88Fount33

I went the upgrade process, after spending 10 years setting up my boat with some really nice features, I didn't want to have to start over on a newer boat just to do it all over again, for just an additional 5 feet in length as 35 is the longest I could comfortably use in my canal with backing out and turning around with docks and boats on both sides. Now if the wood in the hull was bad, then no way. Canal is 77 ft wide with 17.5 wide docks on both sides making actual clearance just 42 feet, not too bad for a 35 but starts getting tight for anything longer, specially when the wind kicks up and there are just the two of us on the boat.

indysupra

iTrader: (3)

My personal experience is I wouldn't dump the money into it. I often regret going crazy with mine two winters ago instead of just getting a newer stepped hull.

92nsx

I wouldnt stick all that money in my 1990 baja, and i wouldn't recommend you put it into a 250 es. 70's is good speed for that hull, unfortunately we have dinosaur boats.

Low buck boats like ours has a market,(lets say 8-10K) but there is no market for our old hulls/design with huge power, upgrades along with huge for sale price (lets say 18-20K). You stick 10k into it and you wont get any of that $$$$ back out of it.

Try the shorty on for size since you already have it. Save up $$$$$ and get a new more efficent hull with the upgrades you want to do already on the boat.

Pensky

I'm leaning that way. Plus I can't get any cosmetic parts this old baja.

Pensky

I'm fixing the steering and putting 502 back in her and keeping her. Always wanted two boats. All you guys and gals what's a good solid 90 mph hull???
Thank you all for your thoughts.
Pensky

272lsformula

iTrader: (1)

280 velocity but I may be partial. Lol

32fever

I had a 1990 and always liked it. I'd ask myself the following questions if I was in your position:
1) Do I want a 27' boat or will I want to get a larger boat someday? If 27 is enough size for where you boat and your style, I'd think upgrade.
2) Are you then okay with keeping the boat a long, long time? Throwing a 700-800 hp setup in that boat will cost money. You'll want to keep it, boat, and enjoy it to get your value. And when you go to sell, it will be harder to sell over a 454 mag or 502 stock boat for the average person who wants reliability.
3) Have you talked to anyone who has put big power in that hull? How does it handle? Will it be safe and stable at the speeds you want?

92nsx

32Fever, I have yet to meet a person with big power in one of these hulls.

Only info i really found with our hulls was on man-of-war's and he had a 265 force and if i remeber correctly he was in the high 60's to low 70's in his boat.

454 mag EFI, had headers and tails, full dyno tune with o2 feed back, labbed prop, normal go fast things that picked up some speed. The largest gain he said was from Blueprinting the hull and cutting the center lifting strikes back 4 foot from the transom. that neted like 8 mph IIRC.

Pensky

With my stock 502 60 mph 63 on a good day. I put a 540 in mine added about 200 more HP and only got 70 mph on a good day. I think the biggest problem with these boat are the outdrive are to deep in the water. 8 " below keel. I don't think anyone one could get 70mph with a 454??? I have a -2 Imco I'm putting on this winter along with hydraulic steering if I can't get 75mph all day long then I will put the 502 back in and let my daughter have it. Thanks

92nsx

Man-of-war I also want to say he raised the X dimension. I think his build thread was on speedwake.com.

Most of his posts are deleated but thumbing threw one can get the jist. His photos can still be found on his photobucket account. I talked to him threw PM on once.

http://www.speedwake.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48343

https://www.google.com/#q=man+of+war+265+baja

http://s132.photobucket.com/user/spe...82965875550928