Staggered Cafe?
#1
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Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 641
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From: Tullahoma Tennessee
Well since I got scammed and screwed over on some junk engines I have all winter now to figure out what I’m going to do next.
Hope to have my engines out for the 3rd time to rebuild find out what “ happened “
My 87 Cafe was originally a TRS boat and got converted in around 2017 to bravos with a new transom and stringers etc.
that being said since I free’d up some engine bay/ bilge space would I see or gain any benefit “ semi staggering my boat? Or leave it alone?
just getting ideas or thoughts
Hope everyone has had a great season.
Hope to have my engines out for the 3rd time to rebuild find out what “ happened “
My 87 Cafe was originally a TRS boat and got converted in around 2017 to bravos with a new transom and stringers etc.
that being said since I free’d up some engine bay/ bilge space would I see or gain any benefit “ semi staggering my boat? Or leave it alone?
just getting ideas or thoughts
Hope everyone has had a great season.
#2
I don’t think that’s worth the energy/investment.
Cafe’s are great boats. I regret selling mine every day, but the reality is that’s a great boat to put reliable power in, cruise at 50 and try to find a top speed in the upper 70’s. Any ambitions beyond that are misplaced in that hull I feel. If you want something faster, don’t dump 100k into a Cafe Resto, just go buy a T/S.
Throw some reliable 540’s or mild blown 502’s in it and enjoy the hell out of a nice reliable Bravo boat…..
Cafe’s are great boats. I regret selling mine every day, but the reality is that’s a great boat to put reliable power in, cruise at 50 and try to find a top speed in the upper 70’s. Any ambitions beyond that are misplaced in that hull I feel. If you want something faster, don’t dump 100k into a Cafe Resto, just go buy a T/S.
Throw some reliable 540’s or mild blown 502’s in it and enjoy the hell out of a nice reliable Bravo boat…..
#4
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 762
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From: Boerne, TX.
Leave it alone. I had a 35 Top Gun which shared the Cafe hull. You can throw a gazillion HP at it and it will still only go so fast. Like mentioned above they aren't rockets and aren't meant to be. Cruise at 50, speeds in the upper 70's and enjoy it, past that and you will be wrenching more than boating, trust me.
#9
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From: Tullahoma Tennessee
#10
I don’t think you’ll find anyone that would recommend staggering a cafe. First, the hull is less efficient than a top gun and you’ll never see the speed you should see with a stagger big power set up. Second, the money and work it would take you’ll NEVER see again. It would also eliminate the rear seat and you’d have to remove the fuel cell step inside the engine compartment. Basically you’d have to strip the cockpit back to the stringers to remove fuel cells.
like Ken said, if you want a stagger boat, just buy one and save 150k.
like Ken said, if you want a stagger boat, just buy one and save 150k.







