Who is the fastest?
 

Just curious... who has the fastest Black Thunder? How fast and what is the set-up?

I have always wondered what the hull does with big power.

I would guess Steve David's is the fastest.

I think I can give Steve a run for his money:D

Actually, we'd both get our butts kicked by that 43 talldeck that was out of Cleveland. He had twin 1200 Sterlings on #6's and as I understand he could run nearly 100 MPH pretty consistently. Almost any flat deck BT with good power will also give us a good run for our money. 1400 less pounds and a whole bunch less aero drag. Betsy's boat comes to mind........

The fellow out of Lake Tahoe with twin 900SC's would also give us a heck of a run, as would the guy with the trip 675 Eickerts.

There's, yours, mine, we're all quite blessed to have some pretty cool boats that run darn well for mondo condos.
So, I'll leave the racing for the Unlimited Hydro. Then again, if Horseplay just happens to be near the same Ocean I am and both of our wives are no where near............................. :)

See you guys at the Miami show.

Horseplay, do you have pics of your boat?

As a matter of fact I just happen to - if I can get them to post.

And another.

Nice rig!:D I remember it now.

I saw Horseplay at the Metro Beach boat show this past weekend, and it was definitely the highlight of an otherwise crappy show. Very, very nice...

Thanks! That's nice of you. Even though the show was small, we had a good time. Got to meet som nice poeple. Also had the opportunity to meet Mr. & Mrs. PartiYacht and their new toy. Now if the weather would please turn around.

that's a "RARE BREED" looks good though:)

So how fast are you Steve David and Horseplay3? Just curious.

Also, if the guy in Clevland can run 100mph consistantly, what's his top end? Again, just curious.

One of these days I'll have one. One of these days. :)

Thanks
DAVE

We're running 94 - 95, Steve is a bit faster. I think I have reached Mrs. Horseplay's comfort level (for now). :eek:

Mid 90's:eek: :cool: that's awesome.!!!
DAVE

Thanks Cat!

You're absolutely right about the EC only taking twin power. We don't mind losing a bit of cockpit space. We've had 7 to 8 adults on board with no problem, and the extra kick from the third engine tends to make everyone forget that their a bit more crowded:D

While the BT is no match for a fast kitty like the Spectre, it sure is a lot nicer to spend the weekend on when you get back to the dock!!

While at work got a little board and I thought I might bring this thread back to life a lil bit... Just lurkin over here found something that interested me..

I saw this boat at The Casino on Kelly's Island a few years back... The owner was a very nice guy from Cleveland and I do remember him saying it had a top speed of 103.. I did hear last summer he ended up trading it in on a Hustler and putting those motors in that .. Black Thunders have caught my eye ever since seeing that boat.. It was a sharp lookin BT..

There is a 43 flat deck currently under construction w/ triple 675+'s. I can't wait to hear how that boat will run. Look for it on LOTO this summer.

PurePassion...
Not to stir it up here but that 100MPH B.T. was traded in for a Nor-Tech, not a Hustler.

I stand corrected.. Thank you

Re: Who is the fastest?
 

Don't forget about Dennis Parvo who won the LOTO Shootout last year at 101 mph in his 43' flat deck. He really put it to Terry Sobo from Nortech who use to work for black thunder. Terry ran 93 mph in his 43' Nortech with twin Merc 900SC. Not trying to stir things up.

Re: Who is the fastest?
 

Did anybody see Performance Boat TV where they featured a twin 1,400hp turbine 43' Sport Cruiser? Does anyone know how fast it goes?

Re: Who is the fastest?
 

Faster than I'd want to go. 78-82 is just about right for these condo's. Joe Murray

Re: Who is the fastest?
 

I think you're talking about Turbinator. Definitely a one of a kind. Not sure how fast it is, way faster that me!!
F311, 78 to 80 is a nice cruise speed :D

Re: Who is the fastest?
 

what do you think a 46 would do with triple 600sci ? looking to build one with those motors.

thank you
scott

Re: Who is the fastest?
 

Horseplay, you have a great looking boat, but out of my league. My twin 750's are thirsty enough.Joe Murray

Re: Who is the fastest?
 

Scott, a 46 with triple 600 sci's will probably run in the mid to upper 80's. As Horseplay said, your cruise speed will be fairly high and stable at 75-80.
That said, these aren't race boats. If someone just wants speed,say 90 plus, buy a Fountain or similar. Black Thunders were and are designed to blend comfort, quality, livability and performance in one boat. Doing so is always a compromise. You either have a real fast boat, or a pretty fast reliable boat, never are both found in the same boat....
Black Thunder does make a very quick 43 GT that will run over 100 with twin 900's and is as stable as any builder out there. The sacrifice is in the cabin head room and amenities when compared to the 46. Yet the 43GT still has something like 5'8" of headroom.
Should you buy a Black Thunder I believe you will be quite satisifed with the total package. While someone may pass you in the ocean or lake with a highly modified other brand, you'll probbaly pass them later as they puked an engine or outdrive. And when you get to your destination, you can turn on your AC/ take a shower on board, grab some ice from your ice maker, a cold one from your refrig., and have 6 of your closest friends in the Black Thunder cabin with plenty of elbow room.
I'ver had my 43 Black Thunder going on 5 years now, and have had a series of great times on the water, with good friends, to destinations far away. Virtually all of my boating is in the Atlantic with much of it in the Bahamas.
Ask Horseplay about his and my return trip from Bimini 2 Easter's ago in a beam sea with 8-10's. We had two 38 Cigs with us on the trip. They tucked in behind us, looked liked submarines some of the time, and although we were'nt smooth as silk either, our Black Thunders were rock solid and everything was in one piece when we returned to Port.

Good luck in your boat hunt!

Steve

Re: Who is the fastest?
 

A friend of mine has a 43 that does 85 on gps.

Re: Who is the fastest?
 

Steve, I thought you sold your's. If not are you using it much since you got the big cruiser?

Ian's reworking our engines and thinks maybe we will see 80. I hope not, I don't want to have to worry about the drives. The boat is mid 1990's and still feels solid and we have hit some big stuff crossing Lake MI but I always feel safe. We love staying on board, I know that is not the norm anymore, but I prefer overnighting in a marina as opposed to a hotel. For our style of boating we really like the BT

Re: Who is the fastest?
 

Ms Patriyacht:

I'm with you, we really enjoy stayng on board. That's one of the reasons we bought a Black Thunder. Since we got the 55 SeaRay in November I'haven't used the Black Thunder much, basically run it on the lfit and wash it each week. Randomly think I ought to have both of them, until reality, otherwise known as my wife speaks up :)

It is for sale on the Martin Marine website and I hope it finds a good home.

Thanks for writing, have a great summer.

Steve

Re: Who is the fastest?
 

I Saw 107 MPH on a gps while riding in Parvey's 43 on Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin. I'm not sure, but that was a very fast ride.

Re: Who is the fastest?
 

Yeah, I was on for that ride too. It was nice being the first one to the card stops, until that trannie went. I spose leaving the throttle down for most of the way across lake winnebago wasn't being too easy on it. Oh well, it was fun while the ride lasted.

Re: Who is the fastest?
 

How did that boat end up running? Is that Cannon's new boat?

Re: Who is the fastest?
 

Yes it is. It is up and running, however he is having a fuel delivery problem. They seem to hit about 4200 RPMS and it begins to fall on it's face.

They are busy with Chief trying to find out a solution. They have tried everything that has been brought up.