2003 Hustler Talon 377 KE Limited
 

I am hoping to buy a 2003 Hustler Talon 377 next week if my loan comes through....

Keith Eckert 950's with merc 6's. 5 blade cleavers. 140+MPH boat.

Question I have is that on this forum I see a whole lot of Hustler V hulls but no 377 cats ( only a couple of 25's).

Anyone have any comments about the 377? KE engines? This is the limited edition - no rub rail/one piece hull.

I've been in it at Lake Tahoe, but it was so extremely over geared we could hardly get it off the line. It would only do 100 MPH at Tahoe (6250 ft elev). It did 118 at sea level at 5200 rpm before it blew an impeller ( had been sitting for 2 years). GPS says it's done 161 before....

Any comments before I invest a small fortune?

Rick

I might be able to help you out feel free to call me, James 631-445-0745

Thanks for the info James! Lot made, but not many for sale. Thanks for giving me a heads up of who serviced this boat too!

Rick

Latest update: This boat was clocked on its GPS at 151 MPH. I assume that was sea level. Every boat I have had at Tahoe will barely do 4300 rpm because of the altitude and existing tall gearing set up for top speed at top RPM - AT SEA LEVEL.

Lake Tahoe is at 6250 ft elevation. Also, with any air entrapment hull, less dense air ( i.e., at high altitude) will lower top speed because the boat does not get as far out of the water - hense, more drag.

This boat is no different. There is a mistake in the original post - a video showed that we were only doing 4200 RPM, not 5300 RPM at 100 MPH. However, I am installing a set of lower pitch props and aireators. I am estimating a top speed with 32 pitch 4 blades to be 135+ at Lake Tahoe.

Justin from Waves & Wheels at LOTO is building a 377 Talon as we speak. I think with 525SC's he's hoping to be in the 105-110 range. Now granted, that will include about 10,000 lbs of stereo equipment... ha, good luck with the boat!

That'll be about the only boat that the stereo sounds better than the 525SCs. Good luck Justin!!!

The boats coming along great! We've been pulling a lot of after hours and late nights fabricating on the "toys" we will have "ironman" 100% for the shootout. Andy from PBC has got her dialed in on the performance side. I gps 107 and smacked the rev limiter, not bad for 10000 pounds of audio and stock motors. Far as the 377 it self I'm pleased with the ride and for stock power it has some impressive acceleration. You can follow progress on speedonthewater.com look under projects (following ironman)

I finally finished the purchase of this boat from my son. Took it to Honker Cut Marine in stockton CA and had Rod service everything. Engine oil, filters, fuel filters, drive oil and filters, and Rod swapped a pair of his personal racing 4 blad 32 pitch props. Before the swap, in Stockton on the delta, we did what rod said was a solid 130 MPH - I saw the tachs not the speedo - they were at 5200 rpm. It had more in it...

Took it to Tahoe at 6250 ft elevation with the 32 pitch, 4 blade, labbed, racing props and swear it did the same speed as at Stockton, EASILY! We easily hit 5400-5500 RPM ( Maybe a set of 34 pitch...) We were hauling ass! But, speedo quit - needs a new battery. Next time I take it out I have a GPS speedo on my cell phone and will verify the speed. Will get some videos too.

This 377 Talon KE Limited is the most stable Cat I have ever been in. Rock solid at speed in chop.