When I bought my Rage it came with a 28 on it and boat would do 73 on gps. I found a used 26 and it goes 78. Most notable difference between 26 and 28 was coming out of the hole, with 5 people on board the 28 was real lazy. The 26 seems perfect for this boat. As far as speed goes, I can hit 75 with any load and any conditions. My engine is stock as far as I know. Hope this helps.

Nice! I bet you sit high with extreme wind in the face!
Let me know what you find on those seats. It looks like an upgrade I'd like (+ tighter hat)

+1

They dont look that high when compared to the windshield. I too am interested in how this develops!

Spoke with the owner of boat and he said it was purchased new with the drop downs right off the showroom floor. Purchased in Havasu @ the boat brokers.
He was under the impression they put them in.
hoping to get a call out to them tomorrow.

"The Nerd" you may have missed it but my rage that did 82 in the magazine test has the merc 525 and that was on the GPS.
I have not had the boat running that fast only around 76-77 on the gps's lavorsi and merc smart view.

I would say running 78 with the 496 ho is impressive.

^Actually, I was referring to the youtube clip posted from Oregon Custom Marine. In the youtube clip description, it actually reads, "496HO with Headers". Are you saying that that clip wasn't really with a 496HO.....because, that's the part I found hard to believe. Yeah, I agree that even 78 with a "stock" 496HO is quite high for GPS speeds. Either way, its a great hull that seems to be very efficient...

The broken seat deal is not a new issue on the Rage.
We had a gentleman join the group in the back seat rather unexpectedly It was few years back and Nordic did indeed send out a new seat mechanism. It snapped the aluminum slide batcket off clean.
Potentially and ugly deal.

The only 496HO Rage I've had any substantial seat time in ran 67-68 GPS at 5000 feet w/stock 24, 73-74 at Havasu (650 feet) and ~77 in the salt and cool weather around Long Beach with a stock 26.

Dave

I have to give it up for BBlades. I called yesterday and prop was on doorstep today. Admit Wi to Ia is not very far apart, but that is pretty good service.
Beatiful weather out tomorrow hoping for the best with the labbed 26!

The boat in question had cmi headers, and a re-programed PCM.. It is fast for a 496 boat.

Chris