27 496ho speed
 

Just picked up a 2004 27 with a 496ho and did some testing today. Came with a30 pitch bravo one prop and 1.65 drive. I got 69 on GPS in good conditions. Tried a 28 pitch because I saw a lot of the 496 27 fountain combos ran that prop and I was all over the rev limiter. Top speed was at 5000 rpm's. overall I am happy and I would imagine bblades could probably get me in the 70-72 mph range. Any thoughts on optimizing this combo?

Matt

Is the price of a the new prop worth possibly only 1 mph? I would rather have good mid range punch and the ability to cruise at 45-50. Jmo

X2, You have a turn key set up that was probably sent away from the factory like that. Those guys over there know what they are doing.

I agree with a above... My boat "may" go a tad faster BUT it's a scary ride, trimmed, wide open over 70mph my boat will get loose quick !!!
I spent a small $$$ to run a "tad" faster ... I wish I had your turn key reliable set up ��

I have an 05 with a 496HO. I ran about 68 new 66 now. Has 1.5 28p. I tried a BB prop and sent it back once to try again. I lost 3 mph. If Fountain could change the prop and get more speed they would have done it. BB prop was a waste of money IMHO.

I am surprised to here that about bblades. I am sure fountain set them up well but prop technology in 9 years has come a long way.

Matt

I think what we are all trying to say is even if you got 70..... is it just to say, hey man I can do 70! For what one of those props cost is it worth it? I wont get madd at ya if you call your 69 mph fever a 70 mph boat either!

Lol
We are talking about how fast are boats are
Everyone tells the truth and no one exaggerates

Lol i here what your saying but at the same time we don't own pontoon boats and we do like to go fast. If I have the same boat with the same power as the next guy I want it to be faster than yours. It's in my blood I can't help it.

Matt

What do you consider a "tad" faster? I am considering buidling my 502 but I don't want to build it and then it be a scary ride.

Anyone have any thoughts on what the 27 feels like at 75 or 85? Scary? Wish you wouldn't have done it? Do it again in a heartbeat?

I would like some input.

Well lets see... My 3rd motor was a 502, blown 420 mega blower, only running 5 pounds of boost. Dyno at 680 HP at 4900, I used to spin it 5200-5300 rpm... I would never (never) hit it hard out of the hole... All bro s used to laugh at me.... BUT I never blew a drive... Take my time getting on plane, get the boat moving to 3000 rpm. Then if I wanted I would drop the hammer to ...
Anyway my top speed ... 79.4. F'in could not get GPS to read 80
But guess what I tell everyone the boat will run 80 in the right conditions
Lol

How did the boat handle at "80"

Loose as he!!... To run a 27 at 80, water conditions have to be just right. My 27 runs great in the rivers off the Chesapeake bay... About 1 foot to 1 1/2 of nice chop.
The boat does feel loose at those speeds...
Fact is 27 foot boat can only go so fast "safely" it's not the same as when a bigger boat runs 80...

My 98 27 Fountain has a built 496 Stroker... With a 23p Mirage prop I am running 73 on gps. I am hoping for a 26/27p will put me close to 80. I run on Lake superior and at 70mph the boat loves to fly if it can but it smooth and feels good... I have heard of guys getting 27's up to 90+mph and they handle it just fine. It really comes down to driver experience and how much you like the passengers you have on board :)

I can guarantee you until I feel comfortable running that boat at 80 I will be the only one in the boat. Well maybe one other guy but he would insist on it. I drove a 25 foot cat to 86 this weekend. Thats the smallest, fastest boat I have driven. I know a cat and a V are two different animals but the size didn't seem to bother me. I think i would have felt safer in my Fountain but I never once felt uneasy. I think its just becuase I have more seat time in the Fountain.

I too have heard of 90+ 27's but never have seen one. I personally think that is asking for trouble but i could be wrong.

Oh and....

:hijack::hijack::hijack::hijack::hijack::hijack::h ijack::hijack::hijack::hijack::hijack::hijack::hij ack::hijack:

Sorry

I have had a bunch of different people in the boat and I was the only one who enjoyed 70mph. No woman I have ever had in the boat enjoyed anything over 45mph. I have thought about a big motor for mine but, the boat is turn key and long lived at 70mph and I decided to leave it like that. There is also the drive issue. The boat only has a 60 gallon tank. A big motor will have you going to fill it up a lot more often which is a pain.

