Increased speed plan
 

I’m interested in a plan to incrementally increase my boats performance. I recognize I could drop a bundle and quickly exceed any goal or ability I currently have, but for now I’d like to do this in steps increasing speed while my experience and abilities keep up. I have a 2007 Baja 26 Outlaw 496 HO. CMI headers were on it when I got it. Still double checking the prop, but currently running a labbed 24p Bravo one. Stock Bravo one outdrive, and no changes to ECM I’m aware of. I’ve checked the bottom and it’s straight. No hook. There may be a source out there, but what I’m interested in would be something like a list of mods with realistic speed gains. What type of increases would I expect out of mods like new shorter outdrive lower? Extension box? Any possible changes under the hatch before having to change engine internals? ECM changes? Of course, I’d want to start with the biggest bang (+MPH) for my buck. I’d also need to consider you can’t simply increase HP and forget that a stock Bravo one outdrives not going to cut it at some point. Lots to consider, but I know there are others out there who have taken this same approach. I also know that at some point, it will make sense to sell and step up, but for now I’ll progress with the boat I have. We really do love the boat, regardless of its limitations.

I'm no expert, but I will offer a few things. First, if you want to go faster, you're generally better off buying a boat that was designed to go faster rather than modifying what you have. Especially with a Baja, they are not known for speed. Also, the 496 is a great motor and bullet proof, when not modified, but it does not have the internals that support increased hp. You could put a blower on it, but risk, blowing up the motor. If you insist, I'd start with the prop, but it looks like you've already done that. ECM - Ok, but I would not expect much out of that. Drive height, lots of work with compromises along that way. The factory set it where it is for a reason.

If it were me with that package, I'd leave it alone and enjoy the reliability for a long time. Or, I'd sell it and buy something faster with a blue motor that can support modifications. Hope this helps.

I know this isnt the answer you want to hear but In my experience if you want a faster boat buy a faster boat... dont buy a slow boat and make it fast. There will be lots of trial and error involved and more money thrown in to it than it's worth, in the long run it will be cheaper!

The 26 Outlaw takes a lot of power to get it faster.I can put you in touch with a friend who I sold a 2007 26 Outlaw to and he got the itch for speed. He's running a complete Imco scx drive with a -2 lower and 28 pitch 4 blade prop. It has a Gen 7 Dart 540 block which accepts the 496 components. I believe he's making right at 580hp and best speed is 76 mph on GPS.

Yea, a boat is definitely not like modding a car. It takes lots of HP and $$$$ to go faster. Myself I’d leave it alone. Great motor and drive setup.

What’s your end goal? Just a little bit faster or a lot faster? Best bang for the buck would be to screw with props. You want great trim reaction for a Baja to go fast, needs as much hull out of the water as possible. More top speed would be a three blade but you’ll sacrifice planing and cruise. What’s your X-dimension now? Or from the bottom of the hull to the prop shaft centerline with the drive trimmed perfectly parallel with the hull. Having a hull like yours at these speeds isn’t worth having it blue printed if in fact it is straight on the bottom which it most likely is. It’s not cheap but here’s some basics to see worth while gains IMO

1. Full hydraulic steering - Mercury ITS is hydraulic with 7” extension box together, clean package, no extra holes in the hull for steering rams or hydraulic lines. The control on confidence hydraulic steering adds can’t be overstated.
2. Stronger drive. Fresh Bravo X at the minimum, depending on power. You could go with a sportmaster lower with an extension box
3. Merc 525efi. Sell 496 to recoup some cost. This should get you into the mid 70s with a good prop etc..
Stop here and you’d have a boat you’d get good money for (still not what you put into it) come selling time that a lot of potential buyers of that hull would drool over
3a. Build your own motor with your power and cost goals in mind.
3b. Supercharge the 496, keep boost low and keep fingers crossed.

We’ll stop here for now. The rabbit hole is deep and it’s a slippery slope

Modding boats is a bit different than cars. When your car doesn't start you ruin your day. When your boat doesn't start you ruin everyone's day. Modding inherently will have plenty of bad days.

I'd agree with everyone here, sell your boat, buy one as fast as you want.

Use forged internals for sure if going the Supercharger route!! I agree with a replacement engine 500, 525, etc for ease of taking the old one out and dropping a new one in so everything works correctly and gaining some mph, as well as a nice blue motor under the hatch.

Messing with the 496 would be a mistake, and the original drive/engine combo is the best for that boat unless you’re will to go deep money to reinvent the boat. A lot of Outlaw owners have had great results with the Rev4 prop.

I’m not positive about the Outlaw but I’m pretty sure extension boxes and shorty drives don’t respond well on that hull. Search the Baja sub forum here and you’ll find tons of info on what works and what doesn’t.

If you want to go ten mph faster, going to needapproximately 200 more hp. Go thru motor mod everything, add a supercharger and you'll be there. There is no "easy or cheap" mods that will give you much speed with a slow hull. I made my 272 baja run almost 100 mph, if I had it to do over, I would have moved to different hull sooner, Smitty

Maybe hull upgrading with nice pad kell?

