2manyprojcts

I have just installed a new transom in the boat and it came from the factory with a twin big block set up with bravo drives. Has or does anybody have any info on how they ran with a single big block? or it a bad Idea? I'm looking at the cost of fuel, maintenance, and a lot of weight in the back of a 26 foot boat. I never rode in this boat and can only tell you what the owner before me said it was very fast but sat very low in the water and ran in the mid 70's.
So before I install the stringers I hope someone can help with some idea of how they ran with a single? thanks Keith

Katanna

iTrader: (1)

With the twin big blocks they tend to do alot of porpoising at lower speeds. Have to run them at higher speeds to overcome this which in turn may not be comfortable for the passengers or the wallet. Sell your big blocks and switch to small blocks. Boat will run level at all cruise speeds and sip the fuel. Will lose a little top end but worth it. Nice to have that extra motor to get home on.

2manyprojcts

I was thinking that way also I did notice that the wellcraft runs the drives almost 31/2 " deeper then my cigarette I wonder if I raised them some if it would get back the speeds on top?

jbraun2828

I think it runs around 55-60 with a single bb. A lot had small blocks and alphas

Powerquest_Baby!!

I have a 1988 26 foot Nova Spyder. Not sure if they changed the running surface or just the upper part of the boat with the redesign in 1990. I can tell you my boat with a single 454 mag runs 55-57--runs very flat and stable with one motor. Ive talked with other Nova owners who run 70 with twin big blocks. I agree with the poster above and would go with twin small blocks.

2manyprojcts

I think they changed it in 1990 and again in 1991 a guy in our club has a 1990 with a step hull mine is a 1991 with no step its funny that there is not a lot of information on these boats they must not be that great lol the guy with the step hull hates the way it handles in chop and turning. I hope they improved it.

Shallow Minded

I owned a '92 26 Nova ST and loved it. Big, heavy boat that held its own in rough water and still has good lines to this day. Mine had a single 454 with a small 177 blower, probably just over 500 HP. Ran mid 60's. A friend of mine owned a similar boat with twin BBC's and I think he was in the low 70's. Take your time and do it right, good luck!

2manyprojcts

thanks the more I look at it im thinking 383;s 400 to 425 hp and raising the drives 2" for a little more top end I don't really care how fast it is I want it to sound and handle good. It is a great looking boat

2manyprojcts

any Idea on the weight? I pulled across the country with out motors and it seemed light I pulled it with a 1/2 tn short bed two wheel drive dodge with a 4.7 and it pulled fine even up the 8 mile Fancy Gap hill on rt77

nova26

[ATTACH=CONFIG]515905[/ATTACH]I had a 90 Nova ST single 454 365hp. Still a great boat with timeless lines.