With the outboard wars heating up and the rumours of a 400hp blender coming in the next few years we are likely going to see more O/B offerings from more mfgs. Is it realistic to think that a 26 Sutphen's 2800lb hull with a 1000lbs of engine and rigging hung on it plus a 200lb driver would give you a 65mph top speed? BAM's speed calculator says yes - with ease.

I can tell you a 26 with a pair of 200 OB's will run 72 or so.

i think the 26's with twin 2.5 bridgeports runs about 78...
65 with a single 400?? maybe..with a jack and bracket...that's gonna be a lot of work for an oversized egg-beater....

Single 400hp is not enough motor. Twin 400s might be overkill on a 26.

I like having twins on mine. Good for safety and manauverabiltity, but I'd be tempted to drop a big single inboard in at some point. 1000hp would be nice.

You will have to help me out here because I am not following you. Same hull with I/O 415hp Bravo runs low 70's like the twin 200 O/B model. In thoery I would think the 400hp SOB would be faster since it's lighter and less drag. What's holding it back?

IMHO - Nothing wrong with a SOB 400, but If I'm gonna lay down coin for new power on a Sutphen, 70 mph is too low a target. Needs to run 80-90mph.

Dave,
I hear you, but if I was thinking 80-90mph I would be looking at a 30ft or longer hull. There is a nice 33' hull in the classifieds

..you guys should talk to Rich Jr about an F1/ORL set up...he's got the plans ready to go..race bolster/dash & still have a backseat...525 EFI....

I know, cuz he was gonna build me one...

Give him a call...it'd be Bad Azz!...

We re rigged a 26 with 225s and runs mid 70s all day long and even faster with cleavers

26 with 92 Offshores with EFI, 20" centers roughly and the motors set fairly high runs around 86-87 with 2.0 gear cases, rpm up around 7500 and Mazco cleavers but I cannot recall the pitch...perhaps 26". Fun boat!