Thunder or BLUNDER Struck??
 

Did anyone read the new Powerboat Magazine article on the 37' Active Thunder? Sure sounds a little odd that at any speed over 80 the boat starts to porpoise and requires "quite a bit of driving skill"

In an age when the speeds are creeping up on all "pleasure" boats, I would think that there is an issue with the design of any boat that gets to be a hand-full at just over 80...

Is John Q Public, who just paid $370k, really going to be able to handle this boat even at moderate speeds??

Going fast is great, but doing it in a safely designed boat is even better!

Just my .02

80-90 in any boat requires skills- I think they were running the boat at 80 without tabs, there statment makes me think that you need to drive with the tabs level or down a little, at the higher speeds for stability.

just the way I took it

I didn't read the article thoroughly yet but the boat they tested is privately owned and has alot of mods. It seems that it is not dialed in correctly/has the wrong mix of drive heights/props etc.

What it does show is that if you want to venture into the 80 plus mph realm then you better either know how to set it up yourself or pay someone that does so that you can ENJOY it while driving instead a strapping yourself to a wild horse everytime you go out.

I'm no expert but I would definitely not enjoy a boat that porpoises at that speed for sure!!!

The article is incorrect !!!
 

The boat does not porpoise at any speed.

The article was very disapointng to me as a 37 AT owner. All the reasons we purchased the boat, the ride, efficiency, rough water capability, top notch materials and components, build quality (and the list goes on and on) were not mentioned in the aritcle.

We looked at and drove many boats before our AT purchase including, Fountain, Formula, Powerquest and Sonic, and none of them came close in ride quality, efficiency (speed for the horsepower) and driveability. Not to mention the other attributes of the 37 AVH.

No sour grapes here, just disapointment. If you are seriously interested in a 38 foot boat, you owe it to yourself to go for a ride in an AT before you make a purchase.

The aritcle is just plain wrong.

I highly doubt that the professionals who wrote the article are wrong...They just told it like it was..

Re: The article is incorrect !!!
 

I'm in complete agreement with h2o- this has to be one of the worst written articles on a boat test they have ever done, and I've been a subscriber for nearly 20 years.
Their are no mentions of the great attributes of this Harry Shoell-designed boat, including its ability to plane and run on one engine/drive. Or the fact it has none of the nasty traits normally found with many step-boats made by other mfg's. Their wasn't a single pic of what is one of the classiest interiors in boating today.
Even worse, an assessment of a rough water boat done in 6" waves? We the consumer are owed much more. They should wait a day or two to do the test if it's too damn calm.
Test and article were completely botched by Powerboat Magazine.
The 37AVH is a truly incredible boat.

"nasty traits normally found with many step-boats made by other mfg's"

what are those traits?... and who are the mfg's??

I agree with H20 and Jafo, The boat rides great just ask the guys who have had them awhile(Mark House) I think somebody has a beef with Harry or Pat because it was a bogus. The detail work, the interior the rigging was glazed over

Sounds like you need to go for a ride. I bet Thunder Dan, who lives in the Noth East, can oblige if your interested. You are invited for a ride with me. but my boat only runs mid 80's. Dan's will run over 100.

When he and Jassman read this you can bet they will have comments:eek: :D

Hmmmmm.

I haven't seen the article and our 37 Active Thunder with 496HOs won't run 80.
But our boat will plane in the teens (mph) with zero bowrise, runs rock solid, level, and no porpoise.
Overall we are extremely please with our boat.

"Monsoon"

hebert...I don't even know who Harry and Pat are..

H20...Can I bring my helmet for that test ride??

SPWilson....Thanks for the email

Waterspeed, Harry designed the bottom, Pat Owns Active Thunder and I don't think anyone has a beef with them but can't understand the report?

Steve Hmmm?

come on mr wilson....no hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm unleash the fury that awaits please let it rip I got a industrial size popcorn maker

Sling, c'mon, what could i possible tell ya? I designed the paint, i sold the boat, and the owner is a true offshore enthusiast and a nice guy.

