There is a huge difference between....
 

the pleasure motors and race motors. The pleasure motors weren't engineered or sorted very well before being released to the public.
Timing was wrong as well. A 550 lb O/B in the early/mid '80's was a pig by most standards. Few boats designed for them and the ones that could handle one either weren't as fast as everyone expected or were heavy turds and ran good but not what the public expected. That weight is also now common in the 4 stroke market.
Add to that, dealers that had no clue how to work on them and often made them worse. The early ones were 3.6 liter and the laters were 4.0 and the 3.6's would run away and hide from a 4.0.
Monty is building 400+ HP motors that are bullet proof and run on pump fuel. He is building three right now for a customers center console to go after Fountains unofficial record of I think 83.

A twin pinion gear case means that the main drive shaft splits and drives two drive/input shafts in the gear case so you have two shafts/pinions driving the prop shaft instead of one as in a traditional unit. Only way for one to live w/high HP.
Speedmaster I/O units are this way.

Here is a friends race version of the 8. 390 - 400 HP's at about 350 lbs on carburetors. The later version were EFI and stronger yet. One of the very few race motors OMC did right. Started w/a clean sheet of paper and everything was specific to these motors.
The boat this motor is on ran 141 on radar 20 yrs ago when most O/B's needed nitrous to get into the 120's.
I've ridden in it (on the gas tank) and it is evil!

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...s/DSCF0017.jpg

Yep.
 

There was a guy w/a twin V-8 32' Skater w/a pair of them. From what I read he had no luck w/them and replacement parts didn't exist.
I run VRO's on all my junk except the full race motors. I had a 225 on a STV that I turned 73-7700 every time out w/the VRO intact.
I've rebuilt/sold probably 20 V-6's in the last few yrs and had twice that many apart. I buy all the blown up units I can find. I have yet to see one that came apart due to a faulty VRO.

I agree. There was a 32' Skater on Lake Winnipesaukee with Second Efforts and twin pinions, owned by hotel giant. I can not remember the chain though.

30 Velocity
 

Aqua Banshee. If you ended up with the boat from Bill its me you spoke to this summer. I can tell you everything you want to know.

Good luck with the project. Made the boat light. Can share ideas I had on rigging. Boat should be fast. I'd love to see it when its done.

Scott 608 347 0027

Shaun, I remember that boat too. Used to be on a lift near Halls. It had a radar arch and he idled by the village, usually with a handful of girls leaning on the arch. I might have a pic somewhere. Doubt I could find it right now.

Bill......
 

Marriott.
Some times I amaze myself at the amount of useless information I retain. Now, what I had for dinner last night.....

Yes. That's it.

Great, Yeah got it home and unloaded. I am glade Bill talked me into the trailer. I wanted to go cheap out of pocket, but the trailer is top notch. It Will be a while before I get on it. I have 2 car projects, and another boat to finish up first.

Mark

I remember seeing a boat like this when we lived up there. Wondering if it was yours. I think we were at Castle Harbor just outside of Kent Narrows... Been a long time and a bunch of Miller Lites since then so memory might be a little shaky. :lolhit: It would have been in the early to mid 90's.

Can't wait to see pics. ;)

And emphasis on the "+" when it comes to his race motors. I heard some numbers on Ray's motor and it's well north of 400... :evilb: :evilb: :evilb:

85 30 Velo Twin OB
 

Aqua Banshee,

I looked but did not save your number from our last call. Leave me a message at 608 347 0027 or send me an email at [email protected]. I have a couple of small parts you may want.

Scott

Yep.
 

I'm talking more of the recreational stuff. Specifically going on the guys triple engine center console.

Scott, still kicking myself for not grabbing your boat. About a yr off on timing. Of course :helmet:

Perfect.
 

I'll buy it from you in a year when your wife gets sick of it sitting in her garden :lolhit:

BTW, I saw really good pictures of that trailer. That was way smart on your part.
Congrats again. Love that thing.

Most likely it was me if it had the V-8s on it.

Twin O/B vee tread
 

Hi,

Between 2006 and 2011 I ran twin Merc 2.5 EFI SS engines (with Brucato SVS's) on my ol Phantom 25 from UK. I see now see that different props would have made it faster. The boat ran 87-88 mph on a good day spinning Mirage Plus props. With 4bl round air Hydromotive the accelleration was unbelievable. On plane in 1 second and from 47 mph to 70 mph in 2,5 seconds. Unfortunately the service, gas and oil prices in Norway forced me to sell them and buy a single engine. The new engine is a Verado 350sci - and its the best engine I ever owned. Now the boat is not that fast (82 mph) but its 1/4 of the costs and warranty too. However, I miss the sound from the 2.5! Sounded like a helicopter :)

Cheeers, Toffen

She has a cruiser now, Garden yeah right.

