I'm the new guy, so someone please correct me where I'm wrong (I know manufacturers can be optimistic)

The dry weights I'm seeing with stock power:

280 - 4500# per Kenny
VR1 - 4300# per Velocity website
290sc - 4650# per Velocity website

If I recall my 26' 1998 260SC the same as what became the 280 was 4200 dry.

In any event if you do the math with minimal slip the 29 could do 85, They didn't show it in the video though.

I like this calculator and find it very accurate. Propeller Calculator / Prop Calculator

when did the 290 come out ? 2004 or 2005 ? and if I recall correctly the VR1 came out in 2003 ?

And was the cabin head room in the 290 always the same or did it increase in later years ?

I agree with Padraig on all being good running boats. Choosing one over the other depends on your intended use, where you boat, the design you like and what you want to spend. Top end and lower weight really are secondary considerations unless you plan to race or typically have great conditions conducive to running wide open - rarely the case for me! The 260/280 are an old school 1990's design whereas the VR1 and 290 are about a 10 year newer design. If you want freeboard, cabin space and stand-up operation for when it gets rough, the 290 best meets that need followed by the 280. The 290 and 280 feel pretty similar whereas the VR1's lower profile yields a different feel - a lighter, faster and flatter ride. A similar 290 to VR1 comparison can be made between the 410 to the 390 (except the 390 is also a stand-up boat). All excellent boat models that cater to what different owners want!.

Stock 525EFI's make 540ish hp at the crank. Nowhere near 600. 496HO's are 425ish. I believe the 85gps speed. That particular boat was very dialed in as tested. Ran low fuel with no passengers. Will it run 85 with a normal lake load? No way. More like 80mph. My boat ran 3 mph faster on Lake Monroe with Kenny vs here at 1100' elevation.

No wood in the VR1 played a big role in my decision as the boat is wet slipped thru the summer months. Looks was the #1 factor!!! Also, remember the VR1/290SC had ultra leather interior v berth material as an option. It's really nice stuff.

Thanks for the reply Ryan, good stuff...which engine are you running.?

I don't have a dog in this fight but it's always fun to bench race. In the past Raylar did a ton of 496HO upgrades out here on the West Coast and lot of dyno work.

Here is a quote from Raylar that mentions the HP difference of the 496HO vs the 525. As mentioned, I've always heard the black motors are rated at the crank and blue motors are rated at the prop.

On the Mercury Racing HP500efi the engine really makes about 505-510 HP at the Crankshaft and about 470-480 at the prop with Bravo Drive losses.

The Mercury Racing 525efi makes about 550-560HP at the crankshaft and this results in about 525HP at the prop in a Bravo XR ( bigger drive losses in an XR)

Mercruiser 496HO's for example are measured at the prop they have shown to be about 390-400HP at the prop in a standard Bravo 1 or 1X drive.


Merc Racing HP ratings....?

Of course these numbers will vary on someone elses dyno, but they should be valid relative to each other. So if Raylar is correct, the 525 makes about 125-135 more at the prop than the 496HO.

When you are talking about used boats, especially 15 year old boats: condition, maintenance history, graphics (many out of date now), and price are going to be the driving factors, rather than 2 or 3 mph on the top end. On the other hand, weight is kind of important since I'm coming up against the towing limit of my current SUV, and overall length is going to be tight in my storage area.

Its always fun to bench race and/or learn more about models within a brand, so my main interest was trying to figure out if to would be worth waiting for a VR1 to come available (none on my radar or available to drive) vs moving ahead on a nice 280 I've already found. It's also been interesting to learn about the differences between the VR1 and 290sc.

Good stuff, thanks to everyone that replied so far.

It's easy to get caught up when shopping, but how does the old saying go? Used cars (and boats) are like trains...there will be another one coming along soon.

My father always told me that about girls....wait 15 minutes and another would come along. LOL

Padraig

I would agree that 80 is a much more realistic speed for that model but as suggested with low fuel and ideal conditions that 85 may be achievable.