As far 90mph's 27's yes with engine technology, some drive work the right prop... And a knowledgeable driver not a problem...
The problem is the water... Need right water conditions to run a 27 @ 90mph
Only under perfect conditions & the right people in my boat... It's about the only time I get to open my boat up these days...
Lets face it the only time another boat roll up next to you, and both of the boats start leaning on the throttles
Is NEVER when it's just me and my buddy with 1/4 tank of fuel
Lol
I always have 5 to 6 people and full tank (full cooler) and my girl screaming at me to slow down and stop driving like a ...
Well you know

Sorry about the tread being high jacked

If you want your new toy to run a little faster... Then right around 70
Your going to need more power!

I think real world conditions should always be considered. A. Im not sure why anyone would ever leave the dock with 1/4 tank of fuel, especially with how in accurate the fuel gauges can be on boats. B. Who the hell boats alone!!!! I always have 4+ people on my boat every time I take it out. C. The water is going to dictate to a 27 foot performance boat how fast it will be going. Flat calm im sure there are many, many 27 fevers that will do 80 mph. In 3-4 footers unless you enjoy breaking drives and slamming into the rough water then you wont be going 80. I have never personally rode in a 27 fever but as a fountain owner I am sure they flat out fly. .

My fuel gauge shows full until a 1/4 full and then it shows half a tank. If the needle bounces it is time to get gas. My boat is on a large fresh water lake, Lake Lanier. If I really wanted to go very fast very often I would start with a 35 not a 27. If the boat gets loose at 90 and hooks a turn you and your passengers could end up dead. I don't think a 27 is the right boat to go 90 in. Even under perfect conditions you could always hit a boat wake.

In all honesty I think there is more of a chance of spinning a big fountain that a 27 any day. I am happy with the way this boat runs so far for sure. I will be blue printing the bottom over the winter and doing some minor mods and am shooting for 72mph in the spring. Hard work pays off and I believe my goal will be achieved. Then we will be putting in a 525 and shooting for 80mph!!!!

90 in a 27 would be a ride you would have to handle, drive. Hell my 32 is light at 70. We all have the addiction, need for speed. If thats your goal, slap some power to it or add a box and shorty, learn the boat more. Be safe, only take those risks with your self or maybe another person on the boat in the right conditions. I am personally happy that we didn't put the 750's in this 32, it would be more then a handfull. Like everyone else has said, 66-68 is about right, you have a GOOD RELIABLE boat. Little Reggie how in the hell you boat with that many people on your boat LOL. I would go insane, there are no room on these damn things. Hahahaha

John jr

Let me just be clear... I said with enough money, and the technology out there you can do about any thing to a boat now a days (90+) lol
I'm not... And have no desire to go that fast in a 27...
I have good power in my boat and run 1 size smaller prop than I should. For a couple of reasons
The drive .... Put a big wheel on it torque it up, with big HP and watch the fire works
Speed... Keep me in check ...

As far as 6 people on littlereggie ... I put 3 girls in the back seat, 1 in pass seat (one standing in the middle) ***sorry about your luck ***
I don't go car with 6 people ... Just around the corner and hang out on a island alll day, that means get off the boat and get in the water lol

I think if you got a 27 and top speed is between 70-75mph your doing goooooood!

Jimmy Valakos 27 foot fountain (Grand rapids area Mi) runs 97-99 mph with a normally aspirated motor, I don't know if he ever comes on here but he is a renowned head porter, even has a special dart casting done for him for marine use so I have to imagine he's making some hp, he's a nice enough guy to talk to. I can tell you it has a extension box on it and he has remounted his trim tabs square to the water. He has built quite a few race motors professionally and has been in the boat scene for quite a while so he probably got a few hull tuning tips from the right people. His website is half ass but here is a link:
http://valakoraceheads.com/index.html
When my Baja only ran high 89-91 mph I was racing a guy and had him blow past both of us with a good 10 mph on us at Hot boat weekend , FWIW, Smitty
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/members/jimv.html

He has a YouTube video...
Scary ride at that speed ...

what is the youtube link?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_8c5tyH9VE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOPeG1PxpZM

That guy is driving the he!! Outa that boat

We didn't even mention that when you start running big HP & torque you need Hydr steering

I have never seen the videos and can't open them here at work BUT he does have a fast 27! What kinda speed did the videos show, I haven't talked to him in 2 years, don't know what the fountain has under the hatch these days, last I saw it he had a tunnel ram with twin efi throttle bodys and my guess would be something in the high 500 cu inch size (598 etc), Smitty