True, they should make it an option then.

You know i don't thank that was necessary. Fever Mike knows how i feel we have talked many times. And the only person that calls me down is my father and that is not you friend.

I think it is great that Velocity offers staggered twins in the 36'+ boats. If I were considering twins, I would want a staggered set-up for the better balance, speed and engine access. Maybe post a pic of what each size boat looks like with staggered option and info of what ballpark performance gain might be expected on the website? A lot of people might not know about that option.

Speaking of the website, I like all the pictures of each boat size that have been added recently and there is good info on equipment and some options. Some models still need a pic of the engine bay though--very important area

Changes needed,look I have a friend with a Hustler 344 and when he bought it ,it had a all fiberglass engine hatch and after almost slipping and busting my a** on more than one occassion as well as many other people he decided to have the factory sun pad installed for 2800.00 and it still sucks giant gorrilla balls and he says that he wishes he had a sun pad like a Velocity,dont change it unless it is a race boat.The number one thing is Quality control,making sure the things that could go overlooked do not get overlooked because they are the things that stay with you forever.I personally do not care about Steves show boats and think he needs to get back to the heart and soul of his product/PERFORMANCE/SPEED/and AFFORDABILITY.These ideas like lets add a bunch of BS to our boats will not and can not survive in a world of today where people can get what they want in any configuration they want it in is available.I will stand by this statement that any boat with the same power,weight,and length will not and I mean will get spanked in all water conditons is a true statement,and until someone proves me wrong,and alot have tried I will stand behind that statement but know back to the TASK at hand.Qualitycontrol and factory assistance,Velocity GM call me 302 293 0487 and we can go from there

Not much mention of the VR1 here, but when we were looking to upgrade from our 22 Velocity, the VR1 fit our family's tastes perfectly - a hot rod that is also functional and stylish. The integrated swim platform really adds to the visual appeal and is very functional for the way we use our boat. Unfortunately our northern boating climate requires a windshield, but I think it integrates pretty well on the VR1.

A future redesign consideration would be the air intake ducts. Although very effective at collecting and directing air to the engine, they also collect water from the surface of the deck. I bought rubber plugs to seal them to keep rainwater out while trailering or whenever the boat is stored on the boat hoist. Not a big deal using the plugs, but not having the ducts flush to the deck surface, or using a version of the NACA shaped ducts like the 22 has would be an improvement.

One other nit - the factory canvas cover doesn't have a flap to cover the vent openings on the transom to keep rainwater out during trailering and storage. I had a canvas shop modify my cover with flaps and snaps.

As you can see I'm stretching to find suggestions to offer!

It's all good. Mikes280 and I get along just fine.

I'll be in Charlotte early spring next year. See ya then.

Fever Mike:

I have a 2000 390 with 500EFIs. Last year I ran it from Key West to St. Pete Beach after the Key West Poker Run. The conditions were 4 to 5s with winds gusting to 30 knots quartering head winds and it was rock solid! Just because a boat is light does not make it a potato chip. Slabbing on more glass for strength does not work as well as good materials and engineering. I know you are a Fountain fan and know "Liquid Thunder" a 38 Fountain in our club (OPBA). We run together all the time in all conditions and I can pull away from him anytime I want.

As far as bashing stepped hulls.. I think they are fast and as safe as any hull when driven correctly.

Look forward to seeing you at the Spring OPBA Poker run. (I also like your rig.)

Frank

My first Velocity was a 41' I had Steve build back in 96. I met Steve in the fall of 95 on my first trip to the factory. Steve is the reason I bought the boat, he's a stand up no bs type of guy. I had been looking at a 36 Apache but after sitting with Steve for a few hours I was sold. Actually went to the factory to look at the 35 but the pricing was right on the 41. As for the boat, I was looking for old school hard core. Told Steve no swim platform, cut the transom for Bravos but give me enough room in the engine compartment for transmissions and blower pulleys. Cabin, leave it empty just throw in a few extra bulkheads. I made my own windshield out of the 12" windshield that came with it, I cut it down to about 4" and it keeps all the wind off us. The 12" windshield had a flip at the top endge (it went vertical). I wish the deck was 2' longer, we do a lot of offshore running and I would like to be back a little further in the cockpit. I also like the side by side bolsters, although my son was 1 when I took delivery, he has been driving for 3 years while I am on the throttles. Love this feature the most. As for Mike's comments, I have no, none, zero cracks in my 41 after more that 11 years beating it up in the Atlantic off the coast of NJ. Like him I have also seen many Fountains come apart, so its a weak argument.
I love my 41 even now, over all other V bottoms out there.

I agree with a lot of what's been said. A lot of what's on the new boats looks like a "bolted on after thought". I hate the look of the "pods". You need to sweat the details in the rigging.

The most important change, teach people have to drive them. Almost all the Velocities I see running are way over trimmed. You over trim the boat and it rides like crap, trim it right and you're run the big snotty stuff all day long.

Wow, you guys have pretty much covered it all. I haven't browsed around the forums for a while and all I can say is that I don't have much to add. I think it's great that some of the other brand owners have taken the time to comment on this thread. But as far as Velocities being (potato chips) Well if you have a bag of potato chips or a bag of thick, heavy sourdough pretzels: if you stomp on them they both break. It just so happened that Velocities were easy to stomp in the early and mid 1990's with moderate power. Compared to the competion they were affordable and very fast which also put them in the hands of some novice operators. As HYPER said they are drivers boats, and that's one of the reasons we love them.

Well said, and I might add, when you drive a boat you become a better driver. Not asleep at the wheel.