26 Prowler thoughts
 

How fast is a 2001 26 Prowler with 415 hp? Ride quality on great lakes? I am selling my 94 Powerquest 257 legend 350 hp. Thinking about a Prowler. The Prowler is almost a 1000# heavier-will i actually gain any speed or ride quality? The PQ runs nice on Lake MI, but would like newer boat.

My brother-in laws 26, with procharged 415 will run low 80's in flat/moderate water. Cruise 50+ @ 3000rpm. Stock I would guess high 60's.

As for the ride....in 1-2's its ok, but it does porpoise some. In anything over 2', hold onto your teeth. But then again I am spoiled by the ride of my 42. The 26 is a fun boat in the right conditions, but in the average bay conditions, I think it is a rough azz ride.

Originally had a 28 Hydro which did have major problems getting on plane & slipping off plane. Went to a bravo, solved all those problems, but ended up greanding the drive as he was out of the water more than in, and Bravo prop hooked up much better. We suspect because he stayed on throttle, prop shock to the drive caused her to go. The Hydro slipped, providing some forgivness. Needless to say, he changed his driving habits. Top speed stayed about the same, but mid range acceleration was lost somewhat going to the B1.

You will have more room in the 26 than your current ride, especially in the cabin ! Good luck.

low70,s with a 25 three blade mirage i lost a litte top end eith the bravo 1 24 4 balde but the handling on take off and turns made the boat alot more stable and fun to drive. For the size of the boat with the amenities that come standard i think this is an idel move toward more of a performance sport boat.

Good Luck my old 98 "rent money" is for sale by sonic and has new power 502hp 502.

I had a 2003 26' w 496 h.o. 425 h.p. - BEST upper 60's, normal mid 60's. When I inqired with the dealer and factory regarding the HOT BOAT article showing 68.7 they both said IDEAL conditions, 10 gals of fuel, low temp and humidity.

Just the way we normally boat!

Better plan on low to mid 60's, and as referanced, when the going gets rough, better hold on. The good news is, well buildt craft for the money, and quite a bit of room, great engine access also.

Yeah, I would plan on mid 60s tops. I have a heavy 1999 with an HP500EFI, and on a really good day, I can hit 72.

Best boat ride in that market segment though. Crushes big water.

Check out:
http://www.offshoreonly.com/gallery/...sort/1/cat/502

I had that exact setup.

Best I saw was 66 with a 3blade 25p but the 24p Bravo1 was a better running prop for all conditions.

Sydwayz is right when he says it crushes big water. Myself, velocitymike from the board and BobbyB from the board have had it in the Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico on poker runs and pleasure runs. It held up with no problems in some pretty crappy conditions.

It might porpoise some but that is only until you get the tabs set for the current water conditions and you must work the stick a little in case you get some air to save the bravo drive.

Hope this helps.

Oh and by the way, the Faria gauge will say 70plus if you take a test drive so don't get alarmed if the GPS says different.

Sydwayz, is that your sonic in the picture. New shorts would be an understatement. AWESOME

Yes, that is my Sonic, and it was quite a rush!
We were on a poker run, and I already jumped and landed in the trough of a 5 footer, and drove up it like a sheet of plywood for the pic you see. That pic was upon re-entry. We were higher at mid-jump.

Mine will do 62.5 on GPS with a full tank (4 blade prop) and 3 people plus the dog. You have to play with the tabs or it will porpoise at cruising speeds. I think it rides nice in the rough stuff for a 26 footer. I looked at several boats before purchasing the sonic. It was the best all around (I thought) for the money. Fountain, Velocity, HTM, are all faster but not as much room and I did not like the ride as much when it got rough.