First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

What a boat!! Let's see - got back Tuesday, graphics applied Friday, boated all day Sat, Sun in 87F no less!

The Boat is too awesome - really still learning the tabs and drive settings, but saw 70.0 on GPS Sun, and she had room to go yet! Knifes through our local chop, this is the PERFECT boat for our waters. Everything is running great! More to come soon!!!!

Miles of smiles - already gone over 100 miles and the fuel burn is easily 3+ mpg!!

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

A few more.....

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Looking real good.
How's the space in the rear bench?
Room for only 3?
Do you have any cockpit / cabin pics?
What are you running for power?

Enjoy that nice Texas weather. :D

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Thanks Stormrider!

The rear bench seats 3, with molded in arm rests/steps for boarding (good thinking SB!!)

Space under the seat is good, stowed all ropes, small fenders would fit, but not the larger ones I carry. All tools, safety equip, light poles, etc etc.

Will get some interior pix soon, though my cabin is unfinished - I'll be building that this winter or next.

Power is the single 496 Mag HO with std 26p four blade bravo prop. John, Rick, Jcap - you were all right on the tabs - this boat you can "set 'em and forget 'em" until you get comfy with the handling - she performs well with level tabs and then as you trim it up, oh man........

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Your graphics came out super! How much did you end up spending on them?

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

The boat looks great! Is your engine hatch fiberglass or is it padded vinyl?

Dave

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Keith, She Is A Beauty, Nice Graphics. 70 Mph With Room Left On Stick. Let Me Know Top End Speed When Broken In.i Put Same Mill In My 30. The Best Of Luck. Gary

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Keith,

She looks awesome !!!! Good luck

Rick

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

K...
Looks even better than in CT. The graphics came out fantastic.
You guys, and Pat, made a heck of an escort for a lone Sutphen.
Glad the power/hull set up is so efficient. You guys really tore it up earlier in the month. I think you've got me sold. Now, if I can convince the wife!
C
PS: Thanks for the "Texas Tokens" you left on my hood! :drink:

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

boat looks great !!! those are pretty impressive gps #s! glad to here you made it home safe after that terrible trailer incident :eek: ps. i like the shark!!! :D heres mine :drink:

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Thanks all - still smiling! I am sooooo pleased. Read also my post on data points for safe trailering hints!!

Answers to questions:

OH-ZONE: Graphics cost: $1550 total and took 7 hours to apply - they cut over a hundered pieces, airbrushed the name and then covered those in clear - really awesome work. Me and the graphics guy did all the design. 5 year warranty with expected life up to 12 yrs (8 is typical)!

Dave M - the hatch cover is hard, may pad it next year, as long as it's hard fiberglass, girls must wear thongs to keep from sliding ;).

Bajababi - thanks - keep watching the posts for updates - Texas has a lot of boating season yet!

FX-10, what can I say - thanks again, but I need some (minor) gel repair - see my other post on data points. Will call JC.

Christian Gott - Thanks for helping us out up there - your boat is awesome, don't ever play it down!! She's a beaut!

Pat M- I tried to reach you this past weekend but couldn't, I know you were tied up with the family stuff, but please let me know if you get here with some time again, and that goes for any other SB'ers!

PS - FX-10; Let JC know I contacted the guy in Arlington Tx that is interested in a SB, he is going to come take a ride in the next few weeks, so I'll try to sell him!!!!

Keith

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Thanks Keith..
There is, however, nothing like the smell of fresh fibreglass.
BTW...you guys took a bunch of pics, any of the group running?
C

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Awesome ride, Great Graphics ...Good luck with her!

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

krakmeup, one more question, do you find that the black canopy's are to hot to the touch if you touch them with bare skin? I figure being in Texas, your the one to ask, cause I do like the way they look. And thank you for sharing with us on what you spent on the graphics. They look WAY COOL with the boats in the water.

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

She is a Beauty Krakmeup! :D
I think you made a great decision going with all white gel.
The graphics look great and you can change things up every few years.

Sorry I missed your call Keith, I didn't bring my cell...
It was a world-wind trip: We flew into Houston Friday night, my little sis got married Saturday night, we cleaned up Sunday, and flew back to Hartford Monday morning. :drink:

A shot of Kelly and I...
She's a Texas babe :cool:

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Hey Krak I am a little late but that is one sweet@$$ boat :cool:

Glad you can enjoy yours, I am still dealing with my mess :mad:

Best of luck and I will be looking for the shark on Clear Lake :drink:

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Cool!! Glad to see you posting!

BTW - Second fuel tank, 2.5 mpg under heavy use again, per the GPS - AWSOME.

Did not get WOT runs in while empty - will do that in the next few weeks (damn, it takes a while to burn up 80-100 gallons! LOL)

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

80-100gallons? I'll suck that tank dry in 3 hrs. Come on Krak...stop *****footing around :D :D :D

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

How much rafting up is involved here :drink:

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Hit The Gas, ( Use It, Run It, Burn It.) Still Waiting For Gps Wot Light Load Numbers. Gary

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

LOL!!

Geesh - how many of you are still boating this time of year!?! Ha, come on - 80 gals at 2.5mpg = ~200 miles. Maybe it's time to head for Cancun.........

Rain forecasted for this weekend, so who knows - I'll try!!!

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Rain ? Stop , Its Not Snow. Need True Gps, Empty Boat. Otherwise 500 Efi For Me. Cancun!!!!!! Let Me Know ? We Will Meet You There!!!!!!!!! Gary

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Gary -
500 efi??? If you got that kinda money, pull dat trigger!! The SB is not going to see huge numbers above what I've already reported just by running light - what is your goal? 75, 80, 100?? Speed takes hp which takes $$. I'm happy for now running lo to mid 70's, but I'm sure that could change any time.....I'll try to get empty WOT numbers before Santa drops by.

