28 OS Dilemma?
 

I love my boat and the open configuration in front of the helm. It allows me to have more passengers and makes moving around in the boat much easier, especially when tying up to the docks. I doubt I’ll ever stay overnight on the boat so a full cabin is not necessary, besides I do have a v-berth.

I like the size as it is easy to tow and store yet handles the waves great and….it’s a Cigarette! My only complaint is the speed currently topping out around 60. I really would like to be able to go at least 70 to 75 or so. Most of the guys I run with can go faster than that but usually run around that speed. My boat has stock 350’s (285HP) and Alpha’s and I know I could get more power out of them. My question is: Should I spend money upgrading my boat, speed wise or sell it and buy something else. I don’t know if my boat would ever reach the speeds I desire without spending a ton of money. On the other hand, buying a replacement boat wouldn’t be cheap either! I love the new 30” Vice but it’s too much $ for me. I know there are a bunch of CR’s out there but I don’t want to move up to the extra size, preferring the 28’ to 31’ range.

Anybody have any ideas?

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

Sure do like this:

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

Al,

Martin Marine has a 30' Mystique. Some have said it needed a little TLC so it could probably be bought right.

LS JR.

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

Buy a Bullet......I was 86 mph with 650 hp....Add 2" shorties & hit 90mph.....Huge 31 &
CRUSHES Waves !

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

Thanks LS Jr, I sent Tres an e-mail on that boat. Looks like a lot of $$$ though. I was looking at a Mystique at DSM before I bought my 28. beautiful boat but they were talking $170K + for it. For that kind of money I could buy your boat, a new diesel dually to pull it and still pay for indoor storage for 5 years! :eek:

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

What years did they make Bullets?

There is a very nice one in the classified section.

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

I know at one point they were asking $82k. "Cig Daze" went and looked at it I think.

LS JR.

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

you can get your 350's to 360-375 Hp easy. Not a ton of money. The problem is when you get to that speed you are gonna want external steering of at least a stabilizer. You are sitting on a gorgeous old boat that will never loose value. If you would like a nice engine combination P.M. me and I'll give you the details.

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

I'm not sure of the exact weight difference between the OS and the SS, but getting to 75mph is going to be expensive! I'm running 475HP per side in my SS, and I'm getting 71 mph.

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

i got 67 in my ss and only had 300hp per side

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

Your boat has TRS's doesn't it Nick?

I have Aplha's. Would that make a difference in speed?

Dreamer is running 67 with 300HP. An extra 350 HP is only good for 4 MPH? :eek:

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

Al, you thinking of buying a Bullet?? Kevin will tell you to buy a Cafe :D

Any bites on your boat???

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

Hey Tank.

I should have bought Kevin's CR to begin with! :(

I still think a CR is a little too big for my storage space. I'd like to move up to a Bullet or Mystique with HP500s & Bravos but no bites on mine. Thinking about just keeping it and upgrading engines but afraid that there is a limit on what I can get out of it (speed wise). It ain't easy trying to big pimp it keeping up with 'dem SCOPE boyz! :eek: :D

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

add blowers, used bravos (dump the alphas), and custom bravo 1 labbed 4 blades(keep the blades cupped to keep the bow up), used hyd. steering. and victory trim tabs... this will put you where u want to be for the least dollars... haggle and search for the used parts and it could be done for not too much... i think the switch to bravos will be the priciest( have to raise the x to get the speed up there) bvut ittl run like nothing else!!!

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

Nick's boat has Bravo's. His boat ran a solid 75 when the motors were new. Still will pull 70+ anytime with break neck response. It has 350's with Prochargers. Thats real GPS speed, not an estimate or guess.

28's with TRS drives run too "wet" to get off the water, even fully trimmed. The trannies set the motors forward and restrict the amount of lift you can acheive. It's takes alot of hp to get them moving unless you rerig them from their original setups.

The Alpha's won't handle much hp. You wouldn't have to reglass the transom if you wanted to upgrade to Bravo's, unlike the TRS boats. Just cut the holes bigger to fit.

I wouldn't mess with that unless you plan to keep the boat for awhile. You won't get your money back out. If you screw up the transon when cutting into it, you'll be spending alot to repair your mistakes, instead of going faster. :cool:

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

Brandon knows and surely drives this boat better then me so I defer to him.

It will run 71 mph all day every day in any (lake) condition rain, sleet, or shine with gas in the tank. Now if I’m by myself with no gear and no gas, I have touched 73 mph on the GPS. I’ll let you decide if that’s useful. I would invite anyone looking to upgrade their 28 with Bravos to go for a ride in mine. You may not get your money back, but you will get a bad a$$ Cig with unparalleled performance. ;)

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

Thats right! It was worth it to me! :drink:

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

baja if i recall you got a good deal on the 28 allready... used parts and your own labor... you might not lose much money... with those mods your boat would be worth35k-40k with a trailer

p.s. the crayola paint is my all time favorite

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

Thanks for all the advice, guys. I did get a good deal on my boat and like it very much. If I could get 70 to 75 out of it I'd be happy (for now! :eek: ).

I guess that's my dilema. How long will I be happy at 70 - 75? I know that it is a never ending desire, going faster and bigger. Most of my buddies that I run with are going 80 to 100 +. Well, I should say cruise at 70 - 75 with occational (sometimes frequent) blasts to 80 - 90. I know that trying to keep up with them is very $$$$$$. Both in ititial purchace plus maintenance and gas. Logic tells me to keep what I have, upgrade it a bit and be happy with it. How many others feel that way?

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

Looks Like You Have A Pretty Unique Boat I Think I Would Hang On To It .

Re: 28 OS Dilemma?
 

Bravo's, external steering, strokers..

Cool boat, keep and upgrade it..