Where the AO guys at?
 

I don't post a lot on this site but I do lurk around a lot. I'm interested in AO's and hope to buy one in the near future. I check this section out a lot but you guys haven't posted anything since 6/9. Come on man I need some info. Need input :D I really like the 26'. Don't know whether I would go for a 2600 or the 2600 NSX model. I'm thinking the NSX because it seats four in the back and also has a cooler and cup holders and such. That stuff is important to us out here on the West Coast. I've spoken to Fast Cats on the phone and he seams like a good guy. Just would like to here some more from the owners.

Thanks

re: AO
 

Look for merlins post or email him or ITTLFLI both have or had

AO's.
Kevin

OK HERE I AM......I would definetly recommend AO!! Here in Cincy Merlin has a 98 3100 that FU*#ING ROCKS!! He was doing 116 last year and will be doing at least 10mph faster this year! He runs it on the pin all the time!! I myself have a 01 2600 with a mild 502! One of the things that sold me on the boat was the fact that they were the only manufacturer that actually raced there single engine cat on the APBA circuit. I met the owner of the company and his son at one of the races and they took me for a demo. I was really impressed by the ride not even to mention the fact that the boat had obviously been rode hard and there was no evidence of it at all!! The boat looked perfect! Now since I have owned mine Scott (fastcats here on the board), the owner, has givin me exceptional customer service! No matter if it is a question or a request for a certain part he is always quick to help me out and happy to do so! I am very pleased with my AO and I would say go with AMERICAN OFFSHORE!!!!

That's good to hear. Thanks for the response guys.

i have had a great time with my ao and you should buy one

ITLLFLI - What kind of numbers do you see with your mild 502? How much horsepower,prop, etc etc. ?

Merlin - That sounds like good advice. Do you work for AO? J/K. :D Your boat sounds like it has some serious power running those numbers.

sign4boat - that's good to hear about pulling the kids because my wife is about to have our first:eek:

All the responses sound pretty positive. I am still curious about the NSX. Anybody have one?

I have a 2600 NSX you will like it a lot better little more money but well worth it.They ride real good also very fast ,go ahead get one!!!

I am on my second 26' AO. The first one I bought from Ed Ferro in 95, was a great boat, all white and the"Powerboat Mag Special" (a blower motor 502) was fast, but did not idle to well, boat itself was great. Bought my second 26 AO from Steve DiNick in 99, came with a 502 and whipplecharger, again ran great, handled great, just not fast enough (96mph). Had a naturally aspirated 588 inch tall dek built last year. Runs great, handles better, best cat on the water for the size. Boat turns 5800 rpms through 1:36 gears with a 32 Bravo Labbed 4blade. Yeah, its right around 110. Next step, lower the compression, and put a 1271 BDS with a chiller on it, should get up to the 120's. Not this season, but the winters are long. But if I sell this one, then my next cat will be a 31' AO with dual blower power.

you guys have sold me, just find me a good used one. I'm ready

well sign4 talk to me... I'm listening. My email is [email protected] number is 916-481-9350. shoot me some pics and a price and lets talk. I'm a buyer, just looking for the right AO, and i dont care where it comes from. Thanks

I had a guy call me who said he was selling his 2001 AO26. He said he had to have his boat rebuilt, bad from factory. Also said AO's have a problem with cracking stringers in front of motor and that some had blown holes in boat up front where sponson meets top curve ?????? any one heard of this????

Never heard of it nor have seen any AO do it.

I did it once to a different brand boat, but it was my fault. Lost control of it during a sanctioned circle race and spun out.

I have 470 horse at the crank. My best to date is 78.7 on GPS. I have been spiining big wheels(borrowed) due to the fact that I don't want to dial this engine in with the right prop because I have a blower ready as soon as I get done remodeling my house!! I think with the right prop I would be right at 80.....who knows?!! I think that if some one had problem with there AO it must have been self inflicted!! They are very well built boats!! And like I mentioned earlier the factory support in exceptional!!! Sign4boat and I both run Lake Cumberland. I always see him with the tube out!!! He has a really nice boat, very well taken care of and FAST TOO! As far as the NSX goes....They are nice and I do like the interior a little more because of the extra room but I like the sleeker look of the 2600.

Thanks ittllfli. I was hoping it wasnt contagoues, maybe just a bad one out of a lot. Glad you all seem to be so happy with your AO's. Gives me the warm and fuzzy back. OK sign4 get in touch with me and send some pics and more info. I'm interested so far. Thanks

Check out the pics on my site,you might like them. I am the one who took ITLLFLI on his 26 ride. Still waiting for him to go racing!
My Dad and I raced the 26 for 2 years and have to say the boat can take it. Ask the guys on Angle 1 Rescue how far we launched it at Corpus.
We haven't raced this year do to lack of funds (we ran out of money). Finished 2nd at the Nationals and Worlds 2000 and 2nd again at the 2001 Nationals. What do you have to do to get a sponsor?:D :D :D Bring home the big one....Stay tuned

Rob
www.xtremedreammachines.com

I have a 1998 2600, procharged 454 7psi. No complaints here. Love it.

where is my AO? who has it? sign4 is it you?