Would like to post pics of my new to me 28 Manta Sport Deck twin outboards on a stainless marine bracket. Not sure how. Upgrade membership?

1984 Manta 28 Sport Deck

Nice!!

Awesome thread. I've been watching it itching to post. But I had to run mine first before I posted pics. :o First OS boat...

'93 23' Howard. Twin 245s.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSCN3925.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSCN3916.jpg

I hope to take it out next weekend, even though it will be pretty chilly.... I need to stretch its legs out and break 90!!! :)

That Howard is awesome. That is Tux974's old boat. All his stuff is immaculate.

Nice. Looks fast sitting still

It sure is. And it is so clean with 99% original gel and still looks great! Thanks! :)

Gorgeous!
 

Can't wait to see it in person.

Bad Ass Paul!
 

Welcome to the party. PS, congrats on finally getting it wet.

twin step twin ob 27 Activator....

Man' you guys are pulling some good stuff out of your garages. Keep em coming

Glad that Activator is in NJ. Looks like it could eat my lunch. I might need a third 2.4 to strap on the back. Just kidding. Will be looking for some big ole optis is in the future tho. Game changer

Yeah brought her home from FL in the spring. Great boat...my first OB boat and I'm lovin it! That is a sweet Manta you got...love the dark hull with white deck...classic.

Sweet boat. What kind of numbers does it run?

This is my ride now, not exactly a performance boat but it can still go faster than most of the family wants to go! Center consoles have so much to offer when it comes to ease of use and entertaining guests and family. The old MidnightExpress 32 was bigger but had far less usable room in it.

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/.../March2012.jpg

I added a waterline and rub rail stripe, kind of gives it an old(er) school look. I have also since this picture removed the cowling stickers and installed Kiekhaeffer controls
http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/...5-Version2.jpg

Anyone see this on Ebay? JR Custom (sonic) 31 with twin Johnson GT350s. Seems pretty cheap but I really don't know what these boats go for. I'm not in the market yet or I'd be interested.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/31-J-...exp=true#v4-41

Yep.....
 

I've been watching it. Pretty rare boat. First one that size I've seen that was built as an O/B.
Here's another ad for the same boat (before the wrap) listing it as a 31'. Not sure what's going on but appears to be someone trying to flip it. Advertised as near perfect but you can see a hatch bracket hanging down in one picture and it looks like speaker grills missing. Motors advertised as solid but they all are and w/it starting in Miami I'd be nervous. Nice cabin too.
I like it though.
http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/boa/3385112493.html

I looked for a Sonic 30 with outboards for a long time. That 2002 cabin pics makes it look more 1980s than 2002.

Seems decent but the power is a little too old for me. What year were those engines made last?

Finally on the water!! Still have much to do!!

Wow, I didn't catch that.
 

No way it's an '02. I'd say mid '80's like my 24'. They're listing it as a J&R though and I don't know the Sonic history very well other than Jay Ross (J&R) started it and have seen the older boats listed both ways. I'm thinking my old '82 24' O/B had a dash plate saying J&R and my '85 does not.

Turbo, they stopped building the V-8's in the late '90's. Pro's are, they're nearly freagin bullet proof, cheap as dirt, easy to work on and the most under developed O/B ever built. You can easily get one to 400+ HP's on pump gas which is pretty good for 550lbs total and a few grand.
The con is, they really like gas and the L/U's are fragile. If I had the budget, I'd be looking seriously at this thing.
Just as an example on the motors (for spare parts), I know of two for sale in Miami right now for less than a grand a piece and both run!
Be serious wow factor pulling in somewhere w/two of those monster on the back.
From what I see, it looks like the typical offshore boat on it's last leg. Previous owners spend all their time/money on loud stereos and making it look pretty and zero effort towards rigging and mechanicals.

Awesome stuff Dude!
 

Can't wait to see it in person.

I don't have any photos, but when I was a kid there was a 33' Sonic SS (I believe) with four 2.4s that ran around on the Cape for a few years. He had a lot of trouble with powerheads blowing, but it was fast (for the time).