Awesome Weekend In Pompano
 

There are not enough words of gratitude that I can say on what a kick ass weekend I had. First of all the ride was better than great, 76 mph in 5-7 footers with mad man Pat behind the wheel, and we still had more left. We took turns at 55 mph in 3 to 6 seas, the boat handled flawlessly. The boat actually rides on air as it comes off one of those monster waves, not a creek or a grown, it was unbelievable, this hull can handle alot more power, thats why Sandy and I elected to go with Keith Eichert motor and are deciding on the Bmax or the Imco Extreme sc drives with lab finished props. The motors produce 675 hp in the blower detuned configuration with a 1 year warranty, but with some pulley and belt changes and a intercooler the horsepower jumps to 860, it doesnt get any better than that, but that will be Pat and Steves project next year. We went with IRIS (lilac) cockpit, and blue haze in the cabin, all the colors gel real good together with the exterior, Thanks STEVE. Pat is working on a killer trick hatch to make clearance for the K.E. Blowers , oh yeah, you guys have'nt seen nothin yet, there is so much new trick super stout hardware going in these new boats, better than what Outerlimits and Cigarette's uses, These boats will be the talk of the future, mark my words.

Dan we got some Thong pics for you, she's not real pretty, but thats all I could do in a pinch, I will send them to you once I figure out how to do it, she's very muscular, we picked her up off the street, gave her 5 bucks and she said ok, oh yeah your boat is awesome, it looks killer in the water, great stance, it just had the motors in and the new double front bolsters, Pat and Steve went out in and we drove the Ford Pickup. The paint job looks great, but even better in the water, Those lightning bolts in conjunction to the water line look perfect, excellent stance, one mean machine. talk to ya guys later.:D

Sounds like a great time. Good choice on the motors. Glad to hear you had a true Active Thunder water ride. 5-7 is what the boat loves. You must have had a great workout bailing out 55 gallon drums of water that was pouring through the transom without drives in the Thunderstorm.:D :D

JJ,

Glad you had a great time. Now give me the skinny on my boat. What was going on. Steve tells me you have something to tell me?????? COme on spill it for your fellow AT brother.:D :D

Jeff, sounds like you had an incredible weekend. It also sounds like this was your first ride in a 37 AVH. Is that true ? Pat is a wild man isn't he. He was a little more gentile with us as tbikini was not so sure about going 80 mph in the ocean in 6 foot seas where there are sharks. But the bottom line is, that is one awesome hull.

That is some big power you are putting in that puppy:D What kind of top speeds are you looking at ?

By the way does Thunderdan know you were rockin and rollin in his boat ? :D

Jassman, the KE 675's with B-Max's are the choice I made for my 38' PowerPlay. I don't think the IMCOs will hold up with all the torque that the 675's have! I visited IMCO out in CA and they are using the XR 4" upper gear set in there housing, I believe there housing might be the way to go BUT, it is using the XR gears and talking to drive guys the gears are the part that is failing. Dean will warrenty the B-Max for a year and IMCO will only warrenty there housing. I even looked at #5s. Let me know what you decid. Robbie

Robbie, what about the new extreme sc vs bmax, about 2500 a piece difference. The sc looks more stout the std imco, correct me if Im wrong:confused:

Rockin and roolin in my boat, I hope not:D :D Pat and Steve know what I was like about people in my boat with shoes on...if so some one has a lot of explaining to do:D :D

How was my boat in the water without the motors and drives. Steve and Pat are my motors and drives already in and rigged???:D

Hey H20 and Tbikini, yes that was the first ride in a 37 with 500efis, big difference with the bigger power. I have been in a 32 also a nice boat. It was a blast working with both those guys, picking stuff out, the day went way to quick. Im looking for a speed somewhere in the 104-107 range with those bad boy Eickerts.:D

Jassman, I talked with Dave at IMCO and it was concerning the new Extreme SC, IMCO will only warrenty the housing, not the internal failures. Also, Dave said anything close to the 10,000 lb. weight was at the upper end of the SC's capablity and they did not have any out running in our application. It's to bad because the SC has better flow accross the lower. There is a Rod @ Performance Marine up in WI that use the B-Max upper mated to the IMCO lower. I wish I could go that direction but the cost is quite-a-bit more. Nor-Tech has bought 20 drives from Dean and is putting them on the large 43' & 50's with big HP. Let me know what you think, Robbie

Jassman and DEFY'N GRAVITY need to hook up and see which boat is the REAL offshore king...sounds like the Thunder has a lot more speed, but those Powerplays are supposed to be good in rough water, well at least the 33's are. Any chance you guys will go out and run?

defy in-

what kind of speeds you think you will be seeing in your 38 with the KE motors? I think in the AT, Jassman should be seeing 103-105. Good luck with your project. Is yours the first 38 to be done, when is it gonna be yours?

