Considering a nice 28SS with 454/330's and TRS. I'm concerned that this boat will be overly stern heavy. Most others I've seen or read about have small blocks. Can anyone provide some info regarding this particular boat engine combination?

it will definitely be stern heavy and tight!

check out thunderboatally.com gallery and you'll see lots o pics of them with TRS, bravo, big block, small block...

mine had small blocks and bravos, and i thought it sat a little low...cant imagine bb/trs combo

i just bought another 28SS project without power and I'm considering taking my 540s out of the Cafe Racer and throwing them in it...

PICS!! Man we need PICS!! ......and what are you doing with the Cafe?

Mine with small blocks and TRS sets about 2inches below the rubrail with a full tank of fuel and a full cooler of beer

A buddy of mine has a 1976 28 cig with twin SBC's.....i can honestly say i have not been in alot of other boats that fly as well as this one does! the combo is just perfect for the size and weight of this boat. His tabs have been broken for close to two years now cause he's too lazy to get the pumps fixed!! But unless the seas are over i'd say 3' this boat doesnt need them! And it launches and lands so nice you can get very over confident in it and drop your guard for a second only to be scared chitless when some rogue wave comes at ya and tosses you sideways!

I've got small blocks and bravos in mine. It sits very low in the water especially with a big load.

I've only got fifteen hours at the helm, but there is nothing better then sneaking up behind a 50 foot cruiser and launching out of his wake. It flies predictable and lands solid every time.

Wally,

You hit it on the head...great flying boat and no need for tabs...I never installed them on mine when i redid it and the only need i see for them is if you've got a stiff crosswind. can't wait to start the new one I think im gonna make it a sit down boat...

You guys are kinda rienforcing my suspicions about big blocks in this boat. If it had small blocks I think it'd be a no brainer to have this boat. Is there some compelling reason why there are not more of these things with big blocks?

I happy to hear all the good things said about the 28's!

I guess if the price is right on the boat you can always take out the BB's and TRS's and repower with smalls/Bravo's (or Alpha's). Sell the BBs/TRS's and get your $ back out of them.

Or it might just run great with the big blocks. Can you sea trial?

WOW a thread actually related to boating... whats this site coming to

sounds like the ultimate revenge on your mechanic.