4x4builder great looking boat I recently bought a 2002 260 my self i do most of my boating on the upper chesapeake if your looking for someone to run with in the chesapeake let me know. Good luck with everything

took a ride to the chesapeake inn yesterday had 5 people full tank and couldn't break 65 on gps does that sound right to you guys? Felt like we weren't lifting as high out of the water due to the weight compared to my first ride on it when we hit 73. Only 200-250lb difference and maybe half tank. Ran great no issues at all still learning the trim and tabs, got today off might take it out again before another week of rain.

What prop? What was the rpm at 65mph?

When I'm looking for max speed my tabs are up and drive is 4-5 up from neutral. That will lift the bow and let it ride on the pad.

bravo 1 28p also have a 30p might try today. Don't remember the exact rpm I believe around 4500 tabs where up and drive was at 2 where the previous owner had it set when we ran it. I played with the drive some but didn't see any gain off of that. the motor had plenty of room left but I couldn't seem to get it right.

28 is to much prop. You need to get more from. The 496 ho should be spun 5000. I run a stock 26 bravo. That is the best all around prop imo. I ran a mercury labbed 28 bravo one, sent it back to Velocity to get labbed. From what I was told it was changed to a 27 and the blades were definitely made smaller. Lost all around after labbing. I run a stock 24 bravo one for tubing and skiing. Boat will still run uppers 60s with it. Cruise surfers though. I was tubbing yesterday. With the 24: 2 adults and 4 100-130lb kids with 50 gallons of fuel boat ran 66mph not even holding it out that long. Tach showed 5000ish.