Sign4boat send to me [email protected] ask for SKY..What is beam on 26AO..8'6 is all my barn will take..
I'm right here in Atlanta..

OK sign I,m checkin each hour. Guess I,m Hooked on AO.

Hi BlownCarrera
 

I have a 20 AO at the shop and it is ready, new and has your name on it if you want. How soon do you want to be boating?:D

As for the guy that called trying to sell his boat and had stringers breaking apart in front of the engine, ... it's pretty hard to do with them attached to a bulkhead. To my knowledge, it hasn't happened yet. Besides, it's gonna be pretty hard to sell a boat if he continues to talk down about it. So far as I know there are only two that had cracking problems. (1) a guy stuffed a 26 in 6' seas and yes it had some damage, what wouldn't, (2) a tree fell on top of a guys boat from storm damage, he even sent me a copy of the bill, it wasn't bad considering a tree fell on it!

Rainforest persons need not reply, I didn't cut the tree down, and no animals were used for testing purposes!

Give me a call or email!

Scott

FastCats

T Shirts
 

We are actually looking at that now, We want to get some made for people to buy and some,(probably black) for the guys in the shop(so it hides grease stains), We are trying to put designs together now, so if any of you have ideas, send them to my email.

The guys in the shop want "Bad ass Americans building Bad Ass Boats!" across the back. Dont know how customers or potential customers would take it!

Thanks

Scott
[email protected]:D

sign, hope you got my email. Ken

Fastcats, I agree. I thought it was pretty odd, he calls about selling his boat and tells about all the problems with it. Thats why i asked on board and just chaulked him up after all the positive responses from here

Fast Cats, How long have you owned American Offshore?

Reaper 1
 

About a year and a half. I see your from Lake Forest, is that down El Toro way?

Give me a call, I'll email you my numbers if you need them or send me a number and I will call you.

Scott
281-534-1904

Blowncarrera777 Have you found an American Offshore yet? They are great boats and their 26 can handle some pretty rough stuff.

hey blackhwkdn, I'm going to look at a 99 on july13, and waiting for sign to send me some photos of his rig. The 99 is really pretty , its an nsx big sound system( which doesnt matter that much) imco extreme adv. drive, but just a 502 motor, alum heads 850cfm, a little less then i was wanting, but thats changable. He said it ran 75/80 depending on prop which sounds about right by responses on here. I've got a 650 hp blown bbc in my other boat which i may swap if its not sold by then. But I'm still looking And its coming in at less then 50k, so I'm debating on more hp/older boat, or newer ride. so far newer is winning

American Offshore
 

American Offshore power catamarans are one of the best tunnel hull designs available for high performance use. They have paid very close attention to performance design details, and the amazing performance of the AO26 and A3100 are great examples of it. Check out the Performance Report that I wrote on the AO3100.

/Jimboat
AeroMarine Research

Hey Blowncarrera777 where is this boat you are speaking of? I am very good friends with the former American Offshore dealer and that sounds like a boat I helped him put together. Is the trim inside purple and grey? Last I saw it was in Havasu last year. BTW I am also the proud owner of a 1998 AO 2600, 468 EFI Procharged. I love it.

mrgoodwrench. The one I'm looking at is has purple bezzles and trim. gray and purple mats. It goes to havasu a lot, so its probably the same one. Told me new 502 in 2000 and new imco extreme in 2001. Do you have any info on boat?? Would be appreciated

Yea, I bulit the motor in it. The kid that bought it kept hitting the throttle out of the hole and breaking drives. So he put the Imco on it. The stereo kicks butt. I have driven that boat and I remember it being solid and fast.;)

mrgoodwrench, Thanks thats good to know. He told me it was a 502/500 hp. Is that correct if you remember? the stereo looks awesome, probably like riding around in a floating cicuit city.

bet all my beach boy music will sound great on it. probably piss off all the young folks tho.

Yes its a 500 horse 502. It should also have a Demon carb on it.

That it does. Hope you built that motor good. LOL. you remember any of the specs by chance.

change the head gasgets and slap a big ol blower on it!!:D

Hey itllfli, i just happen to have a b/m mega sitting on top a 468 in my other boat, if this deal goes thru.

HMMMMMMMM!!! I'm jealous!!

Hey ITLLFLI, are you going to the river today/tonight? I am going to try and go down around 5:00pm and stay till ????

Yea...I will br going down about the same time!! Oh sh$# .....another late one!!!!