I saw several picks of you and your cat at the tickfaw LA. That's one nice looking Skater especially since green is my favorite color. I'm not surprised your going back to the Xs' Sam. If mine sells with power I'm moving up to the 3.0 300x and ditching the VOS fuel systems as I have with my 2.5s'. Keep it simple and fewer systems to fail. I haven't had any mechanical issues in 5+ years I have had my promaxes.

I will have to ask my friend Ron . He found 300 promax long blocks for $3500.00 assembled. Not sure about warrantee but will ask.

you think the 15" mids will help? have you been in your buddies 30 with the X's?

I'm glad you guys brought up the short blocks. In a normal 4 stroke I understand the difference in what comes with short vs long block but what comes with what on these 2 strokes? Is it worth the price difference? I may be in the market for 2 or 3 depending on price and availability.

Thanks

The short blocks my friend was purchasing was just that a long block with heads. No electronics or fuel system or associated components. The 2-strokes are easy to rebuild, as they have no valve train. If I couldn't pay someone reputable like Diamond I would, have and will continue to build my own. They really are simple. I can assemble one in 3 hours barring no helicoiling pulled threads. With thread repair it was closer to 5 hours. This was with no experience building them.

well what I purchased had nothing but block and internals....no new reeds...nothing else at all. called it a long block but that's not really what it is.

Bob, thanks that's how I feel as well they really aren't complicated motors but at the same time nervous that there are special tricks to get them "right" which is why I'm considering new long/short blocks. That and I'm not sure the condition of the blocks themselves or what to have checked to confirm they're good to go.

LA, that's what I thought as well what was described to me as a merc long block didn't sound any different than what I'd think of a short block so I guess the question would be what don't you get with their short block that you do with the long?

IMO it should come with new reed block assemblies at the very least.

I just bought two brand new 300x long blocks. They include block completely assembled and heads.
Have not officially opened the box to see if oil lines etc are in place but will soon.

WTF, Ron! Are you going to add two more outboards on that 28? You won't have any speed issues then! HaHa

I think mercury calls them LONG blocks because of how many numbers are to the left of the decimal point LOL.

[QUOTE=Taboma;4333297]WTF, Ron! Are you going to add two more outboards on that 28? You won't have any speed issues then! HaHa[/QUOTE

Let's see here 30' Skater with twin 400r's at 697lbs each = 1394lbs with 800hp :daz: or Triple 300x's at 465lbs each = 1395lbs w/DBR mods 370hp each = 1110hp. Who knows where this may be going one day! :boat::cool:
Never can enough motors and lower units when owning an outboard cat!

But the 400R turns 7000 rpm with a warranty ? :picard1:

[QUOTE=Double Rigged;4333349]My favorite quote was on a poster hanging in the hall at the Skater factory signed by the man himself Howard Arneson. It said/asked " How much horsepower can I have and still go to heaven!" What a guy!

Yea until they run out while your waiting for back ordered parts to show up:lolhit::lolhit:

[QUOTE=Double Rigged;4333349]So are you telling us that the "new" X powerheads are going to have 370HP??? Ron, I can't wait!!:party-smiley-004:

Let's just say the project is far from complete at this point. Waiting on some things to fall into place. Not sure where exactly they will end up but we have a ways to go. My buddy always tells me it is about the journey not the destination.

Just ask Zero Patience! He knows the mercury drill well! For 70k I can repair a bunch of powerheads also.

for 70K you can have three 370hp 300x motors and one spare sitting on a stand. (I do)

[QUOTE=Taboma;4333425]They have been getting 350+ hp out of the 300X for several years. It's just mo money brother!!

FYI I have my 1989 24' Skater listed for sale on SNF. Twin Diamond Marine 280's with ROS ECU's. VERY LOW HOURS and 2014 Aluminum Trailer. In case anybody is interested...

OK, I'll bite . What exactly does it take to make an honest 370 HP ... ?

According to DBR and what I have learned in talking with Dave and Joe the kit contains a newly devolped throttle body, you have to send your air plenum in to be machined. ECU work and install their exhaust tuner. You need to have 2002 or newer coil packs as well.
Depending on year model of 300x maybe cut the heads a bit as well.
These HP numbers have alos been verified on a dyno and Wayne Worthy from Hrdro-Tec has also seen simitlar results. If you change the crank to a 3.2 stroker, report it with new sleeves Wayne has seen over 400hp from the 300x on dyno run which was posted on his facebook page.

I spoke with Joe about the same on the 300X. He said they had it over 400HP but it was eating reeds very quickly. He said they were working out the dependability issues before they released that mod to us. Wouldn't be nice if Mercury did the same thing!

How is vacation? We want photos! I'm hitting the water this weekend with "fixed motors". Hopefully we can post some good numbers.

Here are a few pics from the back of the house we are staying at. First day a little rain but looking good for the rest of the week and weekend. Going to hook up with Nascat Thursday night and check out his new ride. Also hanging with Bob and hope to go run his 30 as well. Will try and get some videos in the coming days guys!

Ron, Better double your wash-down routine in that "ugly" water! :thankyouthankyou:

Quick outboard question. It may have been answered many times before. Are your lowers towed in, out or straight on? I'm stepping back and looking at my setup.
Thanks.

Straight on!

Straight is the only thing that makes sense to me as well. I have heard arguments made that depending on whether you are spinning in or out that it should be set a little in or out so that when at speed the props pull it to straight ie if you spin out that you should set it a tad toe out so when running the prop torque pulls the lowers out but not sure I buy into that.

Contrary to popular belief and how tight of steering system you have with tie bars, motor mounts of O/B etc IMO I run about an 1/8 to 1/16" toe.
I have heard stories from the guys at TNT where props have hit each other on an installation where they were mounted very close to one another. Every boat is different. The best thing you can do is make a couple of runs and try a little toe and see if anything changes. Every set up is different.

Double, I'm not sure I could stay in that house, lol.

I agree with the straight as possible. I pulled my props to have some nicks taken care of and could visibly see howhat far out they were. Seemed off to me so I thought I would ask before I do any adjusting. If I could remember my password I would post a pic. I can't do it from my phone.

I would post a pic for you but for Suuume reason I have not seen boat yet!!! Hmmmm lol

Hey Quinlan - Been by your place the last two weekends and your boat was on the lift? Did you break it again and call and early end to the summer? See you this weekend. We will be at Camden.

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If you don't Use it - it don't Brake LOL

Nice day this weekend

Question for someone more knowledgeable than myself. I have run straight back sportmasters on my cat that I took off of my Vee hull when purchased my Talon for 7 years. I bought a spare sweptback with a torque tab ( I ground it flat) last year and ran it with the straight back with no noticeable difference in feel or handling. I am thinking of purchasing another just because. Someone stated that straitbacks are preferred on a cat but others Benny Robertson for one said swept backs are faster and the way to go. Lets hear some experienced riggers, racers and wannabe fun runners like myselfs' opinion. Thanks all !

Latest on the 32' with 400Rs

http://speedonthewater.com/in-the-ne...g-less-is-more

Would have been nice to have more technical data in the article.......



Great looking rig

Boat has not run any better. 103mph is best speed to date from what I have heard.

Hey Sam, Was there any final numbers on this rig. Am I missing something.

If they are still running the bravos it won't be good. I would imagine it needs a similar set up as mine. No 4 blade worked well for me.

Lol...just a reminder from the real world lol

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