need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

a freind is looking at a 96 24 ft python 330 hp 454 -167 hrs :rolleyes: bravo for 14 g's on a 01 trailer. whats the scoop on PYTHON , never really heard of them. he is all excited to go buy, wants me to go check it out, need info ,junk or not>>>

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

72,
They are a locally mfg'd boat here on the lake. Seem to hold up purdy well. Yhey also build a 34. Jim Clark is the owner, I can get you a number if you want. If the boat is here I can find out 411 on it if you want.
Robert

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

and # would be great. i don't want to see my friend get burned. i will go look at the boat for him but need a little info to go on first. talked to the dealer and asked for some bilge and drive pics and was told " i can do it in a couple of days". seems a little sketchy to me. if it looks like a good boat i will run it and check out best i can, but i told my friend that he would need a complete survey, i don't want him to buy it on my inspection and have it break or some other problem. that would just lead to him saying " you said it was a good boat" and cause problems. any info is appreciated. eric

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

I have had three of them over the years and did not have a problem with them. I loved mine. I beat that boat over some serious waves and didn't have any cracks show up. They are real solid feeling boats. The hull design seems to be a lot like a pantera 24. It will be like any other boat, just check the transom, floor and any other areas that is cored for water damaged. Sounds like for the money he can't go wrong. He could have a lot of fun out of it for $14000.00

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

The bottom is the exact same as a 24 Pantera and a few others. I have seen one good one and a few not so good ones. Check the stringers, bulkheads and transom real well. They ride well for a 24' boat but the quality of the build is inconsistent.

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

cored with wood or with composites???? i told him if he is serious he will need a survey, to check for moisture, etc. the dealer said it needs a little work. we all know how that goes. so what will be his definition of "a little work". 167 hrs seems real low for a 96. i just don"t want to se him get burned.

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

I had made an offer on a 92 with a 502 mag about 4 or so years ago. As I am fairly far away from Buford GA as well, I had T&B Marine Service 770-945-9278 check the boat out for me. The owner there is Bobby Tucker. I don't know if they are still in business or not. They did find that it had a transom problem so I backed out of the purchase. They appear to be well constructed with some pretty good fit and finish. They are nice boats, and if it checks out I think it's a pretty good price.

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

I have a buddy of mine that has a 24 Vector for sale (same molds, I believe the vector sold to python but not 100% sure). His has a 454 EFI with a bravo. He bought a 28 saber and now wants to sell the vector. He will make a killer deal on it. PM me and I will give you his cell phone number.

Whirly

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

Vector and Python were one company until Jim's partner (who owned Vector) sold his half to Jim and the Vector name was dropped. Some Vector's had a different deck the had a fiberglass fairing instead of a windshield. Other than that it is the same boat built at the same company.

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

don't know if he would drive to MI. but that's a option if this doesn"t work.

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

If you push them above the 75mph mark they chine walk pretty bad

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

ehh, he's a older man with a young son. he won't be going that fast... :)

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

You are correct. That is exactly what Powerboat Mag said when they tested the boat back in the mid-nineties.

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

I don't think that boat should be driven over 75 but I bet it is possible to improve the ride with some adjustments. I would change the X-dim if I were inclined to go 75 mph plus. But I don't think it would be worth the time and money to do it. For what it truly is, it's a damn solid boat. I test drove a vector 24 back in the day and I thought that boat was an awesome 72 mph boat and felt solid as heck. Engine was a 454 merc. I would think if the engine checks out and the glass is tight it would be a very cool, reliable, speed boat and I would imagine getting into one is on the inexpensive side of things as far as this expensive hobby is concerned. Survey is a good idea as long as the surveyor knows what they are doing. GL with whatever the potential buyer decides on doing.

Jim

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

he's just looking to get into boating and is seeking advice and knows i'm into this sport. like the feedback from those who posted. the pic of the boat looks clean. he was looking at a bayliner :eek: i said , big no no :D

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

This is a great thread, I have considered going to a Python, if I cant find the right Pantera in my price range.

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

Open,

The boat is now in Florida (marco island). He bought the boat last year here in Grand Haven then moved south and took the boat with him.

If interested, let me know, He wants out pretty bad.

Whirly

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

I have a 24 python and have for 5 years now. Great boats but do look for moisture in transom mainly because the exhaust sits so low and tends to leak around the tips. I have a gallery on my website of some local pythons at www.cocktail-cove.com I know Jim pretty well and can probably find out more about the boat. I will be in Buford tomorrow and can take a look if you give me the info on it.

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

the boat is in baton rouge la , my neighbor walked over a little while ago and said he will drive up that way and snap pics. gave him a specific list of what to take pics of, if the pics seem worthy i will go up with him and give it a looskie in a week or so. thanks for the offer though. i am going to speculate that the transom is wood and things were not sealed properly???

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

Come on Rick, what is your price range?

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

If they can be found, a 24ft pantera, the one I had ran 90mph, a real drivers boat, 24ft superboat, 23ft maelstrom,24ft excaliber, 24ft switzer, 25ft larson senza

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

Know personaly at high speeds 75+ scarry be prepared

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

Longer tabs can take care of the chine walking

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

I'll let ya know, hopefully by the middle of next month. I know there are a few out there, but I have to take care of house things first.

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

Rick, how about the 24 excaliber owned by Just Once!

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

I have seen a couple of Pythons doing 100+ with no chine walk. The boat just has to be rigged for such speeds. Pythons are a narrow beamed boat which makes it very sensitive to weight distributions. Most 24 footers come with Bennett tabs which need to be replaced with 280 K-planes for 75+ speeds. All in all for the money Pythons can't be beat. If I were back in the 24 footer range, that's exactly what I would buy. One of the best looking boats I ever owned was a solid red Python with white interior. Man I miss that boat.

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

The 24 python is a nice lake boat. I've spent many a day on one that had a 454 with a B&M 250 on it that ran a touch over 80 on the perfect day. Let me tell ya 80 is rolling in a Python.

I know of 1 with a big blower motor that used to be on Lake Hartwell that GPS'd 92 :eek: . I don't want to be on it at 92 in much water.

There are a lot of people who started this addiction with a Python :)

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

The thought has crossed my mind, but I dont even wanna get in talks with anyone, 'til the money is in my account. I really need to sell my boat to be able to do this, I took extra $$ out of the refi to do the roof, and A/C, which I will do over the winter, I guess I could borrow, and put back when mine sells, but I really dont have room for 2 boats.

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

this 1 was junk. he went and looked at it yesterday. rode real hard and put up soaking wet. he didn't even bother taking pics.looking from the pic i originally posted ,it looked decent. told me to much stuff broke on her, he doesn't know much at all and picked up on where the bottom was butchered. drive was alka saltzered. rips ,tears ,etc in the cockpit.stuff missing oilly bilge. thanks to all who responded. he is going to sit back and take his time. i couldn 't stress enough , don't let emotions buy a boat.

thanks again for the info oso brothern... eric

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

Open,

I still have the buddy with the Vector for sale. It has a new cockpit, bravo drive, 454 EFI, fresh paint on the trailer with custom wheels, etc. It's in Florida if your buddy is interested I will pass along his number to you.

Whirly

Re: need power of oso- 1996 python 24ft
 

What is his budget I can ask jim if any are available that he knows of