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Keith. Spoke To Jc, $14,000 More For 500efi Over 496ho. Speed, I Am Very Aware Of Hp Game, And All Costs For Top End...( Still Have 232 Baja With 454 Worked On.) Mph Does Cost $. Anyway I Was Hoping To See 74-75 Mph With 496ho. With Gps. $14,000 Is A Lot Of Trips To Cancun For Two !!! ( Santa 1 500efi,,,,i Mean 1 525 Efi ).........gary

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Keith,
Did you get my message ?

Rick

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Rick - whoops, yes now!! Cool understood will do, thanks! Might take me a little while - work is crazee!..

Also - BTW, a friend (thanks JimG!) found a site with info on the engine lift - they make a bolt-on collar to serve as a mechanical stop for around $20!! Too cool! Gotta send that to Iggy next too....

K

Gary - I hear ya! I'll get the WOT numbers as soon as I can - no one wants to know more than me!! :)

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

So did you get out this weekend? I just got in from Louisiana :drink:

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Superbabi...14K more now...you know you won't regret it... so seriously do it. You can never have enough h.p. You will cruise at 70 instead of "hitting" it. Full tank or empty...these hulls doesn't matter all that much when you got ample power pushing it. It's worth doing it now... when its brand new... even though it drives up the "price" of the boat "out the door".(That new 300X of mine was 20K to go so far 6mph faster...)

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Bash, I Would Love To Go 525 Efi. And Be Done With ( Speed / Hp. Wish Lists, Dream Lists, A Little Faster, Top End , Etc ...it Never Stops. All You Guys Know That. ) $14,000 .. 500, $18,000.. 525, $2500.. Twin Ram Steering, $4000 Extra Strong Hull Lay Up. ( All #s As Per Jc ). I Wish My Pockets Were Deeper. Do The Math, I Will Really Be Up There. If I Only Sold That Damn Baja!!!!!!!!anyway, Let's See What Happens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gary.

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

45 horsepower for $14,000? :eek: :eek:

I'd go 496 Mag(375hp) for a year, then supercharge it... :D

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

bglz 42,,,,,HP GAIN ON 375HP , I BELIEVE WILL NEED BRAVO XR UP GRADE, AGAIN $ 4OOO OVER BRAVO 1. SUPERCHARGING, I NEVER WAS BIG ON WITH STOCK GM BIG BLOCKS. ALSO WHAT IS THE COST OF SUPERCHARGING ? I THINK SUPERCHARGING BEATS THE S#%T OUT OF MOTOR. OH WELL. WHAT TO DO ????????????????

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Do a search on supercharged motors on this site. There are some pretty reliable systems out there now. Low boost, baby the drive and you'll be fine. I run a stock Bravo behind 600 hp (na), and have had no problems.

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

-75h.p & higher rev limit
-HP500 is 500 h.p. Forged crank & forged pistons
-496 H.O. is 425h.p. cast crank & cast pistons

As far as "babying" the drive........come on.

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Bglz 42, How Do You Baby Drives? I Boat Jersey Shore. 2-4 Footers Are Not Uncommon. This Boat Will Have A Lot Of Air Time. I Think Xr Is Good Choice For All That Load On Drive. Bash, 500 Hp, Do You Mean 500 Efi Because 500 Efi Is Rated At 470 Hp At Prop...anyway, All This Talk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!i Just Want To Go Boating!!! Gary

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Gary, however you choose to power it, you're getting a fine boat! Definitely the boat I'd buy if I were buying new... :D

Jim

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Bglz 42,,,,,,thank You, Very Nice Comment. I Know I Will Love This 30 Y2k!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gary.

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Hey Guys, I think those blue motors are a big waste of money.
An extra 14K or 18K??? :rolleyes:
If you have extra $$ burning a hole in your pocket Bajababi, have FX10 and JC build her stronger, rig her with twin piston stearing, and an X drive.
I like bglz42's idea of a 375HP/496 with a 3.5psi procharger a year later.
Another idea is to go 496HO then change out the heads for an extra 60HP a year or two down the road.
Either way you will have the same or more power without the blue motor price tag... :D
The new 496 with have more and more aftermarket hop-ups vary soon. :cool:
I have had a number of conversations with engine builders and mechanics about the new 496 engines.
Yes, these new engines have cast cranks but they can handle up to 600HP. The HP3 525HP dynos at like 565... :D
Yes, the cast pistons are not great for blower applications but I think they will live for a while with low boost. They just can't let them run lean... :eek:

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Pat - I like your idea too on the heads upgrade. I'm thinking a lot these days as the initial one year warranty ticks by. My goals are changing as I see how I really use this boat - all I want is dependability and the capability to run with most of my buddies. Many of them have twins, doing as much as maybe the low 80's, very achievable with some of the mods you all are talking here, and with only one engine. I will most likely look at a combo of both - do some head work and a pro or whipple charger at lower boost. Add hydraulic steering (dual) and I can do most of the work for around $10K. I'll then be running in the mid 80's, on pump fuel and still be looking at another several hundred engine hours. I do have to slow down though as I pass the fuel station to wait for the twin guys, :)

Re: First Splash - One Happy SB Owner
 

Hey Keith,
Add that twin piston steering as soon as you can. Even if just the "add on".
Your boat will handle better and be much safer. That stock tiller arm style will loosen up quicker than you think... :eek: