RedDog, you've got the best combination of having 2 boats. Hard to imagine a more versatile combo than a 382 and a 260SS!

I consider myself very fortunate to have the ability to do this. Only thing possibly better would be to have a matching 400 SS in the line-up like the one on the left in this photo.

Hematite,
I've got the same package as you in my 2006 260 and I top off at 48.6 mph @ 4900 rpm with full fuel and 2 on board.
It's not fast but it's the perfect boat for what I like to do.

A thing you could consider, is to stay with the same pitch and run the 3+4 combo if you are currently running the 3+3. If you are @ 5300 you are on the high side and possibly a bit out of breath. You are posting the fuel prices as a concern, the 3+4 will give you better milage, and drop you from 5300 to about 5100-5150. I would also be very surpriced if they hurt your time to plane. You can always contact your local prop pusher and see if you can try a set. If not, Bblades have a test program with 45$ price for 15 days of testing. Should you decide to purchase the prop, the 45$ will be deducted from the prop price.

A.O., Thanks for the suggestion about the BBlades trial program! I didn't realize that is available. Yes, the boat now has the 3/3 combo. Hmm, that 4/3 combo could have some merit, I didn't realize that there is also a mpg improvement. That never hurts since this boat will be at 30mph cruising the majority of the time that I own it.

I realize I am resurrecting an old thread, but It seems that I have just joined the Formula family.
We just bought a 2005 Formula 260 BR.
The boat came from a lake just north of Charlotte NC. It only has the 300hp 350 Mag-Bravo 3 so I wasn't expecting much, but I thought it would do better than 40mph?
Problem was, the wife loved the boat, so we made the deal anyway.
So, the boat is home, a good cleaning, a little maintenance, a full load of fuel, aaaaaaand 40mph.
My question is, how much faster is the same boat with the 496?
This boat has a thru-hull water pickup, which I'm sure cost 1-2mph, but dayum.
Does anyone else have this boat with the 350? What are the real numbers with this boat w-496?
We got a decent deal on the boat, so I may be in the market for a 496 Mag HO, with smartcraft.
Gawd I love boats... ( rolling eyes )

I had a 2002 260 SS closed bow with a 496 HO that I sold last year. It would run 52 - 54 on GPS depending on conditions and load. Great boat!

Why on earth would it have a thru-hull water pickup? Boat should run 45 - 47 MPH with the 350 MAG. What RPM at WOT? .

As stated above, what is your max rpm? What props are on it now?

Full of fuel, 38.6 MPH @ 4500 RPM
Previous owner had the hull water intake installed. Story I got was, "to avoid seaweed intake into the drive".
I have this little voice in the back of my head saying "previous owner melted an impeller once and this was the "fix" from a shop somewhere to prevent a repeat"

Not sure what pitch props are on it. I'm sure they are original.