Im all for it, Tell you what, the PP guys can use the 725hp cobras to my 675 Eicherts, Ill give you the benifit of the doubt 100 more hp, lets see whos hull is more effecient, lets do it in april, when my boat is finished, that will give PP some more dial in time, I look forward to it.:D

I also think we should let the owners drive, Pat and Dan, what do you think.:D

I got my money on the Radioactive boat, without a doubt. I know how efficent that hull is, and Pat knows how to get the most out of it. I think that on radar the AT will be at least 5mph faster, just a guess....:D :D :D

Defyngravity, I did speak with rod, super nice guy, just cant afford that drive of his, looks awesome though. The hull weight of the 37avh is around 8300lbs not 10,000lbs, and is extremely effecient bottom with that massive step and pad bottom, what do you think now, let me know, I prefer the imco bottom, and I know I wont loose hp running it over the Bmax, and I know the bmax is the better drive but is 5k more, tough decision

drives
 

Jassman,

You should really check in to the efficiency of the B max drives. They seem to hold the HP, but they kill 5-7MPH, and the handling is sacrificed over the IMCO's. The IMCO's should easily work in your application, and save you speed, and $2,500.00. Also, read over B max and Eickert's warranty, you will find it doesn't cover much.

Hey JJ,

so my boat was already rigged, my twin 500 efi's and two nice xr's hanging off the back, throttles rigged and all????? Tell me more, I know you saw it. Spill it for me and all of the others reading.:cool: :D

Lets just set the record straight a 37avh we know on Radar with Merc 600sc 550hp did 98, 125 more hp per side should surely do at least 106 and the same Cobras that were in the PP would put it over 110, but you know what , lets make it fair. How about just put twinn 500efi in both the 37AVH and THE PP 38 and see which boat not only is faster but can handle the ruff stuff better, thats the only fair and logical thing to do, what do you guys think.:p

Jassman, You will be better off than I will do to the weight advantage that the 37' AT has, BUT, your enemy will be the torque from the 675's

RPM/ Torque/ HP
3000/ 688/ 393
3500/ 710/ 473
4000/ 719/ 548
4500/ 711/ 609
5000/ 701/ 668
5200/ 693/ 686

Torque is going to be your enemy, as you can see above 3000 RPM your torque is above 690 100% of the time. My personal opinion is that the 4" XR gear will not hold up to that torque, and if you plan on changing pulleys at the end of the year warranty I KNOW that it will not handle 800+ FT LBS of torque.
If anone has more info PLEASE add to this as I also am interested in as much info as possible!!!
Jassman, I hope this helps, let me know, Robbie

JJ,

Remember one thing my friend, I will be down in Fla. in about three weeks watching my baby get loaded up and sent down. I am not sure what I am going to do with all my extra time while my boat is on the road, and I am sitting in the Active Thunder shop with my wife and nothing to do. Hummmmmm, any sugestions from anyone? I wonder what stage your boat will be in, I am sure I can help out with the buffing on your boat.:p :p :D :D Remember, paybacks are a *****.:D :D

JJ,

You forgot to answer my question about my rigged boat, spill it so we all can know how it ran. I know you must be hiding something, I can always tell when you avoid my questions that you got somin to hide.:p :p :D :D

Defy'ngravity, thanks for the info on those eicherts, the question I have on the bmax, dont they use the Imco lowers and gears anyways, which is the part that usually breaks, the uppers:confused: What is the weak link vs the bmax in gear size , Ive got about 2 weeks to make a decision, and apprieciate any info you can give me, from your point of view. Thanks Jeff Jassby:D

Jassman, From what I've heard from everyone it is the upper gear set on the XR's that is failing. Dollar Offshore has said that the hardnest (SP) of the gears, all the torque, the heat build-up, and the Flexing of the upper housing. The combination of all the above then changes the pre-load on the gears, and once that happens it changes the angle on the gear set and wears into the gear and it fails. Dollar says it looks like aspirin ground up! The B-Max has a upper 5" gear set vs the XR which has a 3 3/34" gear set. I have also been told that the gear set from the XZ has better propertys than the XR. As far as the lower gears, it sounds like they are not having problems. Again I will refer to Rod becauce he has a heel of alot more experience dealing with this subject. I have gone round & round and I believe that the B-Max that is the only drive that is going to live with all the torque!


Anything else give me a call @ 812-256-6624
Blue Skies, Robbie

DEFY'N GRAVITY, THANKS FOR YOUR INFO, I APPRIECIATE THE HELP, IF MY BOAT IS FINISHED AND READY FOR PIC UP AND NOT TO LATE FOR THE TIC FA RUN, YOU ARE WELCOME ABOARD MY BOAT, I HOPE YOURS IS ALSO FINISHED ON TIME, NOTHING MORE THAN HAVING 2 AWESOME BOATS WITH THE SAME K.E. MOTORS, IF NOT I WILL SEE YA AT THE ROYAL PURPLE RUN. lOOKING FORWARD INTO SEEING YOUR TRICKED OUT POWER PLAY.:D

defy,

Can you give me some more info on the xr vs xz comment. :confused:

Thanks

B Max VS IMCO
 

The new SC IMCO drive is completely built by IMCO. It no longer uses the stock upper. The upper is cast by IMCO and is designed oversized to handle the flex that occurs in high torque applications. The gears are straight cut and also larger and harder than stock. This drive utilizes the best properties of all outdrives on the market today, and sacrifices no speed or HP. The drive has a speedmaster style lower with a low water pick up. Ask B max about its ability to hold up in HIGH HP applications, as it's the same one they use.

