Dock Holiday

We had the pleasure of meeting some folks this weekend from Murrells Inlet, SC at the Smith Mountain Poker Run.

The first thing I noticed about the boat while standing by it at the dock was the water dumps out the side. Then I noticed the IMCO drives.

Finally caught up with them, they made most of the run with us and we all had lunch together.

He started with his stock 502's and took them to MRE. They bored them to 509 CI and replaced all the internals with the best goodies. They topped it off with a pair of Whipples.

I cannot tell you how accurate the 92 MPH is that he claims, but I can tell you that this baby can really run and sounds simply awesome. He is pushing 32 pitch labbed props to 6000 RPM. The engines dyno'd at 850 HP each.

There were four in our group, a 30 Spectre Cat with twin 500's, a 36 Gladiator with 525's, and the two 36 Outlaws. The cat and Cig decided to open it up and I was running about 72 when the other 36 blew by me pretty quickly!

I was impressed to see a 36 first hand that was getting some good numbers and see what they did and what was working for him.

clearcut3

I got to see the boat as we were leaving. They had just pulled the boat out and I noticed the IMCO's and asked what he was running. That boat should really get up and go and be pretty reliable with that combination. They were staying at the same place we were and the boat sounded great .

Dock Holiday

Clearcut,

Just wondering which ramp you guys used. This was our first trip to SML and our friends were staying at Camper Paradise so we went there. The ramp is very steep, and it was really hard turning a 40 foot trailer around in there. It was the first time we have had to put the truck into four wheel drive in three seasons now!

Looking for a better place the next time we go up there.

Thanks Dock

clearcut3

We used the ramp at Bernards landing. It is a good ramp and has a dock alongside that makes launching very easy and it isn't steep at all. The only downfall is that there isn't a lot of turn around room so you have to go up on the grass but it isn't a big deal. I probably didn't need 4WD when pulling the boat out but engaged it anyway just in case. Besides the TG the 36' Baja, a Hustler 388, and the 37' Hustler Talon also launched from Bernards.

The launching situation is always the main concern for us when going to a new location....man have I seen some bad ones but the one at Bernards isn't bad at all.

Are y'all planning any big weekend get togethers on Lake Norman this summer? Several of us have been wanting to come up there and boat since it is so close. Let us know if y'all are planning anything and I will see who all would like to come up.

CigDaze

Impressive numbers. She looks sweet!!

Steel Outlawed

iTrader: (1)

I smell Whipple's coming for Dock.

SSComp

850 is a lot to push a 509. Hope they hang in there for him. 650 was comfortable for me. I also put a lot into my rotation assy. Hoping to hit upper 80's spinning 5400 rpm. If I ran higher octance 90's would be obtainable.

I love taking the old dog baja of mine and doing that to people.

Dock Holiday

My comment to him when I saw what he had was " 85mph?".

I was surprised by the 92, but the boat really does run strong. He said they only put the best components inside the engines.

I know of a 540 set up about the same way that dyno'd at close to 1000 HP!

otis311

That would be Kieth Sparks. I had the pleasure of spending the weekend tied up with him and his wife in Key West this past year. GREAT PEOPLE and a real nice running boat. Its putting out well over 800 hp a side so 92 sounds about right to me

Bob

Dock Holiday

Otis,

Yes, it is Keith & Lisa Sparks. We had the pleasure of running with them again this weekend at Lake Hartwell. We actually have been talking about a possible trade on engines and drives. I really like his set up and it runs very well. They are thinking about selling the boat and possibly getting a cat.

We will see. I think Keith is going to come down to Jackson this weekend and may ride with us on the poker run.