The New PQ's ???
 

So rumor has it that PQ is reworking the molding process in order to increase strength and shed some pounds.

Question??

I understand that with the loss of weight will come some speed gains, however the PQ's never seemed to be a fast hull to began with so will the weight loss really mean all that much?? Or truly do they need to scrap what they have and start from scratch?? Don't get me wrong I'm not knocking the PQ's they are beautiful boats and perform fairly well for there intended use. I only ask the question because if PQ really plans to come back they certainly must be up to something else beside s simply layup schedule change and of course the vacuum bagging. Otherwise they'd have pumped out a few boats by now. Heck they could have pumped of several 26's or 28's to have at least generated some revenue. I know the smaller boats have less of a profit margin than the larger boats but there's also less risk.

Any thoughts??

I think the newer year PQ's did pretty well on speed.
My 03 300 Revenge with 6.2's went 68-70,not bad weighing 7000+ pounds. After all it is a big 30' boat! She is at 90 now with 525sc's. I think there is more if I ever get all the bugs out of it. :D

My '02 Avenger hit 84 on gps with Herrings one time. 500EFI's. Not sure you could improve much on that. Don't think they have changed the bottom at all since adding the twin step. Can't speak much for the other models btu from what I have heard they aren't doing much at the factory....

A few thoughts, I toured the factory two months ago. Bob gave a very informational tour. They were finishing up a 38 that was started before the shut down, it was sold. They also had a new 38 they were working on with the new lay up schedule. The deck alone was a 1000 + pounds lighter than the original deck. They were in the process of re tooling ,the goal is to take the wood out of the boat, to create a higher quality more consistant product. Bob had also mentioned the reason for making a stronger lighter boat is GM is going to discontinue the big block some time in the near future. (first I have heard of that.) What I took away from the conversation was they were in no hurry to reintroduce the 38 until it was exactly the way they want it.

I'm sure there is more power in them. They sounded great at the Sacandaga run. You just need to lose all the weight from that kick ass stereo system you have. :cool-smiley-011:

Tom
AKA Speedjunkies

No more big blocks?? Hard to belive the staple of performs boats to disappear?? I noted that article in the new Hot Boat magazine with the High output diesel getting 7-8 mpg. Could that be the new staple???

So back to the PQ hulls.. It seems to me across the board in sizes that there seems to be an issue with handling and speeds. However there are several other manufactures running old molds but still seem to pull out some big top end numbers yet still be stable. One thing noted on the PQ's which most boats lack is the tall freeboard. Which might I add is why I like PQ's. The family feels safe and it provides a nice high and dry ride. So could the bottom be fine, simply an issue with the center of gravity causing the unstable ride at speeds?? Or maybe I'm way off base and this is only an issue with the 29' and below models?

I agree with you the big block is a staple in any performance boat. What Bob had said is they will probably supercharge the small blocks. I question if they will be able to develop the same tourque ratings. As far as speed on the boats under 29, I to have heard of handling issues. I have a 38, and as you stated the free board and amount of room in the cabin is great.

The rumors on the demise of the big block revolved around the 496. Those in the know (Raylar, for instance) say the 496 is going to be around for some time. As long as there remains a demand for the block in the marine industry, there is no reason GM will not still produce the block just as they do the 502 that has not been used in a production vehicle in some years.

Have to have enough sound to cover up the exhaust note cruizing down the Lake! :cool-smiley-026:

Jamie

Even if G.M. stopped producing the big block there are plenty of aftermarket companies that could supply mercruiser with blocks & heads.
If their is a demand there will be a supply. G.M. stopped producing the traditional Pontiac V8 engine almost 30 years ago, but you can build one complete today just using aftermarket parts, that would still interchange with the originals.

38 footers by others, Fountain ,Hustler Cig get into the 90's and more with 600's and 700's I suspect they would like to get a 38 that can do it with 525's and that will take some weight loss and a change in profile. I agree that the profile is one of the things most PQ 38 owners like, I would hat to see it go.

Performancemary, did you buy your 38 in Oshkosh Wisconsin?

If you are not hitting triple digits with 700's in a 38' boat, you are way off the pace in today's market.

A Formula 382 with 700's doesn't hit triple digits and I wouldn't call a 382 way off pace with today's market (based on how well they sell) but it is one of the slower offerings with that power package.

Off pace in terms of speed. Granted, not off pace overall in the market.

Agreed.

I ran side by side with Vic at Lake Cumberland PR when he was running that 700 boat. The boat runs pretty well, but won't keep up with the new bottom designs. That 382 is still a sweet ride though.

And don't forget down in Miami in 2005 we got to go out on the 382 that Forumula was using to dial in the new 600's before their release. That was a sweet ride!!

Been hearing the "big block is going away" rumor for *years* on the 'net. Last I checked it's still here...

Dock did you buy another boat?

Yeah, except for the part where he couldn't get it to 80!:(

38 Pq
 

GOOD CALL Yes I bought it in Oskosh out of the place that is now called Sweetwatter. There was another 38 PQ being sold around the same time, was that you?

Performancemary, yes that was me. My son and I still talk about the ride we went on with you on lake winnebago, that boat rocked!