Is the 200 hp = 10 mph linear or exponential. 20 hp per mph?

When you say upgrading hull with nice keel pad, are you saying upgrading this hull with a “larger” keel pad, or upgrading to a hull with a larger keel pad? I suspect there are several factors that play into a fast hull. I just don’t have the design background to know what those are. I’m sure weight is an issue with any hull design, and I’m looking at any way to reduce that. Of course, that’s limited to “don’t touch the wife’s toilet or shower holding tank.”

I’ve also read a little on CG (center of gravity) and loading your boat. One article said weight aft as much as possible, but others weren’t so definitive or clear. An aircrafts CG is identified at design, and can be determined by weighing. The CG is also based on known equipment distribution, and can be recalculated if equipment is moved, added, or removed. I would think, as in aircraft, that CG affects the boats attitude/AOA (angle of attack) and as such hull performance at any particular time. I’m not aware of any published CG for my boat, and don’t really know anything about the affect AOA has on speed, but I’m sure it does. Seems probable there is a sweet spot where the perfect angle of attack results in best speed. I’ve read some about prop shaft angle and trim tabs, and how both affect thrust, drag, and AOA, but it’s still murky to me. Add to that waves and wind, and I’ve got a lot to learn to get the maximum performance my boat is currently capable of. I’m feedback, especially on CG, is appreciated.

The hull design of the outlaw is not an efficient hull design is what they are telling you. There is nothing wrong with it, it is just how it was built. Other hulls are more efficient and allow for more speed with the same power, these hulls have steps, pad, and notch. You would be money ahead if you leave your current boat stock and buy a different boat if you want to go faster.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=...AAAAAdAAAAABAD

https://mbgforum.com/topic/7573-hull-pad/

https://www.screamandfly.com/content...ee-Hull-Faster

The Outlaw is a great all around performance boat and much friendlier for family outings than some of the faster hulls. It can be done but not really by incremental improvements as the factory got it pretty right to begin with.

I have a 272 with a nearly identical hull and have gone down this road. Smitty got his 272 almost over 100mph but I think it took 1200hp or so. Speed can be had, but this is what you’re achieving.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...417ed3145d.png

I just went through a similar dilemma but I have a 28 Nordic Heat. The 496HO is a great engine stock, but when you modify it you better do it right or it won't hold together. There's not much you can do with it as far as "one step at a time" mods to build on. It's pretty much all or nothing. So, I decided to go all in and rebuild it with forged internals and a Whipple supercharger system. Doing everything myself I was still over $12k into it. Next step is beefing up the Bravo X drive, and that's another $$$ story.

[QUOTE=26 Outlaw Bad Influence;4744650]I would think, as in aircraft, that CG affects the boats attitude/AOA (angle of attack) and as such hull performance at any particular time. I’m not aware of any published CG for my boat, and don’t really know anything about the affect AOA has on speed

your right to a degree, but aircraft generally have a narrower “sweet spot” when it comes to cg’s and are less forgiving speed wise and control wise if you violate the published cg.
i think with a boat it’s about minimizing the wetted surface and still be “flying” level.
so you need a hull that wants to lift and enough power to lift it. as stated by others, your easiest gain in speed is picking a hull designed for speed.

Artic is right. The rule of thumb on Baja is about 20 HP per MPH, that is pretty accurate and would probably go to 25 or more after 85 MPH. (Somebody throw in their 2 cents here)
Another thing nobody touched on yet is the drive. Being a single-engine Baja you are inevitably going to have drive issues so tack on another $15K for an SCX. There was a dude on here that had a beautiful Baja 26, I believe he was running a 700SCi with an SCX, great thread for you to lookup. The SCX had a whole other list of issues on a Baja 26 too that might be useful in your decision.

So, yeah just buy a new boat. LOL

I’m sure that you’ve found this thread by now. It seems to be the closest to the road you’re embarking on.

https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...c-525-efi.html

Feedback
 

Tons of great feedback. Like I said up front, my boat probably matches my experience level with performance boating, so I’ll learn all I can with what we have and perhaps move up when its right. I’m sure I’ll have more questions, so bear with a beginner.

We've all been beginners. That’s why we wholeheartedly try to help you escape our mistakes, lol.

We’re sincerely trying to help you have the most fun boating and not spend your summer upside down in the bilge at the dock. I’ve literally have had my feet sunburnt while screwing with the engine all day. :)

Thanks Baja Rooster! Yeah, thats the thread I was talking about, IGW was very thorough IMHO. He did a great job and tested a lot of variables. My bad saying it was a 700SCi but a 525 with a Whipple isnt far off.

It’s a gorgeous boat and very well done which is the best way to approach it once you deviate from from fresh spark plugs and oil changes.

Buy an activator, joker or superboat.