I think the problem is Jo himself had the boat at 90+ and now it barely cracks 80. If I were in the market I would want to know the REAL story.

onesickpantera- you got it. This was my point.

I like the boat, just wondering why it is running slow, when it used be be a 90+ performer.

2 people at a time went out. Greg and I, then Scott and I.
Greg drove it. I drove it. Scott drove it.
I held the gps while Scott drove it to a best of 80.1.

I started the thread hoping there was a simple fix - like someone clarifying that they changed to a 3lb pulley for this reason or that. Then I would have had some level of confidence that the motor is ok. And that all it would need is to just put the smaller pulley back on and go rip.

Sorry Kirk I know you do. That question wasn't directed toward you. I was merely stating if I was looking at the boat and it would only do 80 I would want to know WHY.

Which, if we look back, was the original question of this thread.

Seems like that would be an easy one to test. Scott's got to have plenty of pullies and belts around that joint.

I bet if the boat were in Jo's hands, with some tweaking, it would go over 90 again I dont think anything is wrong with it, that a survey, and a good leakdown test wouldnt tell ya.

Everyone knows Jo runs these boats better than anyone.
I've dug this boat when it was 80k. Now its 49k.

Kirk, i'm sure the boat is mint. But then again its not new.
For 50k, i'd have it surveyed and a good mechanic do a compression and leakdown, just like a buyer should when plunking down cash.
Even when things are new, the buyer should be aware.

If i was ready and just wanted a boat for myself, i'd bring this one home, use it for the rest of the season, then let JC go through the engine in the off season. that's pretty cheap insurance. just my $0.02.

Guys... You're buying the boat as is, not as it was when Jo last drove it.

For what this boat is intended for, at this price its a steal.
And for all you macho guys wanting to run over 100 in one of these 28s, you may want to speak to albert about what it takes. He's done it, and it doesn't seem like he is all too anxious to do it again.
I think a solid 90-93 is VERY respectable, w/ a cruise of 70.

I think the thread was started as a "anyone know why" question, hoping someone might know why it only runs 80 and why it is only running 3lbs of boost.

I agree a leakdown and compression test would show if the motor was hurt. But, I do find it odd that it is only running 3 lbs of boost. So it very well could be a simple pulley change.

Grimes has a very good rep in his atlanta market, that would give me warm fuzzies, do the compression/leakdown.

Jo can always squeeze a few digits, also factor in heat, sea level and salt buoyancy

You could always call Gary Grimes in Alpharetta, Georgia. I believe he built the motor and could address the pulley situation atleast. I know his motors are not cheap!
Greg

So whoŽs gonna buy this beauty, then? I think it looks great, and thought about bringing it over here.

I love the cockpit settup.......but I think there is the crux of the matter with the motor issue.
The boat is a complete contradiction.
It is set up like an out and out race boat, made for a two man crew. and it got a motor to deliver the goods. 90+ mph in a 28 footer is definitely where the fun is........but not with an XR drive. Merc racing gets nervous when you tell them you are going to do some serious offshore running with their 600/XR package in a single!
So somewhere along the line the motor got muzzle to stop it chewing up the (up to 600HP) drive.

IŽd keep the cockpit settup, and the motor. Get the guy who built it to go over it and bring it up to 750 HP and fit an Imco sc drive.

just my theory.............

WildCard- you're on it man! How are ya?

FYI: I talked to Jo in length about this boat. He said the drive is custom built w/all all the Imco goodies inside- maybe some teague stuff here and there. I forget all the details. Bottom line is it was set up to take some serious abuse. Well beyond standard XR.

Pretty cool boat. A real beast. It's a little hard to drive solo with your pinky running the trim but that can be changed! Just a shame about the motor really. Seems like a total mystery. Nobody knows if it's got issues or if someone changed the pulley to lower the boost. -hard to imagine why anyone would do a bigger pulley when all you'd have to do is give it less throttle.

Really cool boat though.