I finally found a used Imco -2 lower in great condition from a guy here on OSO. Luckily for me, he was only a 1/2 hour drive from here. I took it apart, all the internals were in great shape. I am going to install a spare set of cryoed lower gears I had on the shelf. I had to order a few minor parts from Imco, nothing major. I should have it all back together next week. The next chance I get, I plan on swapping lowers and testing it out. I will post results soon.

Very interested in the results. I wonder how planing and overall handling will be influenced. I am going to guess an additional 2mph on the top end.

Cool let us know what happens.

Great, please post the results. I have one for sale if anyone is interested. Email me at [email protected]

I finished assembling the lower today. If the weather holds, I will try it out this Tuesday. I'll post results.

I got the shorty on today and gave it a run. The results are good. Getting on plane was no problem at all. I took it a bit easier on the stick than usual, I experienced no blow out at all. I expect to be able to get on plane as usual the next time out. Turning at speed was not a problem, the prop stayed hooked up. I am running a Hydromotive P5-X. I dropped the trim as I usually do when turning, nothing different was needed. Now for speed results. First with the conditions... The water was dead flat calm today. Not even a ripple. 85* and humid. As for my experiences with this boat, thats not good for speed runs. I had 3/4 tank of fuel, I was the only one on board. With the hot weather and calm sea conditions, I was able to match my best speed as I could run with the standard lower , in great conditions. 83 mph... The unusual thing is that the tach was the same as usual throughout the range. The slip seems to be about the same. I was expecting it to go up. I think I have to verify that my tach is accurate. Something isnt right. The next test will be to run in the ocean. Today , was not a good day. Very big swells. Too big for a small Checkmate. With better conditions, I expect to see 85 or 86 mph. In my opinion, the test was a success.
So to all you 259 owners, go find yourselves a -2 Imco lower.

Awesome results! Keep us posted!

Thanks for sharing the numbers. I am curious to see how you feel about the -2 with more seat time. We will wait on the purchase until you have a few more runs.

ANy more testing with the 2" lower? How does it effect the porpoising? Ive got a bravo 1 4 blade on my 253 and im about 300rpms low, I was thinking of trying a shorter lower before I send the prop out to be labbed. Should pick up some rpm's i would think.

No I havent been able to test any further. The weather here has sucked. I hope to run it tomorrow. I'll post results.