On another thread, FT525 stated there being only three panteras with it. B-stubb, Joes race boat, and ? . It does look to me like it would get cleaner water to the prop quicker. SO how do you like it B-stubb, and why are not more of you guys ordering your boat with it. JAIME

JS,

Griff has one of the notched boats. One problem is that with a notch the motor has to be mounted higher and that causes a problem with boats that have a blower for clearance. If they were goinn to build a lot of them I think they would ahve to redo the rear of the decl mold to raise both the lip and redo the hatch.

We will see what they can come up with for ML's boat since he has that big ass blower motor going in it

There are actually more guys runnin the notched trans.

Albert (MYPANTERA28)
The Sonic Boom team (old Sunset Ave Boat)
And I think BJMs old boat has it too
Mine does not..so I cant comment on the advantages

EH, V. B. after posting this I happened to find the boat on pier51, and it also has a notch , and they have a chiller on it. I think it explains one option, your talkin about. I like the look.

Like Von said, I have a '96 with a notched transom. I talked to Jo, and he said most pleasure versions aren't built with it. Reason being is that full pleasure boats are heavier than the race boats and with the raised X dimension, it is difficult to carry the bow. My X is at 20.5 inches. I think standard 28's are at 17 inches.
It had a 2" drive spacer when I bought it and couldn't lift the bow enough, especially with a full load of fuel. It had high prop slip and through a huge rooster tail about 8-10' high when trimmed it up. I changed to a 3" drive spacer and it helped a ton. Prop slip went down, cruise speed went up and picked up a couple mph on top.
Also, since I have a 525SC, part of the flame arrestor(1" or so) is recessed into the hatch.

Good info. THANKS, JAIME

I have a notched trans on my race boat, and if were to step up to a 35 I would do the same. As far as the clearance on a blower motor inside the hatch you would need the non pleasure version to be able to have enough room. Look at my blower motor no added scoop and it clears. BTW, my boat will be for sale soon with the race motor and the poker run motor, the poker run motor is a 598 ci 900 hp blower motor mid to upper 90`s.

Albert

I think there is mabe !-2 mph in the notch pleasure but with big power .Stock power probaly no advantage .GRiff haveing less power probaly would not go any faster .Albert probaly gains with it .If griff would have a good bow lift prop like a 5 blade or a proper bravo I would go to a 1inch spacer and he would pick up mph I tested back to back lost 4-5 mph in the two inch spacer I have run with no spacer lost ride and dont go any faster hard to plane with 4 blade .pops on plane with 5 blade. Ilike the 5 blade however Its not the fastest yet 30 bravo is still the fastest yet I have a new 31 hydro Im doing some testing dont have anything solid yet. However the 5 runs through the rough so good on the last poker runs I ran the 5 blade and cruised at 75 not working the motor to hard .Im in a hard decision what to run in Jacksonville Im probaly gona put the 30 bravo on cause its suposed to be a drag race.

I have a "proper" Bravo 1 prop. I had Houston prop increase rake and cupping for bow lift. I did this before I added the 3" spacer. It made a slight difference. Lowered the rooster about 2'-3' and had better bite. Still couldn't carry the bow enough. Trimming up past neutral still didn't give me any more bow lift.
I'm sure if I could run with less fuel all the time, that would help. I just can't get any 92 octane while on the water.
Also, the X's on all notched boats are not the same. With the 3" spacer, my propshaft is 4.25 inches below the bottom.

Here is a pic of the boat as it is now with the 3" spacer. Running 50-55mph and trimmed up to about 5.