Considering a 24 Superboat
 

Hi all,

Coming from a Formula 311 SR-1, we are looking to downsize and get into an older 24 Superboat, rigged with either OB or I/O.

I haven't seen too many listed for sale, so I assume that owners don't readily part with them.

How do you like yours? Is there an appreciable difference in handling characteristics between the stepped and straight hulls? Are they stable at speed?

I appreciate your thoughts.

I have had an outboard step bottom and have run a few non step outboard 24s.....they are a great boat for there size....the ride is excellent fora 24ft boat....in my opinion the step doesnt ride as good as the straight but the difference is minimum.....handling on both boats is great they have no ill handling traits.....as for speeds with a 3.0 liter 250 properly set up the step runs about 70 and the straight bottom just a couple mph slower....the boat is narrow so it can be sensitive to weight changes but nothing major......all in all they are a great boat......

I have a 96 straight bottom i/o.. boat is balanced very well and I'm pretty impressed with the handling of it. I run upper 70s with it and you do have to drive it once you run over 70, but I don't think its that bad (I came from a small outboard with a pad, so I'm used to it). One thing that took me a while to get comfortable with is the boat rolls side to side alot from waves/wakes- I'm sure its due to the narrow beam and deadrise (but it was also my first real deep v). Once you get comfortable with that its great. I run with bigger/heavier boats mostly and it keeps pace very well.

I really love my 24.. its about as small as you can get away with and still remain practical, imo. My gf and I usually spend at least two nights onboard when we are at LC and its just big enough for us and all our gear.. don't know if most people would agree, but for us its about right.:drink:

Good luck with your search!

Here are some pics to help you in your research:

more...

mr

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Many thanks for the all the replies, everyone. The boats pictured look like they run fantastic. It is the practicality and simple design that really makes the 24 attractive. Top speed is not of great concern, but a quick blast to 60 MPH is great once in a while.

From the all the research I've been doing, it certainly does look as if the 24 would be the perfect fit for our needs.

60!!!!!:eek: Thats it?

You'll need to run faster than that... its a Superboat after all!

True, but our last boat would do over 75 and I never went much beyond 55. :party-smiley-004:

I owned a '98 24 I/O for 10 years. It started out with a 454 Mag MPI (385 HP) and then I repowered with a 496Ho (425 HP). I rarely got outrun by a similar size/power boat. My boat liked to cruise around 55-60 MPH, top speed 78ish.

I think the boat has a smaller feel than other boats the same length. Although, it was awesome in rough water for it's size. It needs to be setup right though. FULL hydraulic steering, GOOD tabs, and the right prop (I/O's seem to like 4 blades).

Dislikes.....There wasn't really anything I disliked about the boat. My wife on the other hand had a few issues. Let's face it, size matters. I'm not going to tell you that it runs as good as a 30+ boat. She was not impressed with the fly by the seat of your pants ride. That's what I really enjoyed about the boat. The other thing is the cabin. Lack of headroom was the issue there.

Good Luck!

Dave, awesome pics!

60MPH cruise all day is plenty for me :)

Excellent shots!

I don't imagine that it would compare to a 30 footer, but it still seems like a nice compromise. Agreed, hydraulic steering and some stout tabs are a must.

How fast would a 24' non-step be with one of the many 420 hp/430 tq 383 small-blocks out there? I like the idea of the smaller and lighter engine - I guess I'm different that way.

I'd say around 77 MPH. Just a little extra info to ponder, the stepped 24 w/350 MPI (300 HP) ran around 68 MPH.

That's good to know. Obviously the older non-stepped hull is a lot cheaper, which is why I based by calculations on it. Thanks!

24' Superboat
 

I talked to a guy in Cape Coral, FL the other day that had a super clean 1984 24' on a 2007 aluminum tandem trailer for sale. Had 454 with Stelling exhaust, TRS drive. Was asking $18,000 but wanted to sell. I would have made him an offer if I didn't have a 47 Fountain and a 22 Velocity for sale. Call him at 239-540-4695. Name is Tom.

Thats alot of money for an TRS boat. Very heavy and very slow. Easily 5 mph slower than a bravo. You need alot of power to make up for a transmision and weight difference .

true my friends trs SB runs 74 with a 502=575hp, to the guy looking for a sb, I'll send you a pm on one.

Your talking about "Firefly"? 3 different shades of red I believe? Mayfair steering, Stellings, TRS about 550 HP...cool boat!