Fantastic, do you get out to any poker runs . We did Oshkosh last summer and two others closer to home. Don't think we will do Oshkosh next year.
Actually we are looking to trade to a Fountain Express Crusier. The wife wants more room but as you said I like the boat we have, it does rock.
How has your been running.

I haven't run in any poker runs lately, I think the last one was through the Sturgeon Bay yacht club in Door County. We do most of our boating up on the Bay of Green Bay. Last year was the first year we didn't cross Lake Michigan. Two years ago we went to Elk Rapids and Tourche Lake. Michigan sure knows how to treat boaters!! Boat is running great, I had Gary pull the High performance Goodwin motors out and put in new 496HO's. Pulled the windscreen and installed windshield. Also ordered a new sun deck from PQ and had a biminey and slant back custom made through Anchor Interiors. Big project but worth it.

Love the looks of the windscreen!!! But will agree in our area the windshield makes for a few more comfortable days on the big pond!

GOOD CALL
So you take the crossing on Lake Mich. I would like to try that some time but get nervious. Any scerets to doing it without any weather problems. Need GPS ?
Wat are the best places to go on the other side?
Say one more question. We had the biminie made at the same place but the frame piece that comes up next to the side windows rubs on the windshield frame. Same with you?

Performancemary, We leave at sun up from Death's Door at the tip of door county. We usually go to either Chalevoix or Boyne City for a day or two. We also have been to Lealand, Petoskey, Frankfort, Sutton's Bay and Elk Rapids. We rent a pontoon boat on Elk Lake and take that to Tourch Lake. Magazine articles have stated it's arguably the third most beautiful lake in the world. I would highly recommend a GPS, there are alot of bouys you need to be aware of. I don't have the problem with the pole hitting the windshield.

bimini support
 

Perfomancemary,
We have a piece on our Bimini that attaches to the handholds on the back of the starboard and on the port side seats that greatly reduces lateral movement of the framework. They attach at a approximate 45 degree angle and don't interfere with anything just add stability. .

I did something similar on my boat after ripping the bimini windshield frame mounts out on my first year with the boat at LOTO. Works great and keeps the bimini rock solid. No problems since.

brace
 

Dave Kline
Do you have anby pic's of how that looks?

brace
 

sorry I don't have any pictures of the boat with bimini up. I would take some but the boat is a hour from the house in the boat shed at Sullivan and I won't be getting down there until March.:(

I can wait till spring, thanks for responding.

Hey PQ people,

I'm new to this forum and have enjoyed reading your post. I have been a PQ owner since 1998 and now enjoy my 340 with 525's on Lake Cumberland KY. I have been in contact with Jamie at the factory and it looks like the new 380 will soon be rolling off the line. The new Poker Run mold appears to have less highth. I recieved outline drawings so that I could do some graphic work. Jamie said they are progressing with the brochures and the website, so keep checking and order a brochure. I'm ready for the new 380, but I'll wait for the preformance test. Does anyone on this forum boat at Lake Cumberland?

Do you go to the poker run the weekend after labor day each year?

Mentalpause,
Yes, we haven't missed a poker run in four years. Last year was a great run. The weather was assume and the boats were all WOW factor boats. How about you? Do you run Lake Cumberland at all or do the Poker Run? Hey I noticed a 2007 Sunsation F4 on your post. Are you running an F4? That is one graet looking, running boat. I've been to the factory and saw the production side, it's a sweet set up. Joe and Wayne are very hospitable. Did you see the F4 they had at the LC Poker Run the paint was unusual. :D

Hey PQ People,

I just received an email from Jamie at PQ. The new 380 bottom is being laid up and will soon role off the line. He has invited me to the factory and mentioned that they will be offering deep discounts from the factory on the first few 380's. So if your thinking new you might want to consider contacting the factory before a dealer.

Yes, that is my F4. We ran the LC poker run in 2006. I may try to get back there this year. The boat is at the Louisville Boat Show this week, we are going down Saturday. I plan to talk to the guys at Hilltop to see if they have some advice for accomodations for the PR weekend. Hilltop has the boat this weekend in their booth.

The F4 that was there in 2007 was the factory black and green boat.

Mentalpause
Do you have a place on Lake Cumberland? How often do you run the lake? Hey, say hi to David, Kyle and Barry for me when you recover your boat from the show. They service and detail my PQ and Ski Natique. By the way I assume your F4 is the First Born. If so it's your boat that inspired me to visit Sunsation after I saw it in 2006. By the way if you go to www.helipix.com you can see photo's of your boat on the water, during the 2006 run. If you click on the Powerquest link I am the second PQ shoot, yellow red matrix graphic with 3 guys and my daughter-in-law.
Wow, just talking and thinking boats when it's 9 degrees here makes me anxious for another summer. Anyway if your planning a trip to LC this summer let me know and maybe we can link up for some face to face and fun running. By the way, did you run a PQ before the F4? Is that why your on the PQ forum?

I have a place on LOTO, so that is where the boat is most of the time.

I had a PQ 270 laser - great boat, and lots of other boats before that. I went from it to a 32 Sunsation then to the F4.

I ordered a Myco trailer for the boat over the winter so I could go to some poker runs - hope to make it back to Cumberland this year. I will be looking for accomodations this weekend!:evilb: