Ilmor 570-Powered Formula 353 Tops 85 mph
 

This just in, http://speedonthewater.com/new-boats...ps-85-mph.html.

As noted at the end of the article, the boat will be on display at the Desert Storm Street Party next Thursday.

Nice numbers for sure. Makes me wonder what's going on with the Merc 565 boat, though. That boat was built months before the Ilmor boat and has been shrouded in secrecy ever since. Ilmor didn't seem to mind the numbers coming out on their project right away, even when they weren't happy with them. Nothing at all from the 565 boat. Hmmm....

LS-based engines will soon lead the pack in mid-power performance applications.

Formula's Scott Porter assured me this morning that they are indeed working on the Mercury Racing 565-powered 353. I think the Ilmor MV8 570-powered 35-footer leapfrogged it simply because the project was a "first" for both companies. Mr. Porter did not say that, but that's my best guess.

They are working on the Mercury 565 boat as I write this. Speedonthewater.com will bring you the story on that boat as soon as the folks at Formula are done with their testing and ready to talk about it.

Thanks for the update Matt! Those are impressive numbers.

My pleasure. You're welcome.

And I agree. From the 81 mph we saw the day before the Miami Boat Show to 85 mph now is impressive.

The Ilmor 570/353 is getting a lot of press at Desert Storm. Looks like it's serving as a paceboat.

The Mercury 565 boat is....hmmm...?