Adding a pad to an Apache 28 a good idea?
03-11-2026 | 12:46 PM
#11
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 297
Likes: 4
From: GROSSE ILE,MI
i live in colombia. Last year i bought an apache 28 that had been sitting in a boatyard for years without engines or anything, just the bare hull.
I started the restoration lat month. Ordered a pair a new mercury 400rs from the dealer, with the sportsmaster lower ends.
The actual boat appears on a apache ad from the 90s (bottom right corner in the image i uploaded).
We have a local race in july and my intention is to have this boat reach the highest top speed possible, and what i`m wondering is if it`s a good idea to add a pad to the hull?
Or will that risk screwing up its performance? The seas here are not calm at all so maybe having a full vee would be a better idea?
she will end up looking something like this
I started the restoration lat month. Ordered a pair a new mercury 400rs from the dealer, with the sportsmaster lower ends.
The actual boat appears on a apache ad from the 90s (bottom right corner in the image i uploaded).
We have a local race in july and my intention is to have this boat reach the highest top speed possible, and what i`m wondering is if it`s a good idea to add a pad to the hull?
Or will that risk screwing up its performance? The seas here are not calm at all so maybe having a full vee would be a better idea?
she will end up looking something like this
03-21-2026 | 07:17 AM
#12
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 2,106
From: Milton, Fla!
Do it!
I planned on adding a pad to my twin OB 24’ Sonic and current twin OB 25’ Checkmate but ran out of time on both projects.
As to the pads effect on its sea keeping abilities remember its width and your speed drastically effect this.
Wider the pad, faster top end, worse in rough water.
Ive run fast OB pad vee’s w/pads from 4” wide (tough to balance on pad at speed, little effect on rough water abilities) to 18” wide which was very fast/efficient w/power but of course sucked in rough water.
Id look at 4” to 6” wide.
Another trick is to add a slight vee to it.
Kindof the best of both worlds.
Many fast hulls came this way, including my Checkmate.
I planned on adding a pad to my twin OB 24’ Sonic and current twin OB 25’ Checkmate but ran out of time on both projects.
As to the pads effect on its sea keeping abilities remember its width and your speed drastically effect this.
Wider the pad, faster top end, worse in rough water.
Ive run fast OB pad vee’s w/pads from 4” wide (tough to balance on pad at speed, little effect on rough water abilities) to 18” wide which was very fast/efficient w/power but of course sucked in rough water.
Id look at 4” to 6” wide.
Another trick is to add a slight vee to it.
Kindof the best of both worlds.
Many fast hulls came this way, including my Checkmate.
03-27-2026 | 12:26 PM
#14
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 297
Likes: 4
From: GROSSE ILE,MI
i wouldn’t hesitate rolling outboards.. This one seams to run real well
https://m.youtube.com/shorts/oss3ig3k6uy
https://m.youtube.com/shorts/oss3ig3k6uy
03-28-2026 | 12:05 AM
#15
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,970
Likes: 488
From: Cleveland, OH / Pewaukee, WI
03-28-2026 | 11:57 AM
#16
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 357
From: Mansfield, TX
A 28 is really a great to drive at any speed. These pad boats require you to get up to speed and get on the pad before they ride well. It is incredibly risky financially even if you like the boat after your done. Love the OB conversions and would love to buy one. You can get a 28 Velocity for super cheap, less than half of what it will take you to put a pad on a 28 Apache and get it in good condition only to end up with something nobody will want to buy.
