Black Thunder Steps??
 

Do the 2002 models have a new bottom compared to the earlier BT's... if so did it give them less bow lift at cruising speeds???

ask the saxman or boatme. they both are very knowledgable on BT

I do know that the blue 2005 46' BT that you see for sale has the smaller steps notched transom configuration. My 06 has the newer larger steps no-notched transom.

have you been in the older modles? if so how does the ride differ??

I can't remember, but I think it was in 2001 or so when they went to the 460 from the 430. The 460 had the same basic bottom bottom design as the 430 did, but there were a few changes to it. BT came out with their stepped hull in 1997 I believe.....

The 06' and newer BT's have new steps and chines. It really made a big difference. It's the best bottom design BT has ever had.

how fast has your boat run with the 525's? And then, what's your everyday speed that you can always hit?

Just a benchmark here since we are talking about the newer hulls:

2x Merc 700's = Best of 89mph
2x Merc 850's = Best of 95mph

Spiker is building one right now with 1100/1200hp motors, so it'll be cool to see what that runs.

I've hit 75 3 different times in good conditions (cool weather, etc.). Boat planes very well with very little bow rise. This is helped by the newer non-notched transom. The 05 I test drove did take a bit longer to plane and a bit more bow rise. Hit 72 with same motors.

I'm gonna take a hammer and put more pitch in the props so I can keep up with saxman!!!!!

Let me know if that works and I ll send you my props too..........:lolhit:

Ahhh, you should really try bblades :D :D

I'm looking at an 02 with 575's, what do you think I can expect performance wise???...I do appreciate all the info you guys offered up so far...is the orange BT yours THWL????

Yeah the orange one is mine. I do know there were a few 575's made with the earlier hull design. Hope some one can inform you on the speed. If I was guessnig, I would think 78 to 80 mph range. Some one should know though.

i think that orange paint job is real nice...the girlfriend used your boat pic as her screen saver for a little while. I was thinking upper 70's and a cruising speed in upper 50's with the 575's. Have you owned an other BT's?

Haven't owned others. But test drove the '05 with the previous hull design. The paint job was the first time that Raticalgraphics had gone straight from orange to white without going orange to yellow to white. They were concerned it wouldn't come out good. But it did and I get lots of comments on it.

Rods a great guy.. actually talked with him yesterday. Great painter, also had great comments on my 04 Nor-Tech. Your boat looks great as well.. the orange to white blend... works well.

How fast would a 98 43 be with triple 525s and our triples a good set up in these.

This one?

http://performanceboatbrokerage.com/...sp?boat_id=220

It has seen a best of 90mph. Worst day about 85.

Saxman, how much easier on drives is a trip than a twin in these BT boats?

endeavor1 did loose one of your new b-max drives already????:eek:

Bob would be the best to answer that question, but from what I've seen, the trips seem to run a little bit nicer and you can run them a little harder without worrying about drives. Alot is in how you drive it.

Nah, amazingly the Maxs are hangin in there:bigbird:

When r u gonna get one of these monsters??? Tommys is for sale, the Orange one:evilb:

Thanks for the info Jason, i was curious how hard a trip boat would run. Id think it would be easier on the drives too???

Glad to hear your drives are holden up after the wave jumping...you got a little air:coolcowboy: love to get tommys but unfortunatly its a little out of my new boat budget. I'll be in something by spring though:evilb:

Well, come on up if u want to take a ride and check these boats out before u buy one. Mines getting buffed and waxed in a week or 2 and should be all ready for spring time. Come to think of it, winter F'ing blows. :evilb:

boating season down here lasts a little longer..it would've been great to be out on the water this past weekend but work has consumed most of my time these days...may take you up on the offer come spring if I'm still shopping though. thanks for the invite!!

Well, it may not actually be winter yet, but as soon as it gets below 65, i call it winter. lol

Your more than welcome to come over anytime and ride in it or just look it over with the wife to see if a BT is what you really want.