Steve, I will be down unfortunatly only Thursday, so I probably will not get a chance too meet you. The sole purpose to come down is to visit Black Thunder and Nor-tech's booth. I apprieciate your help, thanks, Jeff.

We checked out the 46 extended cockpit at the Lauderdale. Suddenly a boat I hadn't considered made its way to my VERY short list of manufacturers I want to buy from. The interior of the cockpit was almost on a level with the Sunseekers we looked at. Great boat!

I have to say BT makes a hell of a boat. Never ridden in one, seen several, and walked thru one at a boat show. Overall a hell of a big boat that posts some impressive speed numbers for its size. There were however a few imperfections on fit/finish that I though could have been done better.

I have tied up next to some 43's and their overall deck height and size was more substantial than my 42 Sonic. Read an article a while back on the 46 BT with tripple 500's. Very impressive boat !

BT is on my list of potential next boats. I like the ammenities & head room. As long as she can run in the 70's thats fine with me.
The Active Thunder 42 is supposed to have head room and also post some good numbers. 8600lbs hull weight if I remember correctly.

SteveDavid,

What pitch 5 blade hydros are you running? Just curious.

P.S. What are the B-maxs running these days? $$$$

Hi Ray,

I'm running 15.50 X 29 pitch P-5's with diffuser rings on 1.36 gear ratio XR drives.

Steve

I have a 1996 (built and bought in 95) 43' flat deck non stepped hull. It came with 330's in it I built some 496cid engines that dynoed at 598 hp and installed them spring of '97.
We boat about 100hrs a year and it still has the original Bravos. It is not a drag racer and I tend to bring it out of the gate pretty easy. I get the 4 blade 26 pitch bravo props out of the water a once in awhile but never real hard. We did break the an ear off of one of the Intimidators that came with it.
Steve

I have a 46 SC with 675's and broke 3 drives, then I replaced with B-MAX'S they have worked very well. I have a friend with the same engines, he tried the Imco's and they broke as well, he canged to B-MAX'S, also now Blackthunder has built several with B-MAX'S.

I have a 43 BTSC with trip 500EFI and have lost the center and port outdrive this season (bravo 1). The previous owner had also lost the port drive. I have talked to mercruiser and they recommend the XR drives. Any for Sale?
Gene/Insanity

Bob Jenkins builds a hell of a boat. I would recommend xr drives and be easy comming out of the hole. Good Luck

David

Insanity,

Tony SanMarco at SM Marine in Fort Lauderdale has some XR's available at very favorable pricing. Last week he had 2 new XR lower units, low water pickups and 2 lowers with regular pickups for $2,700 each that I think are still available.
His # is 954-764-1724. He just put a new Port drive on mine. A $60 pinion bearing went away (XR) and that took out the lower gears. $2,800 later and she's all back together and the fun factor needle is back at 100%.

Steve