More Speed
01-08-2010 | 11:02 AM
#12
Platinum Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 204
Likes: 2
From: Tampa, FL/Milwaukee WI
Take your HP upgrade cost estimates and add 30% for unknows and reliablity. Then compare that to the cost to trade up to a faster boat. The whole speed thing never stops until you run out of $. Be careful because you may never be happy.
01-13-2010 | 07:54 AM
#15
Thread Starter
Frank's Marine Service
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 11,959
Likes: 142
From: Elkton, MD
My old boat in the background, your boat in the foreground.
Your boat, notice twin towers in the background.
01-13-2010 | 11:03 AM
#16
Registered
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,393
Likes: 6
From: IBX
I have an 86' Scarab Panther, with 502's about 550hp each. Merlin heads, Crane, etc. all the good stuff. Since I put the motors together I have had no running problems what so ever, and I hope to keep it that way (250hrs).
The question I have is where do you think I can benefit to get more top end. The boat is set up with TRS drives and currently on 25 Mirage Plus' which top out at 5000 rpms. I have messed around with different props such as 25 mirage, 25 mirage plus, 23Mirage plus and a crappy set of 22 4blades. Top speed on the boat has been a best of 76mph. The 25 mirage plus seem to be the best props for comfort, cruise and stability.
I installed nose cones, with no gain, actually lost 1-2 mph and about 100-200 rpm. I guess due to less slip? This year I also swithched the drives to have the props turn IN, instead of out. It seemed to cary the nose better and ride smoother with only a 1 mph gain.
The boat just doesn't seem to want to go any faster.
Any ideas?
The question I have is where do you think I can benefit to get more top end. The boat is set up with TRS drives and currently on 25 Mirage Plus' which top out at 5000 rpms. I have messed around with different props such as 25 mirage, 25 mirage plus, 23Mirage plus and a crappy set of 22 4blades. Top speed on the boat has been a best of 76mph. The 25 mirage plus seem to be the best props for comfort, cruise and stability.
I installed nose cones, with no gain, actually lost 1-2 mph and about 100-200 rpm. I guess due to less slip? This year I also swithched the drives to have the props turn IN, instead of out. It seemed to cary the nose better and ride smoother with only a 1 mph gain.
The boat just doesn't seem to want to go any faster.
Any ideas?
01-13-2010 | 11:37 AM
#17
Thread Starter
Frank's Marine Service
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 11,959
Likes: 142
From: Elkton, MD
If anything I've gained 10-15 lbs yet the Apache is still faster!
I used to keep in touch with the current owner of my boat... I wonder how it's doing 10 yrs after I rehabbed it.. Probably due for another rehab.
Last edited by Panther; 01-13-2010 at 11:40 AM.
01-13-2010 | 02:25 PM
#18
VIP Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,314
Likes: 1,556
From: Maryland
01-13-2010 | 02:49 PM
#19
Thread Starter
Frank's Marine Service
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 11,959
Likes: 142
From: Elkton, MD
By the way... for the Panther owners, something to check out... There was a run of Panthers in the mid/late 80's that were pushed out of the shop very quickly... A lot of them have hooks in the transom because the resin was laid up so hot that it warped the hull in the mold. In addition, this short timespan, mid/late 80's they were not properly overlapping the laminate on the keel. To see if you have one of these models just take a close look at the keel from roughly under the helm area (windshield) foward to the bow. If you see any stress cracks on the keel it's likely you could have an issue.
The only reason I know about this is cause I found out the hard way.......when the bottom split open on the ocean and the cabin started filling up with water as I was coming in Pt. Pleasant Inlet....
When the glass shop fixed the 7' delaminated section (they cut a 7ft X 4ft section out of the keel) they told me they had done several jobs on the Panthers just like mine....
It was a very sad day for me but $7K in glass work later the boat was stronger than it ever was and while the boat was in the shop I (myself) blueprinted the bottom and gained a few MPH!
Can't make this stuff up fellas!
The only reason I know about this is cause I found out the hard way.......when the bottom split open on the ocean and the cabin started filling up with water as I was coming in Pt. Pleasant Inlet....
When the glass shop fixed the 7' delaminated section (they cut a 7ft X 4ft section out of the keel) they told me they had done several jobs on the Panthers just like mine....
It was a very sad day for me but $7K in glass work later the boat was stronger than it ever was and while the boat was in the shop I (myself) blueprinted the bottom and gained a few MPH!
Can't make this stuff up fellas!
01-13-2010 | 04:55 PM
#20
Registered
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,393
Likes: 6
From: IBX
Wow, that chit sucks panther. I think mine would have come apart long ago if I had this problem. Although I do have a lot of hook I believe to be from the hot layup issue you mention. We'll fix that though and hopefully breach the century mark
