There is almost too much hook to glass out. I believe it counteracts how stern heavy these boats are and could have some very negative effects removing it. It's going to take 500-550hp a side to break 80

Good deal. Nice Lookin boat.

Interesting. Curious if anyone has taken the hook out of one. Wonder if small blocks had same hook as big blocks.

Don't waste your time or money on the hook. There have been guys that have removed it and it made no difference on the top end and made the boat worse at cruise. With my old 242 at WOT the hook would be no where near the water. I believe it was Mopower that has/had a 272 that would run close to 80 but he had 600 hp per side.

As far as props go, my guess is that you're going to need to spin 23's. I'm sure the 23's were the stock props not 25's. The one thing I've learned on all of my Formula builds is that when you build the engine- in order to make more power you have to spin the engine harder, and it always seem mean sticking with the stock pitch prop.

I'm curious what kind of speeds your going to get, my guess is around 72 MPH.

Hi James,

I had the honor to share lunch with sprink58 (John) today and he mentioned to me same thing, not to mess with it,the hook at higher speeds, when most of the boat is out of the water won't have any effect.

I'm thinking that with 400 lbs of weight savings SBC vs BBC along with 800+ horsepower/900 ft. lbs of torque in the water with props that are "Dead Balls On", 80 MPH in an old school hull 272 is a possibility. The ideal conditions will be in salt water, calm wind with a 2' chop...2 aboard for balance.

Occupants WILL HAVE flotation vests and the kill lanyard will be functional and in use.

I think we may see this theory put to the test with a certain '89 272 SR1 after the Holidays...We may also see it put to the test in a certain 255 Liberator about the same time.

John are you hitting the formula kool aid???? Lol I don't think 80 but I do see the boats running very well. Stock big block 272's came with 25 mirage props and the small blocks came with 23's. The 23's worked very well on that boat but was hitting 5100 loaded. I only used it once with the 25's the day Diego came to get it.

Well....maybe...but what do you think is the limiting factor? My old 272 with 320 EFI's and Alpha SS drives turnig 23" cleavers and 6000 engine RPM would hit 75 pitot speedometer. Based on that I'm thinking same hull withe 200 more horsepower could spin 25 Bravo's or Mirage props fast enough to squeeze 80.

In theory...?

Ill be putting it to the test. I'm a lil further out as I'm doing cosmetics first. But imma try for 80!! Lol

Go for it!!!