Maybe someone pissed someone off at the Magazine. The problem I have always noticed in mags are they really never say a boat is a piece of %#*^ or a disaster. So this surprises me to start with. I have not read the article yet but my questions would be:
1) Did the test driver know how a Harry Schoell DDC hull is suppose to ride..They are different from straight V's and different from multi steps(nose goes up or acrooss top of wave or chop then back surfs down wave and over and over...
2) If I remember Pat like to mount drives high..then at Lake-X they put short sport drives on... reminds me how bravo mounted in TRS holes handled on a cig I was driving
I have driven Infinity's and several stepped 37 A.T.and have no complaints and I ran "I-Lean" in 4'-5' sea at never below 75 mph for 20 minutes and was never scared or backed off.

I may get my tail flamed off here, but I own a 32 AT, and when I was talking to someone about this 37AVH hull, and how they are performing at these speeds. I was told that it may not be the best idea to put this much power into one of these. The boats were designed for lower power and are now out of their original design spec, with this in mind I wouldn't know if I want that much power in that boat. They are great with HP500's etc, but this may just be too much speed for the boat. Remember AT is just stepping into the 100MPH production boat, they may have some issues to work out.

Coddigtion..

you guys crack me up...you bash Powerboat for not performing valid tests or saying something bad about a boat and when they finally have something bad to say, you bash them again...

damned if ya do, damned if ya don't...
(he types while he wears his free Powerboat T-shirt :D:D:D )

What power is in ThunderStruck?

at= all talk..........................I couldnt resist...come on dan let me have it I someone will yap seems like something is up, first thing I heard bad about at

None of the new 37's are named "ThunderStruck", although there is a 32 by that name.

The newest 37s are:

1. ThunderStorm, KE 675s
2. RadioActive, KE 675s
3. ThunderEnlightening, HP 500s
4. Whatever, 496HOs
5. Turbulence, HP500s
6. Monsoon, 496HOs

Does anyone know if there has ever been two identical power and drive 37' A.T. step bottoms? I mean 500 hp efi's and bravo drive(no boxes x-deminsions the same etc.) As I said above , thehull works for me and I always though give me more power..But after thinking about it, Coddington could be right..BUT then there are people other than the owner that have ridden in this boat,RIGHT?

Ok ...... What power was in the ACTIVE THUNDER tested by Powerboat magazine that THIS thread is refering to.

;)

Maybe the testdriver just had a bad day :D Besides what makes one guy's opinion so great anyway. I would rather here from all AT owners anyway I also read inthat same magazine someone wrote in that they are so tired of the same guy always testing all the boats. I would rather anyday of anyweek have the opinion of the owners of that same boat. NOT some guy who just drove it for a day or for that matter a few blasts

So what...in 1' or less water it needed some tab at WOT, big deal
They said It turns good....maybe he had the drives out too far out looking for the top end number.
A test drivers opinion wouldn't make my mind up on a boat purchase.
I think the 37 with the Merc HP525EFI is a sweet comb.
:cool:

i think there is...it's in houston texas...

The tester was more than likely Bob Teague, could be wrong. I think he has enough experience to critique a boat.

If all boats were tested by owners of the same brand ..... aw, never mind

:rolleyes:

No. 2 Radioactive with KE675s was tested.

Not tested, I would want the owners opinion on the boat. I feel an owner has an all around better knowledge of that exact boat. Not some guy who blasts around on it for a test ride and Whamo knows or claims to know the boat in 1 run. True he knows his **** inside n out about performance. Maybe the testdriver was just pissed he didn't have his motors in it ? Or the company didn't smooch his rear enough :D

What Up Todd? .... I mean What's WAY Up?

G;)

Re: Thunder or BLUNDER Struck??
 

Waterspeed,

Just my .02 [/B][/QUOTE]

Then leave it at that!!! Have you driven an AT? Do you own a boat? Read other articles about any boat that runs over 80 that has a step!

Steps, to much positive trim= poor handling :eureka:

"Steps, to much positive trim= poor handling"


Hey you've driven one:D :D

BTW I meant step NOT brand

Steps, to much positive trim = poor handling
No-steps, to much positive trim = poor handling
Cats, to much positive trim = poor handling

;)

the first step ran anywhere from 83 to 86.. It was here..it was "I-Lean" ...500 carbs ..Reg bravo1's ..then imco short drives ..then back ..3 blades ..4 blades ..half gas ..full gas..no gas..small pitch...big pitch..whata *****...

