Hi guys,
I just bought a nova Spyder with a single 454 and a bravo. My question is... What makes them so slow? I did a lot of reading and everybody for the most part is saying it takes a lot of HP and torque to get them into the 70 mph range, why is that? Mine does 46mph with 3 adults and 100gal of fuel but it is bottom painted and had very restrictive mufflers on it, which I just removed but haven't had a chance to go out again.

What is your WOT rpm? You should be in the 60's I would think...

I dont see a single 454 pushing well into the 60s.....

That Nova Spyder is probably around 5500lb dry when new. Plus 500lb of people. Plus 800 lb of fuel, and its probably only a 365HP Magnum Merc which is 30 years old and is only making about 320 hp now. With out it dropping off Niagara Falls there is no way in hell that boat would ever see the far side of 55mph even when new. Its just simply too heavy and under powered to push past that.

What size Nova 202, 23,26 ?

Had a 1986 23 Nova with a nicely modified 350 and with 2 adults and two kids and cooler 55 was max and that was on a good day.

They are just built with a lot of glass and old school lay up. Good Luck Also which 4if54 330 hp or 365HP?

They are heavy, solid boats. They rightfully deserve the "Resin Bucket" name. The original 25' Nova was built by Brownie, he is a member here, IIRC the 26' Spyder was still based off his hull design. My 79 250XL with 2 300HP SBCs and Alphas would hit 62 with 100 Gallons of fuel and 2 people on board.

It is a 365 mag 454. Changed exhausts today. It had a Gil silencer system on it. I went straight thru haul and did 51 with a full tank and just me and my dad.... Then hit a vertical bobbing log at 51 mph... Ripped the drive off... And had to be floated by the coast guard. Motor didn't go under, insurance is coming to look Monday. Wish I knew how to upload pics.

Wot is 4700 with a 21p mirage plus