Hi all,

I am seeking a bit of advice, I am based down in NZ and we have a sailing race here in about 18 months. It is not just a sailing race these things move, 50+ knots. at the moment the teams are buying their chase and support boats, most have 4x 400hp mecury outboards on rigid inflatable things like protectors. like these ones Emirates Team New Zealand Catamaran Chase Boat - Morrelli & Melvin | Multihull Design * Engineering * Brokerage

As we haven't had a poker run down here for 10 years, this will be a big event, and the chance for some powerboats to get in on the fun, both to view the racing, but also some unofficial racing between the team support boats, and viewing boats to see the next mark rounding etc.

I think i have one of the only fountains in Auckland, i have a 38ec. The question is, do i up the HP either with new engines or improving the internals and supercharging the 496ho? or do I buy a new boat that can do 70mph+ in reasonable comfort in open ocean and can entertain on, needs ice maker, fridge, seating etc. In my searches the only thing better for what i need would be a 48ec but it might be a bit on the slow side. Am i missing any fountain boat i should be looking at? Or is the 38ec better to invest in, and make it faster.

Cheers, On the whipple page it looks like they do the upgrade on stock engine i like the look of the kit, and it looks like something i could do solo. I like that it removes the cool fuel 3 from the equation. For piece of mind Raylar have some nice looking internals for SC which i would need a builder for.


I will start acquiring the parts, to get started next year.

Not answer to your question but back in 1986 I met the crew of the original America's Cup Kookaburra at the Royal Perth Yacht club!
Cheers,
Tom

Look into the Whipple supercharger kits for the 496's. Close friend went that route a few years ago and the perf went way up while the reliability stayed reasonable as well. The Raylar route has been said to work well also.

Need to watch the comments on the blow boats, as a kid I spent many a Sunday on a small blow boat with my Dad, he did the sailing and I did the bailing with a coffee can, that's another story, have many memories of those days. A real boater realizes that it's all about being on the water.

Did u even read my user name? LOL us sailors caught hell in the "other" sailboat thread

I made the spy snaps,

the fountain made the snap