Airdog, I was wondering how your V-8 project ended up? I was thinking of doing the same. If you could give me any info I would appreciate it. Also does the speed compare to twin 200's? What pitch are you spinning on the prop? Are you running mix gas or using the (vro)?

thanks

erpsdog,

I have never had twin 200's so I am not sure how the speed compares. I have heard that stock 200's hanging on the transom will give you 65-70mph.

A single 200 will give you 55mph, (maybe)

The V8 is noticeably faster and more powerful. I would say 65mph easy. With the right prop Jeb has told me it could go 74mph as his did since the motor I have has high compression heads and puts out a lot of HP.

For me the big difference was the 17" of setback. With the extra weight of the V8 it made the boat ride totally different.

With the single 200, it felt like a 24' boat. With the set up I have now, it rides like a 26' boat. (25.5 I mean ).

I would highly recommend it, but take my advice...PRE MIX! Every horror story I ever heard about OMC V8's, they all were because of the VRO.

I had mine blocked off and I mix it. With a $3.00 measuring device I got at Walmart it is very easy. The piece of mind is great.

The high points are the fuel burn is less than twins and the speed is the same if your running stock 200's. Also the torque is great and the extra 150lbs it weighs compared to the 200 is a good balance for the weight of the Banana.

Additional features are that they sound really cool and you get a lot of looks no matter where you are.

The low points are trying to find one that is all fresh water and in great shape. I got lucky since the one I have is both and has every high performance upgrade you can get.

Shoot me an e-mail and I can answer all of your questions you might have since I just went through the process of rigging one.

Kieth,

If I rememeber right, you bought the black Banana right? The thing I like the best about that boat was the transom.

That is by far the strongest transom I have ever seen on a Banana Boat. It is twice as thick as the the stock version.

The guy that did it was the owner that put the Merc 225 on it back in 1998 when the engine was brand new.

He was a professional fiberglass guy and really did a nice job. I think he actually had a mold and was building his own line of boats at the time.

Just thought you might want to hear some history...

If you went with the V8, that boat could easily handle it.

Chris

Air Dog, I did buy the black banana. I am still working on it here and there. I appreciate the history/ info on my hull. I acquired a V8 Johnson but are undecided on twin 225's or the V8. I have found a great race shop that deals with V8 outboards, I Will e-mail the web site to you if you like.

Yes, I would love to see it...

erps, is that the black banna that was recently on ebay, "the sting"? with the newer 225 mercs?
I'd like to hear how fast the pair of duece and a quarters are.
I've heard 83 on GPS (with a Banana race hull) w 24P props but I don't totally believe that number. GPS can be wrong cant it?

I wish the STING was my boat. Dregsz, I bought the black project boat that is shown in the Banana year and numbers post. It is sitting next to a wight with purple and red graphics. It has no motor and i ripped all the interior out because it was junk.

Air Dog,

what jack plate is that? and what exactly is gained by using one with a set back like that... i understand the up and down part of it, but the extention part eludes me!

That is a Porta-products bracket.

I call it a "Scissor Jack".

Works great.

Engine performs better further back and higher.