Any recommendations on a big single V
 

Hey guys, been lurking for months, great site! I'll be in the market for a used boat this summer (building a house now so it can't be sooner) and leaning towards a larger single v-bottom. My plan is to install big twin turbo power with a speedmaster drive. My question is what v-bottom can take big power/mph AND be relatively stable? I want a 110 - 120 mph capable hull but would sacrifice some speed for stability. I'm freshwater only so it's only 1' chop max, depending on traffic. My plans can and have changed so I'm not dead set on single power.... Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks guys! Tracy

Are you dead set on a V bottom? With only a 1-2' chop on a lake I think smaller cat all the way and it will easily exceed your speed goals. It will still have some room too. 26-28' single engine cat with that engine with a SCX or equivalent drive would be the tits. RPM redline maybe or maybe one of the new raptor cats? I heard they'll sell them in different stages of completion and you could have it rigged how you'd like instead of trying to change tons of stuff. I can't say of the quality as I don't have any real world experience with either brand.

Not to be a hater but do you have water cooled turbo exhaust manifolds or know where to get them? Did you even know that is something you need?

Activator

Progression

Didnt challenger make a 28? To get a large single V to that speed will definitely require big power.

velocity vr1

I been real fast in my 27 activator . Handles realy well

Checkmate 300. There is a member on this site (Check300) that had one running a single engine with twin turbos. Would run somewhere around 120 mph. Also was running a Merc. #6 drive. Read this thread. (Any big number Checkmates out there ???)

Awesome guys! I'll start researching those brands. I would love a small cat but i've read the insurance is brutal.....! But maybe it would still be worth it though, lol. I'll update with info as i go, thanks! T

Outerlimits 29SV is supposed to run right at 100 with a 600/Bravo XR setup. I would assume with a big power twin turbo setup and a stout drive it should easily hit the number you're shooting for. Ofcourse, you also didn't list a budget, and if you're buying new, this one might bust any budget you might have.

A small V that runs 100+ will probably have some expensive insurance as well!

Sunsation made some 32 Dominators with singles. Ive been mid 90's in a twin big block Dominator, on river chop it handled fine at those speeds.

Superboat Y2K (30'), Never been in or around one but have heard the handle well.

I 2nd the OL 29SV if you have unlimited budget.

John

+1 on Superboat y2k... stepped hull, super light weight, comfortable sit down design. a buddy of mine has one with a mild pump gas 572 that does mid 90's, throw boost at it and get upwards of 1000hp and you will Definately be hitting your speed goals. Those boats are F**kin sexy too!!!!

Vector 28... would be capable of running in 6 footers if you ever choose to later as well. :-)

30 Phantom is also a good choice. Mine ran 80 with a bone stock carbed hp500. There was one running around with 850hp that went 113. Might want to look at a RAGE also.

Very Impressive boat!!

Couple more things i should have mentioned..... A new OL is way out of my range although it is a really sick boat!! I guess my budget would be $40k - $75kish for a used boat. It would just depend on the right fit. I also prefer a stand up boat but will definitely consider a cool sit down. Thanks again for all the info! T

The Checkmate is a Stand-up boat that will fit your budget. Also has a nice size cabin.

Kunkel's Auto & Marine in Ohio has also built a 300 Checkmate Convincor with a procharged 572 and Imco drive that is running around that 120 MPH speed also. Beautiful boat in person! Check300's boat was amazing as well!

28 Evo with foam core and Bravo 1 will run 100+ with a merc 600 or an ilmor 710.

Can be had with open canopy or electric actuated canopy.

- all the used ones are in Germany though, and new ones are expensive.

UD

There are also some west coast boats that run (really) well with big power but for you're stated budget I'm thinking Checkmate as well; some of the Checkmate guys run impressive numbers and there's enough doing it that you can probably get some help with the setup.

I'm not an insurance guru, but if you have a clean record and some boating experience you can get insured but it's not cheap. If I understand correctly the meter really starts when you get into that 80+ category and really bounces when you hit the 120+ category (with I/O's or OB's - V-drive is an entirely different animal and I believe there is a premium for Arneson as well) All thing being equal I've been told Cats are more expensive than V's.

