HA! That's why I'm babysitting tomorrow! The wife is off to Laguna to buy something shiny for her self. Funny thing, she told me that the new ring would only make her happy until she decided she needed a faster one! (Actual quote!) :D :D :D

Yeah, better than sea-water, but it's a ***** to pull off!!!!!
Don't worry my friend - I'm getting her back together.
I've been concentrating just in the bilge, transom, and hull.
I don't think I've taken the cover off past the backseat in 4 weeks.
I pulled all the interior except the driver and passenger seat a few weeks ago, and I plan to re-do it over the winter. I'm kinda shoping for drop-out bolster's, so if anyone find's some that would fit, I may be interested if the price is reasonable.

don't do drop outs... get some sweet sitdowns.
either from PPI or ones like Jo had in the army boat!

Funny you should say that.
I have been concerned about the low freeboard with drop outs, but In my last boat, I was always standing. I liked having the wind in my face - I'll probably have that sitting down in this boat. The old boat had bolsters but no drop-out, and I always hated having the front edge of the seat as the only thing into the back of my legs.

PPI, ???? never heard of them.
Haven't seen any pictures of the seats in the ARMY boat.

I had the drop outs, always stood, other wise my thighs would barely fit behind the wheel.

I think the sitdowns would give a more secure feeling being deep in the boat.
PPI: http://www.ppi-fl.com/begin.html
I think the army boat had Sparco's.

it would be nice to test drive a 24 both ways to have a real opinion.

As I said in the other thread, I really liked the sit down seats in the 24. I expect that as my knees continue to go away, I will ultimately convert my 28 to a full sit-down boat.

Been buried with work, but she's coming along. Might end up sticking the motor in tomorrow if all goes well. He's a photo from earlier today.

The valve covers will end up black as well.

Update... Photos from last night. Camera phone photos for now. I'm hoping to run her this weekend!

keep it going Dude!!
I can almost smell the new paint heating up when she fires:cool-smiley-011:

Looking good.......

nice!!!!

You are totally SCREWED now. But atleast the diamonds will not depreciate.

HA! I knew that going in! You buy that Apache yet?

Funny you guys bring up diamonds.

My now wife, was pushing for an engagement ring. I was boat shopping. I joked with her and told her I would buy a new boat and name it "Bobbie's Diamond"

Funny thing is, she said OK:D

I ended up getting a new boat and she got a ring a few months later.

Now I know why you walk with a limp! :D

LOL:D
Don't add up the receipts or you'll be limp'n
Or maybe you'll be pimp'n
but you aint skimp'n

Learned that lesson with the race car! :D

Almost there... We're hoping to splash her tomorrow! Here's some photos from this morning.

good luck... hope there is a mph increase. :eek:

Thanks bud. I'm confident that the results will satisfy me.

Lookin' good Sean.

Good luck on the shakedown run!!

..........for a while:D

Sean, Are you turning Left ??

Hey..... we got the same post count

It's alive! HA HA HA!

Splash her tomorrow and we'll see how it goes. That's one crispy sounding motor though! Especially through dry pipes!

Tom, I told JO this morning that I wondered how long it would take someone to notice (JO emailed me about a half hour after I posted those!)... So you get the cigar. That lefty was a prop that my buddy had lying around. I don't have a lot of expectation, based on some comments, but figured I'd give it a try. I hear you're running really well on a stock 26 bravo.

Griff, the numbers "fourteen-seventy-one" have already been mentioned... I'm sick, I can't help myself! :D

Sean, I hope she runs out well for you. Be carful !!!
I tried a 26 w/ some bow lift and it had better cruise speed
(2-3 mph).
I also tried the 25 rev 4. didn't like it.
Any one want it ??

I need more pics please!! (stimulation):D:cool-smiley-011:

I think I'm just as addicted on the HP issue.

Got to do a quick test run today. That motor is AWESOME! Thank you Albert! You are the man!

I had it WAY over propped (labbed 30, stamped as a 32) spinning left. I couldn't pull over about 5k (peak HP a touch over 5,700) but ran 71 with a full tank and 3 big dudes in the boat. I'm very happy so far. Midrange even with the big wheel was impressive and the thing actually idles!

I took a little camera phone video, but probably need to email it to someone with a youtube account, or set up my own.

It sounds soooo cripsy, but has that big displacement thump to it. And it is LOUD! :D

More photos and video tomorrow.

Dude, get a labbed right hand 28 on that boat and hang on, she will go into the 80's for you. Have fun and post some pic's when you can.

Glad to hear you had a successful day.
Now just prop her the right way, and she'll really make you smile:D:D
For a little while at least...

I'm already smiling! :D

And I know I haven't said this yet, but Matt at Mobile Marine, here in HB did the install for me. He did a KICK ASS job with it. Everything was well thought out and super clean. Matt is a rare combination of good dude, competency and fair pricing. Its just too bad he doesn't like to have a beer with me every now and again! :D

I know he lurks on here so let me publicly say THANK YOU, for all the hard work.

Sean, I know your 3 hrs behind us over here, but I 've waited as long as posible.
Where is the vid ... dude!:D
I'm jones'n:cool-smiley-027:

Yeah, what he said!!!

I post from my blackberry most of the time, so I can't upload anything until I fire up the big computer later tonight. Sorry guys!

well, it will most likely be passed my bed time by the time it posts:violent-smiley-045:

I'll have the shakes before I see it

Have you tried the 26r and let er spin a little? Very inspirational since I'm stuck in the 60's for now until i grow more cubes. Good Luck, Chris

Thanks for the kind words Sean. Matt

(Point of view from the extra ballast. Always enjoy going out with you guys.)

After long awaited anticipation and speculation of the motor's true HP, the old Pantera made a quick run around Long Beach. The motor is HEALTHY and the dry exhaust is LOUD. The poor IMCO tried diligently to swing a labbed 32P left playing tug-of-war against the torque of the motor. Matty and I leaned heavily on the passanger side to counter balance the boat and keep her level. Taching out @ 5050RPM , we stayed between 70-71MPH for the 8 mile loop. Most impressive was the midrange acceleration from 3800-4800RPM across the 1-2 foot chop.

Next run will be with a 26P right which should help with the balance of the boat, as well as turning the motor UP to it's peak HP of 5700RPM, but not exceed the 6000RPM thresh hold.

Excellent work to Mobile Marine of HB. Matt does great rigging work and is a blast to hang with. Big smiles to your customer service.

Hugh

So I checked my dyno sheet... I'm giving up 110 hp between 5,000 and 5,700. So there ya go. :D

Still working on posting the little video clips and the finished engine compartment photos... I feel like a monkey trying to F a football when it comes to this computer crap! :cool-smiley-027:

I'm guessing a 28" Bravo is gonna be the prop. The 26" is mildly labbed and has added rake and cup so it spins real close to the same rpms as a stock one.

Scott, you're the only dude I know who sleeps less than I do!

Ok, so video quality is horrifying, but you get the idea...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8-mWJ2ZdF8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3-Bt6h_-8I

That's right football! Take it all... Who's your daddy! :D