Silly question, but have you checked or replaced the plugs, wires, dist. cap, rotor, pick-up, module and coil.

Or even an oil leak dripping on the ignition wires.

Plugs, cap & rotor only so far.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cobra marty

Again think about the boat as a moving dyno- the prop is the equivalant to the water brake of the dyno. The hull has it's own TQ requirement to move it thru the water. In your case it requires 700ftlb TQ to move it 78mph. Don't be surprised if the 26" bravo will not even go 78 but will turn 5050rpm because at that rpm you have 660TQ and your boat requires 700TQ to go 78.

700ftlb to go 78mph ???
Holy Cow!
cobra marty, How did you come up with that?

I have a vary similar boat with the same drive, but maybe 300lbs lighter.

With a 454 that dyno-ed just shy of 500HP at 5600rpm, the boat will easily crack 80mph with a stock 4 blade and hit 85mph (gps) with a labbed 3 blade...

Kirk, You are doing it right... Full Hydralic stearing ect...
Just sounds like your engine is not what she apears to be... A 24 Pantera will run close to 75mph with a 400HP engine and 80+mph with 500HP... Don't give up on the boat, but you may want to change engine builders???

Good Luck and Think Spring!

That was his results, see earlier posts. Panteras are not known to be that fast, great rough water, solid ride, built tough, but not that fast. 78mph is just his hull requirements.

I thought I read that the perivious owner had the boat running near 90mph with similar power???
Maybe it was one of Kirk's other threads?

The boat ran low 90's in radar runs. Also here are some posts from the Pantera forum. I don't believe the hull is limiting me according to these results:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...threadid=61999



Hi kirk,

"Go ahead and try a 30 pitch Bravo 1 4 blade.I have always had good luck on the 24s with 3 blade Mirages.The 4 blades work good when you have a real agressive drive height.I set the 24s with a real aggresive drive height for a 3 blade Mirage prop.With a 4 blade you can normally go up another inch higher on the drive.

The 24s like either a Mirage or a Bravo 1 4 blade since the bottom does not have alot of rocker in it like the 28 model.You will want some bow lift while running at high speeds.The 4 blade prop will give you more lean than the 3 blade since the prop has more diameter and more bite. The 24 remember has a 7 foot beam compared to 8 foot on the 28.

If you want more acceleration and better cruise speed then go with the 4 blade Bravo 1. If you want more top speed then go for a 3 blade Mirage.How much RPM are you turning the 29 3 blade now at WOT ?

The 4 blade will require more trim at WOT to get your top speed than the 3 blade Mirage.

The Hydromotives are fast but are cleaver style designed with a large Diameter and put to much transom lift on the 24.In rough water they work out fine but in calm conditions it puts to much transom lift on the boat.

Let me know how the 30 pitch Bravo 1 works out for you.

Make sure you put on a kill switch and a jacket while running fast."

Regards,

JO