292 Fastech What to look for when buying?
 

I'm going to be upgrading to a 2002 292 Fastech with the 377 Scorpions pending inspections and sea trial.

Can you offer insight into specific flaws this hull and motor are prone too?

I am currently in a 25 Outlaw with a HP500, so I have enough knowledge to look for normal issues, just want to make sure I don't miss anything.

I think the Scorpions need 91 Octain Fuel

thats a sweet package, as far as I know the 292 doesn't have any "trouble" spots, so due the normal due diligence stuff

I would look for hydraulic steering.

Be warned....the 292 Fastec's take a long time to get on plane. Formula tried to help this issue by putting 1.65 ratio drives on them.

we owned a 2003, here's my list:

1. Check windshield mounting. If it's loose in the back it most likely was run pretty hard in decent water.

2. Open front anchor locker. Often times people put anchors in there and the fiberglass is cracked and full of holes.

3. Check prop size. Anyone running 28's, is over propped and will take about an hour to get on plane.

4. Check for stress cracks around windshield and corners.

5. Make sure carpet in cabin is up to your standards clean wise. They are glued in and a ***** to take out and re-install.

6. Other than that check the usuals, drive pins, hull damage, hull wetness, motors, etc.

Get in touch with Formula and give them the HIN. The should have any warranty history and the build sheet. One of the guys might have already contacted you as they do watch this forum.

-Dave

The boat has hydraulic steering from the factory.

The boat is a 2002 and has been owned by the seller since 2004. Marine serviced, currently awaiting the service records dating back at least 10 years.

Ive read a lot about the planing issues, to my knowledge the scorpion boats came with 30s on them. I've already had an eye out for used 280s k planes.

With the 377s def go for k-planes.

I saw your response in the other thread, thanks for the input. I like the idea of buying or have longer plates made from a cost and labor perspective...I'm not 100% convinced the cost of doing k planes will be worth the results for running the upper bay.

the 377s put out some power. the k planes will definitely help when running just from a control perspective as the 292 hull above 70mph likes to chine walk a bit. throw in seas and winds you can have your hands full when running at the speeds the 377s can reach. Kplanes are wider and longer than the bennetts. I believe they are 14x19 and just a lot more solid than the bennetts.

+1 on the K-Planes. Had them installed on mine a couple years after owning the 292. Big difference in handling in rough water and move/respond much quicker than the Bennett's. Do a search, I started a thread a while back on the swap.

Good to hear it has factory installed hydraulic steering. That was an $8000 option (MSRP) on my 2006 292.

My 6.2's are 320 HP and turning labbed 28P Bravo's. No problem getting on plane, even heavily loaded. 69-70 mph most any day with a best ever 72.2 mph.

So I've spoke to Bennett, they can sell me 12x16 plates that bolt right up @ 250ea., as Splitdecision had done. I also have a deal on used K planes, pumps, and braided hoses for $1250. I took at look at the photos you had posted so I don't think the install of K planes will be too difficult, just tedious.

Are the normal plates 12x12?
I was actually looking at the same idea, but gave up when imsaw the bolt pattern was different for the larger tabs. This is good news.......I will be picking up my boat this weekend.

Yes. The stock Bennett tabs are 12x12.

Bennett tabs are junk. One they are super slow. Two the indicators if you have them are terrible and third if you land hard on a large wave the stupid plastic Rams break. Don't waste your time and get the real thing. Merc 280s and mechanical indicators are a must . Jeff Wurl

4mulafastech, Would it be possible for you to take some photos with measurements of your setup for me whenever you get a chance. I plan on doing the install myself so that would be a huge help for making sure that layout and mounting goes as smooth as possible.

Sure! I will get photos and measurements this weekend.

I also have a 2002 292 with scopion 377s. 2 years ago I installed LECO HIGH PERFORMANCE 14X19
electric tabs with indicators built into the new switch assembly. This was the best money i ever spent, aprox. $2000
Made a BIG difference getting on plane and running in rough water at LOTO
they operate very fast aprox 2.8 seconds from top to bottom

http://www.lencomarine.com/index.php...ty-performance

I am determined to get my pig out of the hole faster this year. The plans are to make ventilation tubes to get some slip in the props while they are getting up on plane. If that doesn't pan out then it will be off to bblades to have the props drilled for vent holes. I love this boat but hate when I have people in the back seat and I have to plow water until it gets on plane.


I know the idea will work because I tested it with small tubes and compressed air last season.

