Are the 80mph claims for these boats GPS or pitot speedo numbers?

80mph claims are just that. From the factory 29's with 500's were 67-68 (I would imagine most guys would call that "70"). The 525 boats were for the most part 70-72 and would be a clear stretch to say 80 even with bloating numbers as we are all sometimes guilty of.

I'm pretty sure all 29's were equipped with GPS speedos. Even with a GPS receiver the number on the dial has a +/- factor which is why another source is a good idea if you think something is off.

The OP is at 68 GPS verified with a stock 525 setup, so he's close but something might be robbing him of a few MPH. Not much but worth looking into.

I was able to hit 73 GPS and radar this weekend with a borrowed labbed 28P prop at the LOTO shootout. There were still a couple MPH left I believe, but I ran out of course. I hit a little side to side chop 2/3s of the way down and then got it setup nice on the pad and GPS started ticking them off 71,72,73, then I got to the finish buoys and had to shut it down.

Also, the truck did great towing the boat back and forth, but will still look for a 3/4 ton to make it easier.

Sounds like the 28 labbed is the one for you! Nice run and rest assured you have the optimum setup now for your boat. The only thing that will get you any faster is more HP.

Keep it stock.

I plan to pull the engine this winter and refresh the top end and pressure test the CMI Headers.

Plan is to keep it stock other than the refresh and plan to do the following this fall/winter.

Fix ignition
replace blowers ( bearings are going out in one of them )
send prop off for repair/ labbed finish
deep clean engine bay
replace thru hull mufflers with thru hull exhaust tips
Normal Maintenance while the engine is out also. ( Impeller, oil, coolant since we have to pull the heads)


Any thing else I should be looking to do while the engine is out of the boat?

Coupler, Gimbal bearing, check the bellows for tears or dry rot, check all the swivel and tilt pins for slop etc.
May be a good time to replace the shift cable since its all apart instead of having to do it later during the next season if it was to go out too...

Keep it stock....pssshhhht....Turn it up! :D

Looked fun out there this weekend. Glad you saw some numbers that made you feel better about the health of your engine.

Stock for now. Eventually will do an upgrade drive and a whipple would be the dream. Baby steps for the time being. Daycare is expensive..

Had some fun yesterday. Going to take the engine to Wisconsin to get the top end rebuilt. I pressure tested the headers and they both tested good. Going to be doing a lot of cleanup and fix several small items in the bilge while the engine is out. Going to take the mufflers off and put some new exhaust tips. Hopefully it is all back together by spring.
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why haul it all the way to WI to do top ends, one of the best cylinder head shops around here in the midwest, I've used them a bunch over the years on 500 and 525 rebuilds