Hey guys! Great to see so many of you enjoying your Velocities. I just picked up a 99 Velocity 260 last Tuesday and took it out on its maiden voyage this past weekend. I like the boat, but mine is WAY underpowered (I've got the stock 454 MPI engine). I'm looking at trying to find a used 500 EFI or something along those lines, BUT before I do that I wanted to hear some thoughts on what everyone thinks about Hydraulic steering (single ram or full) and K-planes. Are you any of you running these items, and if so how much do they help? I will be running in Lake Pontchartrain (Louisiana) which is extremely rough. Before I step up to the big power I want to make sure that the boat will handle okay in the rough. Please give me any thoughts or comments you have on the effectiveness of hydraulic steering and/or k-planes on your boat. Thanks and I look forward to learning from you all!!!

-Rob

Hay Rob ! welcome to the family! Im Tom D. Velocity poker run team.My advise would be to go out and run the boat and get farmiliar with the boat (20-50 hrs) then go for bigger power.I would deffinately go for at least single ram stearing Before bigger power.Call Scott at the factory. There is no better expert on the 260 than him (world record holder with that boat ) And a good guy. GOOD LUCK !!!

Welcome to the club ... mmo jo gave you good advise. I have a 2000 280 with a whipplecharged 502Mag. Drive the boat for some hours and get used to it.

My boat came without hydraulic steering. I installed Marine machine single ram(parts from Velocity) before the engine upgrade. It is safer and you will definately notice a difference. At high speeds you DO NOT want any wobble in your outdrive. A rule of thumb is any boat that goes over 70mph should have hydraulic steering.

My boat did not come with trim tabs and I've never felt the need to instal them. If you did decide to do it, I would recommend the Merc 280s. Don't go with Bennets as they are only intended to get you up on plane. I believe they are not recommended over 60mph.

I assume you have a 7.4L MPI and not a 454Mag. My only recommendation here is don't build the 7.4L ... take it out of the boat and save it to put back in when you sell the boat or sell the engine outright. 500EFIs are very expensive. There are many options available to you ... it will be fun.

For now, just enjoy the new boat ..

IF YOU ARE RUNNING OVER 70MPH, DEFINITELY GO WITH AT LEAST SINGLE RAM STEERING. I INSTALLED A IMCO SINGLE RAM ON MY 220 AND THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE. YOU DON'T WANT THE OUTDRIVE TO WOBBLE AT THE HIGHER SPEEDS. THE BOAT SEEMS A LOT MORE STABLE WITH THE STEERING.

I have the 7.4mpi also and it does suck but up here in cruiser land its faster than everything else. Heck even good enough to bet a 33'scarab with twin454's.

I've got a 1994 26' T'bred. Just a bit bigger, but the same boat. I put dual ram IMCO on the boat. Bought it from Teague and installed it myself with no problem. Teague had the best price and best service of any steering system vendor. You will enjoy the boat a lot more with it. Not only the confidence but also because you will not be fighting the constant steering torque.

I also have 280S tabs and use them ALL the time to adjust for weight balance, wind balance, slow speed planing, etc. I would highly recommend them.

Enjoy your new ride,

John

John, did you go with the add on or full hydraulic steering????

I think there has been at least one post on this, but what are you guys running for props on a 280 w/ a 500 HP. I am repowering from a carbed 454 Mag to a 490 HP 502 and want to run it around 5000-5100 according to the dyno.

Full hydraulic. My big issue was play in the cable. An add-on system doesn't help with that. I'm VERY satisfied with the IMCO system.

voodoo contact scott at velocity he can hook you up with a labbed bravo for around $500 bucks