner]

Smart move putting the engine on a dyno. We are always able to find something when we do it. As far as trim goes, I don't use a gauge. I go by feel and what I see on the GPS. After I get it to roll over on plain, I hold the trim button for two seconds and then go from there. Allot depends if you are going into the wind or with it. Most of the time it is in the neutral position. I haven't blown over yet or come close to it. Plan on keeping it that way! Because of the were you are boating now, I would suspect you will have to work on the carbs and that will help allot.

[hoozeyurdaddy]

thanks for the info. I will let you know when it comes back from the dyno.
larry