The only insurance advice I can give is tell them exactly what you have. You don't need insurance until you "need" insurance - if that makes sense - and if you have a claim and your'e driving something other than what you've described they aren't going to cover you.

Good luck with your search

d

28 Howard.

Ran with a RAGE going into NYC on fun run impressive boat. Running up in the front of the pack!

30 Rage, 30 Superboat or 30 Phantom. All can be rigged anyway you want and much less $ than an Outerlimits.

there was a single engine newer 32 velocity with a single engine (i think a #5 or 6 ssm) for sale not to long ago. i don't think it had a motor in it either, not sure. velocity has one of the fastest non step bottoms if not the fastest. it will outrun some step hull boats with the same power too. with your speed goals, ssm drive and $ requirements, i think this is a perfect platform for you, just have to find the boat now. i haven't seen it for a while but i'm sure it's still out there, not an easy sell with a single 32 ft boat. that being said, you may be able to get a screaming deal. good luck

$75k? I'd be looking at a single cat w less power than a v.
Boil has a 30 cat for sale. A pair of new 400s would be a bit more $ but you'd be close speed wise and dependable power vs twin turbo bbc

I've combed the classifieds on this site and found some nice boats!! Since i'm just kicking tires for the next few months, what are some other web sites to look for this type of boat? I really appreciate everyone's input!! T

I have a 26 Ft Checkmate with procharged 572 efi for sale. Runs high 90s.

I would consider a mid 2000's 29 ft fountain. It has a stepped/ notched bottom for speed and stability, electric bolster seats that you can drop out for standing, hydraulic steering which will be a must. I would think you could have one with a 525 between 50k-70k, add a whipple which done right is 10-12k. I would think this setup would get you close to triple digits. Does anyone have this setup that can chime in?

Smokey mountain outer limits is for sale:thankyouthankyou:

someone was saying if he is going to be in more than 1-2' chop he should get a single cat? but i was told they beat up on you with the center back sponson when it is rough? it would just be even worse. i could be wrong but it sounded like it would make sense. i really like the phantom. i have meet will and he builds some quality product. something you can hold onto for a while

This is pretty much it! There are some others - like boattrader.com and boats.com, although they don't specialize in go-fast types. And powerboatlistings.com is fun to look at. When I was in the market a few years ago though, almost every boat I called on from there had been sold long before but not updated on the site.

Good luck on your search!

Pick out a few names and try oodle. Com , you can search an area or nationwide. Good luck

The OP said he was boating on a lake that rarely sees a 1' chop in which I replied that if he is only boating in a 1-2' chop that a single cat would be the way to go.

With that being said most of the fast single engine V bottoms are all sit down boats. The velocity and the 30' checkmate would be the exception.

The 32' single velocity that was for sale actually had the drive ripped off and took on considerable water for what it's worth. Not saying it sunk but it was beached to prevent sinking.

Checking out a few of the recommended boats.... Several really cool boats that are on the shortlist are Y2K, checkmate 300, activator, sensation, challenger and velocity. Lots of cool stuff! Yes on some of the other classified sites I went on.....The ads were so old, kind of aggravating so i'll stick to the classifieds here, lol. If the cat insurance wasn't so expensive, It would definitely be an option. Thanks!

You probably know this but Activator and Rage are really the same hull. Both designed by Mark Schnepf, Rage is the new company. Older Activator molds are in Sweden now, 'Mange' on this site has them. Oh, and the avitar is my 32' Activator with a #6 and one blown BBC in it.

Look at the howard as mentioned before. The Eliminator Eagle series are very good and fast boats. I had a 25 that ran and handled very well. The 25 is smaller, I would recommend the 28 or 30. I know OCM has a very nice 30 for 58K with twin 502 Mags Look at powerboatlistings.com

Although I think the Activator/Rage is the best big water boat ever. They handle like crap in flat water at least the two I've been in. If I only had a foot of chop at most to boat in it wouldn't be my first choice of boat.

Can you post some pics of your boat?