26 Prowler performance
 

Hello,

I've owned a Scarab 22 for 5 seasons, thinking about upgrading to 26 Prowler with a 496 HO / XR-drive. Does anyone here own one? If so, what are your likes and dislikes? What kind of speed are you getting out of it?

There's an 02 in the claissifeds that looks pretty nice... Not sure what drive it is though. Someone told me the 425hp, 496 HO can break a Bravo-1 drive pretty easy, and to find one with an XR-drive.

Thanks,

Tom

p.s. love the lines of the Sonic

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

I had a 1999 with a 500EFI and a plain old 1999 Bravo drive. The whole package was bulletproof for the 3 seasons that I put on it. I am fairly confident that the B1 drives of the late 90s were stronger than todays XZ/XRs.

You should get 65ish out of a 496HO in the right 1-3 foot slop that is enough to air out that hull. Any DRIVER can break any DRIVE. Its not the motor; its how you baby/punish the drive with your driving throttling technique. Besides, its not if the drive breaks; its when. Don't worry about what drive is on the boat. Run whatever is on there, and when it lets go, upgrade it to XR gears/shafts or better.

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

my 26 with a 502 runs 61 on GPS with a full tank of gas and water with 3 people. Needs a little more HP in my opinion but other than that i love the boat. My drive let go with about 80 hours on it but I did not buy the boat new so i have no idea how the previous owner treated it. I only put about 5 hours on it and poof new drive. Rebuilt one has lasted over 120 hours with no problems.

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

I just bought an 02 with a 496 HO and you have to wring it out to go 65, but I went down (or up?) from a Baja 302 and it rides more confidently - ie no boom-shake-rattle.

The thing that was surprising is how bad it is out of the hole, but I'm getting better at it. The Baja jumped right out with the twin 502s I had in it.

A whipple would make it perfect, but the wife says cool the jets and we'll get a 31ss in the future :)

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

If your looking for a 26 I have a 1998 w/Merc 525sc w/Bravo Performace Drive 208hr I love it its been Great to me and the family I just put it on the market. Its time to go bigger..By the way I have owned it since new....Cruise @ 40 Top 75 (light load)

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

02 500efi its/xr 74gps w/perfect cond. ie:2-3' footers slight headwind w/da current 1/4 tank solo!

my old ride!!!

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

Blaze nice prowler! :drink:

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

thanx----sold it for a fast cat!!!!!!!!!

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

Blaze How do you like outboard power,I am starting to think that way....Reason I ask you went from BB to eggbeater..

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

great boat with the ITS setup... but I'd rather hear the everyday numbers - my boat did 85 behind my Jeep a couple times. :drink:

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

Kidding you not. We towed the boat back from VA Beach to Tampa averaging 75. My friend blasted it up to 90 on one pass where I told him he'd better slow it down - I admit it was pretty stupid. My Grand Cherk. has the HEMI in it and it can pull.

Not trying to insult but I've been on this board since it first started and have seen the claims for top ends with either a qualification or straight BS (not accusing here mind you - don't know you or the boat). Even with the 496 HO I have in the Sonic, it's not everyday 65. If you have to rely on number of people, amount of fuel, and temp your boat really can't be considerd making that speed everyday IMHO. We forget that we don't run FTilt all day long anyway. Most of the time I have gas, beer/ice, abd a ton a friend to go to the closest beach.

Hell - I like to brag too - it's only sporting, but with the Tampa average high of 90-95 and humidty, I've only seen 65 once so far.

Anyway - the HP 500 is the set up as you say and you really can do (whatever) top speed in just about any conditions. I've had this boat for 3-4 weeks now and you can't go wrong with it's solid ride. I had it our yesterday in 2-3 and ran it for what it could do with no worries. When I "downsized" I specifically went for the Prowler knowinf full well it was not the fastest. If you want faster - go for a Fountain or lighter Baja and then pay for it in the rough (now I'll have fountain guys after my a$$) :eek:

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

i had to post on this topic.my 260 prowler runs 65 mph(gps) at 4000 rpm's, :D red line at 6000 rpm's and knock on wood my plain old 1998 bravo drive is doing fine.i bought the boat new and would get air every chance i could,for the first 2 years,until i up'd the hp more.now i baby it up on plane with them slow a$$ trim tabs.mine run's the same everyday,aleast a 1/2 a tank of fuel(super only)cooler full ,2 people,water,tools,gear,big sub box in engine compartment,never ran it light.

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

Prowler,
65MPH at only 4000RPM? You must have a HUGE prop under that puppy - what power you running?

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

right now i'm running a non-labbed bravo-1 30 pitch.hp unknown 420 mega-blower.

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

I removed the turbulator rings on the 496 exhaust and installed the 12x16 tabs. Sounds a little better, not sure if I gained anything really, just a short rip out to the key and back. 2-3 chop so it ran a little looser - felt like a tad more rpm. Tabs reduced the porpoise a bit also. The polished exhaust elbows look good along with the polisehd corsas too. I removed the stock 496 cover and replaced it with a shiny ss one from Trick Marine. Adding tread brite this weekend. I might be the smallest and slowest boat on the Key West run this year but my engine compartment will shine!

BTW - any 26's with the 496HO running a Bravo 26 instead of the 24?

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

Shooter, I doubt that a 26 would work on a 496 HO, I'm running a labbed 24 with my 525 EFI and it seems to be the best over-all prop so far. I tried a 26 that was a little bit rashed up and could only turn it 5000 and lost about 2 MPH so I'ld have to say it won't help you. Steve

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

Thanx, figured that. I have a lab finished prop by throttleup (24), but only the edges look to be ground. In the past, I have had props done and the whole prop appears worked. Definately thicker too. I wonder if the edge was just sharpened...

