26' twin I/O speed
 

Guys, I've been looking for a 23-26' twin engine boat and ran across this:

http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/12963

Seems about perfect for what I want, but the top speed of 60 mph with 560 hp seems rather low and is a deal-breaker. Is that typical? Or is it a poor setup?

Looks like large-hub cleaver props. I don't have any experience with I/O's, but it seems like you'd want some Bravo's or even Tempests on there to get some more bow-lift.

Thanks,
Mike

The TRS's and trannys add a lot of weight. My boat with 350 mags and alphas bumps 70...an o/b boat w/twin 250s should be in the mid/upper 70's....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7keni7oAIUY
i'm the i/o being shot by the TRS boat, and being dusted by the o/b boat....
btw, sutphen hulls are the best you'll find in that size...all things can be modified..
c

C- I agree with you 100%

It is not the boat to buy if your looking for top speed. Just take into consideration everything else the boat has to offer for the $. Not going to make a sales pitch, the specs speak for themselves. I understand if top speed is priority #1 and/or if you have an higher budget, but if we are talking about $18,000 boats here.......

So, humor me. . . if I were comparing the 26' twin I/O Sutphen (560 hp, 60 mph, 1.3 mpg) to a 24' twin O/B Superboat (400 hp, 80 mph, 2.1 mpg) that's a few thousand $ cheaper, what are the selling points of the 26' Sutphen?

Again, I have limited experience with this size/style of boat, so don't assume I know something that may seem obvious to you.

The ride will be better in rough water simply do to the weight and lower center of gravity of the sutphen. The sutphen has a larger cockpit and cabin. Other than that it's a tough comparison, two different rigs. I am not sure where you plan on running the boat, going 70-80 mph in the ocean in a 24' is not an all day event for most. I refuse to start a sutphen vs. superboat argument here. (esp. TRS vs outboard). It is what it is, happy boat shopping!

The Sutphen is by far a larger and better riding boat.

The selling point on this boat are the new parts and equipment. I do not know anything about other boats you are considering, but i know its easy to look around a used boat (esp. in this price range) and see and easy $1000-2000 needed in replacement parts. Open an engine hatch, basic stuff like exhaust and pumps, hoses, or fuel tanks, adds up quick. Hows the trailer? Interior shot? there is $2500 easy for either of those. Or whats the lower units of those high revving outboards look like? Maybe you know all this, but I have been there!

I had a 24 superboat clone w/ single i/o...great boat, wicked durable, where do you boat, what are the conditions like? Sutphen=bigger water, more safely.

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

I currently run a 21' Checkmate Pulsare BR with a 300 HPDI Yamaha that goes 90 mph and sips fuel, but beats you up in waves. I currently do about 50/50 rivers/lakes, but I'd like to start doing some offshore. Goals for my next boat are:

1) Rough water ability - one of the local rivers is heavily bulkheaded with a lot of traffic. It gets rough. Plus I'd like to be safer in our large, shallow lakes and be able to go offshore.
2) I'd like a small cuddy to get some shelter in rain showers and maybe a very occasional overnight.
3) Twin engines in case of failure, so I can still get home.
4) Fuel economy. I know any step up in size will result in more fuel usage, but I'd rather not double my fuel consumption.
5) Speed. I'd still like to be in the ~80 mph range.

I really don't mean to start a debate, but I'd like to understand what I'm getting into.

I have found that almost any boat you look at you will have to make a compromise on something unless you have deep pockets. In this case you get e 3 out of the 5. This boat doesn't use that much fuel either. It will use more than your Yamaha but that's expected going from a 6 to 16 cylinders. Any way further down the road you could drop a couple of 383s and you would be closer to your speed goal.

If you want to see it let me know. It will also be at the CT River run on the 16th.

Boat is listed on the oso classifieds as well.

That about sums it up...

I should be there, too...but i'm not listed ....yet.

Compare Transom Designs
 

I think the 24 Superboat has an awesome running surface and is a well built boat but inspect carefully and compare the transoms of the any used OB Superboat to an OB Sutphen. You will NEVER have issues with the Sutphen IO or OB. Ever wonder why you see aftermarket transom bracing on Superboats with twin OB's? Call Coen and ask him to build you a 24 with twin OBs and he will immediately tell you don't do it. I'd call Rich Jr and ask him about getting rid of those TRS drives. He's done it before and knows the issues. TRS with transmissions are wicked heavy. I believe twin Alpha drives would work the best and give you a significant performance boost but Alpha or Bravo have different transom height cutouts than the TRS. Good luck.

24 sb don't do 80 with twin 200s, a banana boat will do low 70s with twins. hell JC said they were made for singles. good friend has a sb 24 with 575hp and he can't stay with me when its rough in the ocean me in my 24ol 650hp. boxers 26 sutphen did 98gps with a single 800hp motor. if the boat has trs drives and old style props its a dog. you need rev4s by merc or mirage props it should run 68 to 70. theres noway a 24sb is close to the ride of a 26 sutphen. and for mileage please you will get better than 1.3. thats what ernies 31 sut with 950hp gets.

bravo set up would work nice, you can get a used twin set up 3grand up on here . a friend did 2 weeks ago. you could get a pro to do your transom holes filled and recut, it cost me 2 grand. to have 4 exhaust holes and part of the transom cut out refilled ,and cut for a konrad drive ace drive. at the boat shows they sell 383 320hp motors for 3500. you will love the ride of the 8ft beam boat over a 7ft any day,thats why DON A, gave away his 7ft mold back in the 70s he hated it. he built a 24 x 8 mold for charlie at Banana and himself.

Does anyone know how fast this boat ran once Ritch was done with it? I think it has/had a 500 EFI in it, but not sure.

That was originally Ernies race boat that did the 98mph with the big motor and was the first boxer race boat. Richie jr got hold of the boat, put a new deck on it and did a total revamp then sold it to a guy in NJ. Ernie bought the boat back at then end of last year with the 525 in it and is now in the process of making it "Boxer" again. We believe the boat ran around 78+mph with the stock 525. Pretty good for a non step boat. It will make it's debut next year on the water once Ernie is all done with the redo.

That will be a sick ride can't wait to see it out on the water.

That's right - here is the motor.

Your friend needs driving lessons. :party-smiley-004:

Back to the point, as already stated, there's always a trade off somewhere when looking at boats. Sutphen is larger, heavier boat. A 24 sb single I/O will give you 4 out of 5 on your list. I had an I/O 24 sb, ran in the upper 70's w/425HP. It also got 3-4 MPG. You will see a big diff. in the rough water capability compared to what you have now.

I agree. I probably could get more speed if I went to rev 4s. Right now it's currently running quicksilver solid hub cleavers.

the new motor should put it over a 100. and the same for the newer 31. if I got it right Ernie is upgrading on both. unless its just shop talk. that man can drive:coolcowboy:.

24 super vs 26 sutphen

The sutphen is a whole different animal, looked at both and the build quality of the sutphen was way better IMO.

its just a more solidly built boat too.

I like super boats but there just not the same thing as a 26 sut.

they are what they are which is a step between a 20 sut and a 26 sut.