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.

Sonicator,

What is your engine package and prop. I may have some info that you would be interested in.

Also Mark in S.O., GREAT area, I traveled there several times this summer for both day and overnight trips.

502 Mag efi with bravo 1 4 blade prop (don't remember the pitch and it is in dry storage it is as it came from the factory). I have the short tabs on it and bravo 1 outdrive.

Sonicator,

I had the 496 H.O. 425hp/versus the 415hp of the 502, but in any case had the following experience. The boat was factory equipped with a 24" 4 blade, BUT would only turn 4500 rpm's. After considerable contact with the factory (J.Ross) the dealer, and Merc., they all thought a drop down in pitch would add considerably more top end. My confusion was a drop in pitch, to increase r.p.m.s would net the same speed. However, the following year (fall 0f 2003) I noticed the factory boats were using the 22" props. After speaking to Merc. at the shows, here was the key. "If the prop change would net 200 more r.p.m.s, the engine would then give another 200-300 r.p.m.s, by getting in the torque curve it was designed." Hard to believe, but they were right. I simply had my 24" worked to decrease the pitch, went to 5050 r.p.m.s, speed went from 62mph, to 67-68 (gps). Only ran the boat one time after the change, but from my experience, and all sources, make sure the prop allows the engine to turn very close to the top allowed r.p.m. range. What a difference. This also may explain the different speeds posted by some of the other owners. Moral to the story, "turn um, don't lug um!"

cigarette 30 that's the same results i got from my 1998 26 sonic with 502 efi , it came from factory with 23p mirage plus 3 blade and turned 4800rpm wot had prop labbed for 5,000rpm and boat ran 68-70gps. now i tried 24 p bravo 1 with new exhaust , k+n airfilter, msd ignit, ecu reprog ron az speed and marine , and adj. fuel reg. boat runs 4800 rpm at 66mph gps , plan on labbing prop for 300 rpm ( rev limiter set @ 5200) should get 70gps hopefully . possibly going to pro charge next if i don't get bigger boat .

Thanks for the info. I will check into having the prop worked. What was your cruising speed after you had the prop worked?

Cigarette 30,
I assume you went from sonic 260 to a cigarette 30. If so do you like the 30ft or would you recommend holding out for the 35 or 38?

Sonicator,

Your assumption is correct.

There was a world of difference in the 26' Prowler and the 30' Mystique. However, the 26' includes the 2' of swim platform, and the Cig is close to 31' true. The 5' made a big difference in ride.

Not driving the 35' or 38' yet, I am afraid to say I probably should have "held out", I am shopping already.
The Mystique is a great boat, and the workmanship is incredible.

As evidenced by my checking the Sonic site, I still think a lot of their boats and fellow owners, consider them family. I don't see your address, mine is not posted yet either, but if you are ever in the Maryland area, your welcome to ride or drive the boat.

Cigarette 30,
I will take you up on that offer next summer. I live in Northern VA. Thanks for all the info

Sonicator. Where in NoVa? I am in Woodbridge. You
coming to the party? Click below!

Cig 30, YOU TOO!!

(That pic of my boat leaping was on the Potomac not far from Woodbridge.)

cigarette 30 who did your prop work ?

26 sonic,

Local company, basically took out some cup and thinned the blades. I would recommend Houston Prop, everyone on this site can't say enough good about them.

I am in Manassas off Davis Ford road.