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

Can't believe a 24b1 on a 525efi????????
I ran a 26lab b1 low 70's at 5200-- 500efi!!!!

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

I don't know about terribly wrong. I've only got about 5 hrs. on the motor so far. The 24 Bravo I was labbed by B-Blades and only gained 100 RPM over stock. I wanted to run that prop when I had the 502 MPI in the boat but I never sent it back to Brett because I was going to switch to the 525. I haven't been doing alot of WOT runs due to break in. The 26 I tried was of questionable condition and only pulled 5000 RPM. The 24 pulls 5400-5500 RPM ( tach accuracy ? ) but remember the lab job only increased the RPM by 100 over the stock prop. I think a good 26 pitch with a good lab job should be the best prop. By the way I do not have the ITS system and am also running an XZ drive with DWP. Hey, I'ld love to be running 75, and maybe I will next season with the right prop but I picked up 11 MPH so far over the 502 MPI and it's a completely different boat with the 525! Steve

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

Hey Prowler , How many rpms can you pull that 30 pitch ?
What speeds are you seeing WFO .
I have a friend who bought a 26 this summer with a 500 efi and it runs well but looking for more , how much speed can this hull handle ?

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

last year i was running it 5800 rpm's @ 85 mph everyday anytime.over the winter i put another set of heads on,but i never got to to get a flat out run with it.rain, crap floating,nobody was out with any fast boats that wan't to play,the cruise speed went up alot i could run around all day at 60-65 mph.the hull up to 80 mph is fine over 80 when you start trimming it out it feels real light the slightest wake and the bow is in the air,and that's not really with alot of trim,you have to keep a finger on the trim button.over the winter i get the 30 pitch labbed and see what happens.would i do it again,hell yeh :D .hope this helps,dave

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

Although I run a stock 500efi w/its, kplanes,internal steering etc.. I experience the same exact thing with speeds over 50mph. Unless the water is dead calm I always have to have my kplanes partially down to prevent the boat from getting airborn. If you lift them completely up and hit the slightest wake the boat launches straight up uncontrollably. When this first started happening my mechanic suspected that the "x" dimension was incorrect. Although we could not be certain it wasn't I think this behavior is inherent with Prowlers (heavy ass end?). Going to try some different props this year.
I've come to live with this unless someone has any othe suggestions.
Had a 272 Baja prior to my Prowler (procharged, balance and blue-printed 502, simple trim tabs, no external steering or extension box) the boat ran 82 mph, never used my tabs, boat never launched and got "squirrely" when you hit any kind of wake. Go figure. The Baja, however, couldn't hold a candle to the Sonic's looks though.

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

Steve for a suggestion , (I had the same problem and I experimented) I marked on my indecators neutral position for Tabs (running k's) and drive. I run at cruising tabs at neutral and drive tucked in almost all the way runs nice and level and smooth ( w/running four blade@ 40-50mph ) and the faster you go ajust up accordingly.Hope this is some help to you...

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

i try'd a 1" drive spacer and the only thing it did was make it harder to get on plane,so if anything a shorter drive i think would be the thing to try.you would think that sonic would try something and let the owners know so they would be happy and get people that want to trade there boats in for a bigger sonic rather than a different boat all together.dave

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

The only thing "incorrect" about the X-dimensions, is that they weren't set for these hulls to run in excess of 80mph in broken water. You can shorten the lower(raise the X) so you can keep a neutral trim angle on the drive, and have reduced hydro-dynamic drag. Essentially, the way you're set up now, you're over-trimming to get the drive out of the way and generate speed; but you're pushing the bow to the sky. If you optimize the boat to run FAST, then you'll compromise other areas of performance, like the ability to stay on plane at lower speeds, and possibly your time-to-plane.

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

Manufacturers typically try to rig their hulls to provide the best all-around performance, under a variety of conditions. Unless, of course, you specify that you want a top-speed set-up with lots of hp...and then they can build that boat too.

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

Hay Prowler what motor do you have?

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

Hugh so what your saying is for top speed on a 26 set aside motor is a shorty drive setup.

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

I'm saying that neutral drive trim(or just a little positive trim), is going to keep the boat flatter and more controllable through waves and wakes...instead of launching skyward, the boat will tend to raise and lower on a level plane(ideal trim), thus riding more smoothly and more in control. What good is sheer hp when you're unable to keep the boat in the water. I've run a couple of higher hp Prowlers, and they're similar in that once you start throttling aggressively(because you're coming out of the water), you become your own speed governor because you can't stay in it. It's just like dragging your tabs(not you...anyone)...you're scrubbing-off speed to keep the hull in the water.

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

I agree 100% .Hp is no good if the boat can't handle it and it dosnt matter what boat it is.What were the high power set ups you ran(Prowlers)over 500hp.

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

525/ITS & Unknown hp 502EFI w/pro-charger spinning a 30" Bravo 4bl(probably around 550 pshp).

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

And how did they handle at speeds and at what speed ? the 502/550 what was the drive set up.Its great to get feed back because as you know there is not alot of high power sonics around like other brands /MFG's.

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

Bill, the drive set-up was pretty much like yours. I think it was a '99 boat..regular B1 w/steering. It had excellent cruise speed and got on-plane nicely.

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

Hugh I was wondering when you would realize it was me. How are you? hope all is well. Glade to hear you guys back with Sonic again.Sonic should be greatful to have all of you at Offshore Perf. on their side.

Re: 26 Prowler performance
 

We're all real excited....the CSI guys are real "boat-guys". The new product has alot of subtle changes, compared to the pre-'05 stuff. Sonic lovers especially, will be able to appreciate the upgrades...and there's more-on-the-way. Have a great Holiday, Bill!
Hugh