260 Prowler
12-01-2018 | 08:44 AM
#11
Charter Member #1472
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 315
Likes: 8
From: upstate NY USA
outboards on a prowler? that would be interesting. I think twin big blocks would be more interesting. but I think the exhaust would be under the water with all that extra weight. probably would have to be twin small bocks, but still that would be a cool set up either way.
12-01-2018 | 09:06 AM
#12
Registered
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,470
Likes: 2,107
From: Milton, Fla!
Im converting a single I/O 25’ Checkmate to twin I/O’s and according to my math I’m only adding about 60 lbs over the weight of the single which I come up with 1100 lbs for, w/a Bravo.
Im not an I/O guy but I don’t like twin big blocks in anything under 30’.
Especially if you’re using it for a weekender in questionable conditions.
I think one serious grunt motor would do it for I/O in a Prowler.
The Kunkles (locals), are Checkmate wizards and pray to the god of Tq, not horsepower.
They just went 118 (GPS) in a single I/O 30’ Checkmate.
Theyve Been 125 in a 25’ Convincor like mine.
On the Prowlers, I think I remember the hull being the same as my 24’ w/a euro platform.
The 24’ came from a ‘1968 Donzi when 50 was fast.
They have a round keel and are a handful at speed 😉
Im not an I/O guy but I don’t like twin big blocks in anything under 30’.
Especially if you’re using it for a weekender in questionable conditions.
I think one serious grunt motor would do it for I/O in a Prowler.
The Kunkles (locals), are Checkmate wizards and pray to the god of Tq, not horsepower.
They just went 118 (GPS) in a single I/O 30’ Checkmate.
Theyve Been 125 in a 25’ Convincor like mine.
On the Prowlers, I think I remember the hull being the same as my 24’ w/a euro platform.
The 24’ came from a ‘1968 Donzi when 50 was fast.
They have a round keel and are a handful at speed 😉
outboards on a prowler? that would be interesting. I think twin big blocks would be more interesting. but I think the exhaust would be under the water with all that extra weight. probably would have to be twin small bocks, but still that would be a cool set up either way.
12-01-2018 | 10:17 AM
#14
Registered
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,470
Likes: 2,107
From: Milton, Fla!
I was raised on them and learned how to do all my own work so am spoiled that way.
My Convincor was running 82 GPS w/a 570 hp I/O and I am expecting the same w/twin 250 O/Bs.
Bonuses are:
No motor, oil, heat, smell in boat.
No drive to pay someone else to work on.
Where the motor was, is now a storage shed.
We weekend on our boat so we haul 2 fold up bikes, beach chairs, grill, dinghy etc and all goes in the hole.
We run in some skinny water too so w/motors on jack plates I can get into 18” waster.
Lastlly, and absolute blast to drive/fly!
The 24’ Sonic in the picture ran 80 GPS w/stock 250’s.
12-02-2018 | 09:40 AM
#17
Forum Regulator
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 24,210
Likes: 1,604
From: Worldwide
I had a 1999 26’ Sonic with a HP500EFI. It was a great boat, but let’s be real here on a few things:
The hull is only ~25’ long plus it has a notched transom so it’s even shorter, probably ~24’ all the way back from its original lineage.
Due to the large walkrail and “not skinny” bolsters, the pathway through the cockpit IS tight.
And same can be said for the bilge/engine compartment. The 28’ Sonic is barely bigger than the 26’ Sonic and it usually had twin SBC. (Added length was mostly the cabin). As such they are TERRIBLE to work on. A friend took the twin SBC out of a 28 Sonic and put in twin BBC 496HOs. He had to mill down the inside exhaust manifolds so they didn’t touch.
I was fortunate to end up with a 26’ Prowler for my first boat as I was in over my head in conditions a couple times and the boat saved my ass. Sometimes I wish I still had that boat.
The hull is only ~25’ long plus it has a notched transom so it’s even shorter, probably ~24’ all the way back from its original lineage.
Due to the large walkrail and “not skinny” bolsters, the pathway through the cockpit IS tight.
And same can be said for the bilge/engine compartment. The 28’ Sonic is barely bigger than the 26’ Sonic and it usually had twin SBC. (Added length was mostly the cabin). As such they are TERRIBLE to work on. A friend took the twin SBC out of a 28 Sonic and put in twin BBC 496HOs. He had to mill down the inside exhaust manifolds so they didn’t touch.
I was fortunate to end up with a 26’ Prowler for my first boat as I was in over my head in conditions a couple times and the boat saved my ass. Sometimes I wish I still had that boat.