Sorry I did not respond sooner, but I actually had to do some work today.:D

My take is a simple one. I have the same boat with ke 675's and xr drives. The boat has not porposed at 80-90 mph, at any speed nor is it a handful to drive at these speeds. Someone said it correctly, there were alot of things that could have been influencing the test. Teague said it himself; he could not get the boat to unstuck from the water. With this hull design it likes to have air underneath it. It was literally stuck to the water. This is the exact thing that happened when my boat was being dialed in at the Lake. There was one difference, the person who dialed in my boat knew the boat, the bottom design and had driven it many times. Racer Rick, an experienced offshore racer, dialed my boat in. Rick had to trim the boat positive to help get some air under the hull then trim back it down. He hit 102 mph at Lake X with 2-inch sport master lowers and 34 labbed props at 5100 rpms. I still had 300 rpm’s to go with this setup.

Maybe Teague was trying to get some air under the hull and had too much positive trim causing the boat to porpoise. Give Rick a shout, ask him if he experience proposing at these speeds. The boat did not porpoise nor was it a handful. Does the boat need to be driven at these speeds, absolutely but then again so do most.

A few other things to note, the boat had 2-inch shorties on it, not one inch. I also find it odd how when the boat was tested two out of the four switchable exhausts were not functioning and it was not mentioned. Oh yeah that is right, they were Teague switchables.

As for the comments of spinning out, I think that Teague actual commented on how well the boat handled in slalom turns, actually the boat felt connected at 70 mph.

I know that while Sling has not been in my boat he has seen it running on the Phila poker run, as did many others. There were several times when we were in the 80 plus mph range, I do not recall it proposing? Maybe ask a few of the other boat in AC who happened to get passed in the ocean by my proposing hard to handle boat.

Most of the older 37 avh’s with stock power, are in the mid to upper 80’s, including Mark House who is also an offshore racer. I spoke with a lot of people before I made my purchase, specifically about the way the boat handled at over 80 mph. Not one person mentioned proposing, nor do I think they will now.

Teagues overall assesment is that the boat may need tabs when triple digit speeds approach but it is one sweet ride.

Maybe I will take Treadwell up on his offer to really help me dial the boat in. See what he has to say about the porposing and the handling ability of the boat.

I will try and reach out to racer Rick and ask him to post, as for the article…whatever. I know that the boat handles well and I will see all of you local guys at the poker runs.

Overall I did think that the article was good...



:D

Oh yeah, Racer Rick as I call him is also known as Rick Conti......

Actually, to be fair, i think ThunderDans boat will run around 110mph PLUS if an "experienced" professional would take the time to dial it in. I was in it at 94mph and there was No Porpoise.

TRUE DAN, NEVER IN IT, LOOKED SMOOTH FROM MY "SHOT"

Well guys , I guess its time for me to speak up too.................

I am Mark House and have owed my 37 AVH for two seasons now..

My background : performance boating for 10 plus years
Offshore racing for over three years with numerous wins including World Championship.....

I am not going to knock any other manufactor here , but I have been in just about every boat in the 32 - 40 foot range and attend many poker runs every year , so I know how boats perform in different conditions.
I am very happy with the performance of my boat . I have driven this boat in any condition possible. My boat has NEVER porposied at any speed or water condition . With the stock 500 EFI's the boat will run 85 - 86 mph at any given time , with a top speed of 88.2 ( GPS speeds ) ..
In very rough water this boat is superb ,. I have had this boat in real 5 - 6 foot rollers off the coastline of Miami and I have run it in storm brewed waters on the bay with holes that had to be 8 foot deep. This boat flies more level than any boat I have ever been in and re enters the water beautifully. My wife has even drove this boat in poker runs in 3 - 4 footers at over 75 mph ..
If anyone would like to talk to me about ( real life ) experiances with this boat please feel free to write me at : [email protected] or call me on my cell phone ( 540 ) 840-1555...
Or if you are any where near Virginia , I would love to take you out and show you how it performs , first hand...

Mark House