it's awesome how boats/engines can be rejuvinated and made stronger...with know-how of course:coolcowboy:

Coming right along.. couple of pics from today:

lookin' good!

what indications from the boat made you do the stringer strengthening?

Had a few things that had been bothering me... found a screw for the battery tray that had dimpled the bottom outward and some stress cracks. Also, the battery platform front corner had cracked the glass matting... this was in the same area as the screw. I was mainly concerned with the screw and battery platform (I usually don't get too worked up over stress cracks). I had to glass some holes shut in the transom, so I planned on repairing everything else at the same time... just didn't realize how much work was going to be needed to actually fix it. Oh well, thats the way it goes.

Also- kinda interesting side note... my speed has never been as good as when GORT owned her. I've run 78 and Gary was running 83 (I think). We're all wondering if the flex has alot to do with it.. the theroy is it develops some hook at speed. It should be interesting to see what it does after its all repaired... the motor is still in fantastic shape. I'm adding quite a bit more weight to her though, so who knows? Glasswork, 2nd battery, full hyd steering, bigger tabs.. I figure it all adds up.

My 97 24’ Superboat had a hook in the area above the strake out to the chine on both sides. I had cracking issues along the strakes so the hook could have developed over time. Your repair should solve any issues in this area for sure.
The lower part of the bottom seemed to be straight on my boat. I think at speed the boat is high enough in the water that above the strake is not touching. My Super was fast for the power I had in her; 415HP/502MPI. With a labbed 28pB1 she ran 75mph any day of the week with a normal load and running real light she ran just shy of 77. With a labbed 27pM+ I saw over 78 on my GPS a good number of times. The 3 blade was about 2mph faster on top for me.
What prop are you running? I think Gary saw his best speeds with the original 25p Mirage that came on the boat from the factory. With a 500HP/454 your boat should run 80+ no problem even with the extra weight…

+1

I saw 80+ on my GPS a few times w/425 HP. 77-78 most days w/2 people and full tank.

I'm running my best speeds with a 25P Mirage+... the 77.7 I've seen was with 3/4 tank of fuel/ light load (2 People, little gear). I mainly run a 23P Rev4 for my all arounder.. it runs 75 consistantly with a heavy load.

I did run an old style 25Mirage that wasn't labbed for a weekend at Cumberland.. not as good for me as the 25+.. wouldn't carry the bow as well.


Also the 454s torque isn't that great (502ft.lbs).

From this morning:

Did he apply the Gel then sanded the new area?

Looks like you got the two holes all plugged up also! Great job!


can you give us an outside transom shot?