Gbuttion, Here are a couple pics. They are mounted 1/2 inch above the bottom and 1 inch from the bottom edge of the molded swim platform. Let me know if you need any other info.

I just picked up my 292, and the props have been drilled in 4 places to help ventilation. Still interested in bigger tabs....not sure which direction to go here.

Revspan - What engines are in your 292? Even before the K-Planes my 292 with the 320 HP 6.2's got on plane fine turning labbed 28P Bravo's with no vent holes. It doesn't 'jump' on plane with either the Bennett's or K-Planes, although the K-Planes help a little. For a heavy, 24° dead rise V-hull, I never thought it was that bad with these engines/props. You lose sight of the horizon for a bit, but not that long.

We do most of our boating on the Mississippi River, and it can be pretty fun with large cruisers and barges building some big waves against the current. One thing I like to do at times is run fast in rough water. When running 60+ mph with the Bennett's I always felt they were not helping much and the 292 could get out of shape pretty quick. THIS is the reason I decided to give the K-Planes a try. I couldn't have been happier the first time running in rough water. I said before, my wife actually commented to me that she couldn't believe the difference and was actually GLAD I spent the money on this upgrade. Just sharing my experience. Good luck!

Are all the vent plugs closed off or some open?

I assume that it came with 28 bravos?

You will love the boat. It does eveything that it's bigger brothers do but with the bullet proof reliability of small blocks and bravos!

My boat has 377s. Basically new with only a few hours on them. We sea trialed and noticed that the tabs rally helped getting on plane...bet were not required. The props are straight from Formula....labbed bravo 28pwith vent holes drilled in them. The dealer has a lot of experience with performance boats and called Formula to get their ok. So, I can say that Formula delivered a new boat(has never been titled or sold) to me with the props vented.
Going to be a while before I get it on the water again, but am looking to learn and optimize the package. I cannot say enough about the fit and finish of this boat...they are great. Not a lot of storage compared to my previous Powerquest, but it will do, as it has a lot of other good qualities.

the 377s in the newer boats are the same motors as the 6.2s in the older boats. they have the 377 block. these are not the 377 blue scorpion motors. just wanted to clarify

That's great, thanks so much. Sold my 25 Outlaw yesterday, and should be doing inspection and sea trial on the 292 this week hopefully. I also picked up a used pair of 280s, with lines and pumps for $450. They need to be cleaned up and power coated, but should be good to go.

Anyone ever removed, or know how to remove the rails on the bow and stern. Thinking about power coating them as well, thoughts....??

I had a 2007 292 that I sold n 2009, but I had same issue with it getting on plane. I installed Stainless Marine exhaust and it came on plane a couple seconds sooner. I think it was because with the new exhaust systems it weighed 160 pounds less in the rear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSbp8QIKNBA

And it sounded much better too!

Did your 292 have the Corsa Quick-and-Quiet Y-pipe and did that work with the Stainless Marine exhaust? I've been thinking of going with those manifolds. Any tips? Thanks.

Yes it had Captains Call, and was easy to install. It may have given the boat a little extra torque too? The OEM manifolds weighed 90-100 lbs per engine, stainless exhaust reduced weight about 160 lbs total.

So I was just cruising power boat swap shop and saw a 312 with k planes. It appears they installed under water led pucks where the existing trim tab cylinder holes were above the k plane mounting plate. Seems easier than repairing gel, and would be a neat look at night. Thoughts?????https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...d3&oe=57896397

I don't have pictures of my 292 transom before K-Planes, but here is an example (google search) of a 292 with the dual ram Bennett's. The top of the cylinders are simply attached to the transom using lag screws, I believe. Maybe they were thru-bolted, I don't remember. Either way, you have six small holes to fill. A single LED would not be big enough, but I guess you could install two.

I'm not so much worried about the screw holes, as I am there holes where the hydraulic lines run. There should be a 1/2" or 3/4" hole behind the top of each ram where the hydraulic lines run through the transom. I'd like to put one led in each hole to make it quick and easy.

Took delivery on my 292 fastech yesterday. Sea trialed in 25mph winds w/ 2' chop, boat jumped right up and rode great. I think I made the right choice with the little time I ran it. The back seat has some stitching pulling, so I'm going to try to get it recovered before the season hits. Other than that, I have 280s I plan to install in the coming weeks, drive showers, maybe do a stereo update, a good spring detail and she should be good to go!

Here are 2 pics I snapped yesterday.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3U...ew?usp=sharing


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3U...ew?usp=sharing