26 zx speeds
 

just bought 26 zx with 496ho stock
what kind of speeds might i expect?
it has a 24" bravo and i was wondering if it can handle a 26"
(1.5/1 drive)
only had it out for a few minutes on test drive and it seemed to hit rev limmiter fairly quick.
gps wasan't working

thanks

If it is the MAG Ho, then around 63-65mph if you are not in a high elevation. Some can run a 26b1. If you can then you may see 65-67mph.. :) Jamie / Lakeside

thanks for info
i was hoping it may be a little faster than that for a twin stepped hull that weighs less than 27zr that reportedly
will do 71 with 496 mag ho spinning a 26 b1 (time to plane is prety slow)
i'am boating at 500' and it is a mag h.o.
I was considering headers to help insure a step up in prop,
but thats about all i would do to this boat for now and probably ever. Anybody got any info on just header upgrade and if it was worth it? (lightnings for cost purpose)
thanks again

Jamie is on the money. These boats like some power to get moving. They respond well to big hp. I would hope that the 27ZR would be a good bit lighter if you actually broke out the scales. These ZX's are heavy boats. The hull does not really loosen up good until you get it in the 60's.

The header mod is not bad but I doubt you will see much or a benefit in speed. You will probably gain some throttle response and possibly a mph or two if you hold it open long enough.

The 26ZX is heavier then the 27ZR: The 26ZX is all fiberglass and is a great rough water boat, The 27ZR was not as wide and is a Kevlar set up, less weight and less weight in the cabin area. changing exhaust may give you 1 MPH but thats about it. When I owned mine I dropped in a 650HP and she then moved up to 78mph. I sometimes on a good day would break 80GPS but rare.
I have done prop change outs and the outcome was always the same the stock prop did work the best. remember the 26ZX was 26'5" length and 5800lbs dry.

Shanghied is correct the 26zx is heavier.. I had a late model one which had 625hp in it & I could hit 80 on a good cold day.. The average was around 75-77mph gps with 625hp in mine..

I also agree the exhaust mods may only net you about 1-2mph at the very most. We have also done those mods to the 496's. Not much speed increase, but it does pull & accellerate a bit harder.

Short story is you need big power to get movin fast in these hulls.. Most people buy them because even though they are not super fast boats in stock form they are wave crushers & ride like a dream and have a good ammount of space. ALso if you want to invest the $$ to do the power then you can have good speed, ride & handling.. :)

Jamie / Lakeside

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I will just runn'er the way she is for now.The marina called me and said my drive needs a lot of work anyways plus i need a mooring cover and some other expenditure's.
I do like the rough water capabilities and need every bit and then some running in lake ontario ,but it should tame fingerlakes prety good (all are close to me)
It will be fun for a while

any one want to compare donzi to baja?
JUST KIDDING THANKS FOR INPUTT

No problem.. :)

Hey if you run the finger lakes you aren't too far north of me.. Im just a couple Hrs south.. We are in NEPA.. Feel free to look us up if you need anything done to your Donzi in the future.. It's one of our specialties.. ;)

Jamie / Lakeside
www.LakesideRestorations.com


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yea , your not to far,Ia'm just east of rochester

so just for grins whats ballpark on a whipple setup including
any drive work and a prop and how reliable?
this is an 04 with 95hrs and bravo x drive

I will drop you a call tomorrow if I get a chance

Cool, Give me a shout tomorrow when you get a chance & I can go over it with you. I can give you some ball park #'s then.. ;) Jamie / Lakeside 570-639-2628

These guys Shangheid and Jamie are on the money with the whole speed/prop deal.

A number of us have played around with different combos but mostly use the Merc Bravo. I think that Jamie here ended up with a 5 blade but he has a pretty high xdimension and started slipping once he went with bigger power. He will knows much more about the later model 26ZX's so I will let him run with that one.

For the lower power combos, there is nothing special. You may be able to wring another mph or two by going to a 3 blade but you will probably not like the handling. I would run it the way it is (just like the way you mentioned) until it is time to up the ante. Then you can run it up the road to Jamie and see how much fun it is with 625+hp. :evilb: or maybe more......

Now the Baja comparison.....well let's just say I got beat by a Baja once. It had a blown 509 and was a runner. He could run 85 on a good day. Well I went back to the drawing board over the winter. Let's just say he won't come near me now. My favorite Baja to dust off is one of the nice twins. One of the boats that sounds loud and has a couple of 454's. One that a guy has stepped up to so he really can impress his girl. I like to let them get up next to me at 60 or so. Right where they thing that my heavy single is going to run out of beans. He will then lean over and tell his girl he is going to dust me off. I watch them drop the hammer. As that happens I ease into it and run it up to about 70-75 or so. Right where they are going to run out of beans. Then I drop the hammer and come running by at 85+ That is when the girls in my boat wave good bye. I love Baja dusting stories.

thats funny

exept I probably won't be laughing when this guy with a
24' cobalt b.r. (same power) walks me on one of the smaller lakes here that i frequent.
he's cocky enough
I will have to coax him out when a storm is comeing in ,
then it might get fun.

I used the storm trick on my 27ZX. I had these bass boats that would smoke me on hot summer days when the water was glass. When a good system would come in I would run by them at 65 or so in 3+ footers. Those poor guys would be sneaking down the bank off plane trying to get home. I would not buzz them close or anything but they got the picture when they saw me having a ball out in the middle of the lake.

It should work like a dream with that Cobalt.

Thanks for the plug :) J

It was good talking with you this afternoon.. & Congrats on the new ride.. The cobalt is a good boat, but if it gets rough out just remember the more wicked it gets the more fun YOU will have in your boat! :) Jamie

GPS results....
 

What they said :) See attached.

I've actually seen a little more heading into light chop. Mine's a 2000 with HO Mag, all stock with stock B1.

.........and it's for sale. (83 hours)

http://gallery.me.com/micahmiles/100...12602465260001