This is the only outdrive I would recommend for a true performance boater who doesn't want to sacrifice handling and speed, as I and friends have tried both.

Re: B Max VS IMCO
 

Ask IMCO what gear set they use, it is the XR upper gear set that in the new IMCO SC. That info is from dave @ IMCO. That is unless they have changed in the last 30 days! Robbie

mph120, also thanks for the info, can you share with me the difference on the new sc vs the xr uppers since they are different now, I am aware from rod who educated me on the bmax lower, and why they use the Imco as well. Do you have any info on what power the new sc can handle and whether they will be getting an warranty to compete against bmax. Any info is apprieciative, thanks Jeff Jassby:D

IMCO has been working on tons of different combinations to handle the High HP and Torque. They are developing a new gear set, and have found ways to reduce stress on the gear sets, this is the technology behind the SC. That is from Fred Inman, owner of IMCO. I can only speak of experiences, not conversations. I have used both, the sacrifice of speed is so high on the B max, you could run about 75 HP less and just run an XR, the end result would still be the same.

Jeff,

The Sc is supposed to handle up to 900 HP very reliably. I've personally run an 800 HP supercharged engine in my 29 scarab, and have seen Eliminators with over 1000 HP on the IMCO Xtreme. I've never had a problem, if I do, I will happily upgrade to the SC. I almost wish it would break, because the new drives look really trick.
:D :D :D

MPH120 A couple of Q's if you dont mind, I didnt understand your last statement, What type of boat do you own or have been on with the IMCO and what do you do for a living, Im trying to make an honest desicion based on knowledge, both yourself and Robbie make good points, but need more particulars on this imco. Thanks again
:)

Jeff,

I own a 29' scarab with a supercharged 800 HP engine supposedly built by revenge power. I am a contractor by trade, and a boat freak all the rest of the time. You?

MPH120 it looks like you beat me to the post, like you were reading my mind, how many hours do you have on that Scarab, and what is the difference between the extreme and the sc, thanks.:D

Jeff,

The boat supposedly had about 50 hrs when I bought it. I've put about another 50 hrs since then. I baby the boat, and hate to sell it. It's just too short. I need more room for the women. I had no interest in AT until I came to this board. You guys are pretty cool.:D

The SC and Xtreme use a different gear set, housing and bearings. The uppers are supposed to be awesome compared to mine. The lowers are very similiar except they are now offered in 3" shorter version. I've been very happy with my drives, as have all I've known. No Bravo outdrive should handle more than 1000 HP. They don't hold enough oil, and the shafts are too small. For your application they'll work great, and save you some money for drinks after the poker runs!!!

MPH120,

I agree with you on the efficiency on IMCO drive vs the B-Max. I also agree with on the new SC upper case. But after talking to drive techs who services Merc. drives it is the XR gear set that I want nothing to do with. I really like what IMCO did with the upper case and the structure around the gear set. But as your last post said "IMCO is working on new gears", I need a drive in the next 30 days. From what I've been told the B-Max has corrected the perosity problem that plaged the previous models. Another problem I have that you may not be faced with, my dry weight is apprex. 10,000 lbs. Dave @ IMCO said that was on the upper end of the new SC drive limit.

MPH120, I am here to learn , if you have any info that will help me (us) make a better decision I thank you for your input.

Robbie:confused:

Mph 120 , I got your message and sent one back, I am also here to learn and need a drive by at the very latest end of March or very begining of April. Any info on the gear set if has been finalized would be helpful. My boat dry is around 8500 pounds, if that helps. I am also a general contractor as well as a boat nut, I live for this stuff and look forward meeting all you guys at some of these poker runs, its going to be a fun year!!!!! YEE HA:D

Jassman:

I still think the SC is the drive for you. I think your weight is well under the limitations of the drive. As for the gears, I wouldn't worry, I think they'll be fine. I'm running more power through less drive, and loading it much harder, as it is a single. The B Max is probably way overkill, and will cost you valuable MPH, enough to keep you from leading the pack, (if its calm), at Royal Purple. 5MPH and 5000.00 is alot. Who works on your boats in Mississippi? Who would you recommend? I look forward to meeting you guys too, I'm sure I'll get the chance to buy everyone a drink this summer.

Jassman,

I suggest that we call IMCO to follow up and find out what there progress is and if they now have any feedback with the SC in twin application with the torque you & Myself are running! I agree that from the start the IMCO SC was the drive BUT with all the info from drive mechanics. Back to the B-Max, I still do not believe that it robs that much speed, but again, I could be wrong!!! Let me know what you think, Robbie

Guys, check out the thread "IMCO 2" shorter drives" in the general section, Robbie