Last weekend at the SBI/APBA race and kilo runs in Washington, N.C., the Velocity VR1 not only won the Factory 1 race, it also set the new 425hp speed record at a two way average of 80.95 mph. The same boat held the record in 2002 for 500hp and again in 2004 for 525hp, proving you don't need a ventilated bottom to go fast.

Congrats again team F1-56!

FYI... that hull may have set the record last year with 525hp, but I have the hull that set the 2002 500hp record. The boat will still do 82 gps mph with a windshield, full cabin, half a tank of gas, a full cooler, and two people!

What prop are you running to get such a great top end and at what RPM? Does the boat plane well and what midrange speed do you see at 3500 rpm?

I am running a 27 Hydro 4 blade square ear that Mike Hall has massaged a bit. Planning is no issue at all.... especially with the K-planes down. At 3500 rpm I am right at 50mph.

Congrats!

Thanks CAVelocity. I'm currently hitting the rev limiter at 5150 rpm with my Raylar upgraded 496, running a 28" Bravo 1 prop at 77.4 mph GPS. We're working on reprogramming the rev limiter for 5600 rpm. The 27" Hydro is what I have considered and I understand Hall's knows how to tweak the prop for a better holeshot. What's your top rpm when you're hitting 82?

My rev limiter is set at 5600.... that prop tops out at a little over 5400 on my boat. I have tried several props... 28 Bravo Lab, 30 Bravo Lab, and a 27 Hydro round-ear non-lab. So far nothing beats the 27 Hydro. Good luck.

I have a friend that is interested in upgrading his 496 HO in a 290 SC... any advice?

I ordered a 27" Hydromotive Q-IV today and look forward to comparing it to the 28" Bravo. I expect I'll still be into the rev limiter but I'm interested in how the boat handles and my midrange efficiency. Should be able to run it the weekend after next. If I like it, I'll be interested in learning more about how you had yours modified.

The Raylar 525 HP upgrade is pretty straight forward, using a lot of stock externals like exhaust. I went the complicated route by upgrading to the 600 HP version which required forged pistons, H-beam rods, Bassett headers, and for dress-up purposes, I relocated the coils off the valve covers which required modifiying the wiring harness. Love the way it looks and runs. Just not getting the full potential yet.

CA, I will be testing a set of the new CMI's on a 496, 290 this weekend. I will post results, so you friend with the 290 will have something to work with.

Thanks a lot guys.... he's got a set of CMI headers on order!