Does anyone have or have a hook or had one removed on their hull. My mechanic discovered a substantial hook right under each trim tab on both sides of the boat and while this looks klike it was put there intentionally, it sure seems to account for the reason that I can't get to 5,000 rpm's and am not able to break the 70 mph mark.
I was advised to have it taken out and should probably see a 10% gain in speed since it would loosen up the bow, relieve drag and probably bring up the rpm's.
It's a 29' 1998 Outlaw

Any advice ou there?

I wouldn't do it. Folks a lot smarter than us felt it needed to be there for proper handing. Your mechanic is blowing smoke. The hook is not the reason you can't break 70. What engines do you have? You have 502's if I recall.

Liquid asset just posted that his 29 O/L with 502's will see 76.4gps. I believe his is a 1998 like yours. I'm sure he has the same hook. My 29 will run 79gps and I have the same hook.

If I understand correctly, most Baja's or all of them do have a hook.

I could be wrong but I don't think that will effect the engine RPM's, and a 10% gain in speed is probably not going to happen.

What engines do you have?

Most of the engines in that year model were probably 454's or 454 Mag's and I think they only turn up to around 4900 RPM. The 500's will turn higher with the right props.

I have 26 pitch props on 500 EFI's on a 36 Outlaw and was only getting 4900-4950 RPM, had them labbed and they turn around 5200 now, but the engines will turn up to around 5400 RPM.

Sorry, please don't take this wrong, but I have a friend with a 29 Outlaw and it only runs 65 MPH. He has 454's in it.

Keep us posted, I would like to learn more, but something don't sound right to me.

Good luck

No Dock,

This poor man has twin 502's and he has been beating his head on the wall trying to figure out why he can't break 70. Something's wrong and I don't think it's hook.

Have you guys looked at yours? I have heard Baja actually removing these hoos for some customers. You run 79, liquid runs 76 and I can only hit 70 on a good day????? I have had everything possible checked out with the engines and see no RPM difference between 25's and labbed 26's and have the same pathetic speed

WOW, Sorry, I forgot about the 502's?

Yeap, sounds like he has a problem, but hard to believe the hook could account for that much speed. I think I would talk to Baja and get their thoughts on this.

Keep us posted, I am very interested to see what you find. Could help a lot of us.

These may sounds like stupid questions but here goes:

Is the speed GPS or dream-o-meter? My speedO is 8 mph slower then my GPS.
Does trimming make a difference, are you trimming off the trim gauges or by engine rpm?
Water condition? My boat pics up 4 mph in light wind shop (6-8 inches), slows down the same 4 mph on glass smooth water.
Outside temp? Has anyone scanned the motors for problems?

Trim tab position? Some people tell me on large boats you can pick up a little speed with the tabs down just a little.

I know all of these questions are silly but all the little bits of speed may add up to a decent total.

I bought my boat and it ran 56 mph (GPS), and with the help from several guys on this list I now have it running a best of 63(GPS) and I have not replaced a single part on the motor or inside the motor. This is nothing compared to most of the boats on here but it is still a good change in speed for the money spent.

With all these different speeds from 29 outlaws I better test drive one before I buy.....

The motors were gone over with a fine tooth comb, compression at 155 in each cylinder, completely tuned up and dynoed. I run the trim by feel and trim until I can't get the rpm's to go any higher, freeing up the hull. If I over trim, the rpm comes up a tad, maybe 50 or so and does nothing for speed. The RPM's were checked off of a scan tool at full throttle and the speed I got was on GPS with very light chop 2 people and 1/4 tank.

How many rpm's are you able to hit with the 25's - 26's? .

Outlaw 29,

I can hit 4,600 with labbed 26's and maybe 4,700 with the 25's with the same speed.

With that much power, I should be on the rev limmiter.

There was a 29 recently sold with the same package i have and he was able to hit 79mph turning 28's at 4,800 rpm on GPS.