I just got back from the Atlantic city boat show and saw a 26 Daytona on a trailer with a 496/425 for 82K is this underpowered? and is there a difference between the 25 and 26 speed or handling wise. Also this would be my first cat, if you don,t count the hydrostream 20 xt I had, does anyone know of a 26 for sale or a 25, we are in NJ , are there any dealers out this way?

The 25 is faster and the 26 handles better. A 500efi in a 25 will put you 83 -85 mph.

If you are considering something used and already set up for big power, there is a 2001, 25' with less 50 hrs on it listed under 'boats for sale'. You can have about any motor you want put in it.

We saw that boat and the 36 at AC as well. There are not any current Eliminator dealers in NJ.. The guy there is just starting a dealership in Long Island. He bought those boats to have something there to display.

We live in Mullica Hill Nj and are exploring the possibility of an Eliminator dealership in the northern part of the Chesapeake Bay. Nothing for sure just exploring so far. We have a 36 and love it.

If this is your first Cat, you better shop insurance first! My neighbor at the lake just bought a 26' cat with 100mph power and paid close to $4k for the year. The problem appears to be, that at the moment, there are not many insurance companies wrighting policies on cats!

A 26' Daytona with a 496 is DEFIANTLY underpowered! The hull doesn't come alive until 70mph which would probably take WOT on a 496.

There are a number of 26' Daytona's for sale and because the 25 has been around a while, there are a lot of those to shop. Try the OSO classifieds and TraderOnLine.com.

Obviously the 25 would be much faster with the same power as the 26 because the 25 is a much smaller boat and weighs less. Remember, the 26 is actually 26’10”. Having never ridden in a 25 I couldn’t express an opinion. But, I have about 130 hours in my 26 and it rides like my Mercedes S class!

I have a 2001 26 Daytona with an HP500EFI/XR Drive, with an extended warranty thur 2005, motor and drive. The boat runs 78-80mph on GPS, put a lab prop on and it will run 83-85mph solid. I am not a fan of the 25 compared to the 26. The 26 has more freeboard, handles MUCH better, it really is 26' 10" in length and the 1/4 canopies are great, they kill all the wind. The 26 is a hotter seller right now over the 25. The 25 has a very small cockpit compared to the 26.

As they say, "once you go cat, you won't go back!".
Check out the used 26 at www.lightningbaymarine.com or call me, Mike @ 727-822-4470.

I have 26 with procharged 540, standoff box & XZ drive. best to date is 104. Motor is going back in this weekend with new heads, hope to add about 10-15mph. Boat is walkthru bowrider & that kills top end. Interior room is massive. I have carried 12 people with no problem. When I bought boat it only had stock 7.4 & best I got was 57, but did not have correct prop. When you look at difference between the 26 & 25 there is a big interior size difference. I have never ridden in a 25 but I have been in a number of 28's. I like my ride as good as the 28. & interior space between the 26 & 28 is only 6" of width, lenght is the same.

As was said above when ever someone that has never been in a cat gets a ride they are hooked.

Only other point to make is NO such thing as Too Much Horsepower.

No such thing as too fast or too much power! I am building a 30 Daytona with a pair of Keith Eickert 540/725hp motors, with 1 year warranty. Boat should break 130 mph with my complete set up, and yes that is a 130 mph with a 1 year warranty!

" If it is not a cat is must be a dog!"

26's are a great size and good bang for the buck.

Lightning Mike

Noticed You are interested in an Eliminator

I Have a "Low Hour -Real Clean" 25 Daytona with A KE-800 (Less than 30 Hrs.) for sale. Will make you a Charter Member of the "Tripple Digit Club" real quick.

Price..... Not $2,000/ Mph. or even $1,000 / Mph But only $675/Mph ...... Bring your GPS.

Boat is Like New..... Was from NY sure it would like N.J.

Contact [email protected]