A 30' cat- is still better off with 300xs'. Its a reliable package with good speed. Yes a 28' is 7-10mph faster but thats in dead flat water. All that bs of inboards in nothing but a headache for the extra mph. Its not a big enough boat to justfiy the price on inboards.

Good luck with your project but what did Predator do to the AMT mold to get a 30ft pleasure cat running as fast as a 28 Skater with the same power? The 30ft AMT's did not run anywhere close to 118 with 300X's.

Wahoo racing had a 30 amt that hit 118mph on either 280 or 300 outboards. I'll try to find a link for you

yep, had that boat deep in the teens several times with 280's. Deans was a very light kilo boat to be honest, if i remember correctly we were several hunderd pounds below SS Cat min weight (like three hundred ). Great hull and i always thought it would be awesome with a pair of hot LS small blocks and Arnesons, maybe fix 'em and stick a rudder on it. That 30 AMT was one fun boat to race. Fast and ran rough water well. I believe the were like 105 with 300's though, lower propshaft speed over the 2.5's. In the fastest mph setup Dean had that thing had zero acceleration, it was a slug.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4AcTX6PbEQ&sns=em

30' Skater inboard video...................150+mph w/Sterling 750's

Dave, I agree with you on the ls small blocks and arnesons, what a sweet package, will be fun putting one together with this package

AMEN!

Funny how all the experts disagree with you, but nobody but you seems to have empirical, in-hull data to back up their claims.

To the OP, I can't wait to follow your build

what about the cadilac small block with the blower? i think they only cost in the 13k range for ski boats

I heard about a guy in North Palm Beach that had set a pair of LSA's in a 34' Sea Ray Express Cruiser in place of a pair of 330 HP 454's. I was over at North Palm Beach Marina one day and spotted an extra clean '80's era 34 EC at the gas dock with a crowd gathered around it. I walked over and the hatches were open so I had a look.

This was the boat. The LSA's looked like a pair of lawn mower engines in a 12' beam boat!! The owner said he saved 600 lbs of weight...picked up 300 Ft Lbs of torque and close to 500 horse power....said the boat would run 36 MPH tops with the 454's and about 55 with the new power. It will plane at 20 and cruise at 40~45. He claims 2/3 the fuel usage with the re-power.

I didn't ask how much...I'm guessing $35~$40K A~Z.....fresh water cooled of course with HD Hurth Trannys. Very professional looking job. With the Kohler 6KW Gen Set and a full fuel load the water line is about 6" higher than original.

So if your cruising around between Jupiter Inlet and Peanut Island and you spot a 14000 lb 34' Sea Ray EC with a sharp blue Awlgrip paint job...try to get a look. You might have to run 60 to get a good look!!