Info on 39's and 41's
 

Hello from the frozen North.

New to posting so bear with me.

I am looking for information/to start a thread with the experiences good and bad of 39 and 41 owners. As the screen name implies I currently own an '89 Formula. Looking to make a one time leap to a bigger boat, and the more I read about Velocity and Steve Stepp the more I like.

I boat in the 1000 Islands out of Kingston, Ontario.

Lets just say that Spring can't come soon enough!

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

I boat outta Hutchinson's in the Bay! Have you Talked to Mark LaLonde? Mark and I go back a ways, he's a good guy. :cool:

I'm a two time former Velocity owner myself presently in a 353 Formula. My Velocity's treated me well.

The 41' is BIG. Available with port or center entry/seating. The 39' is a cut down 41' as I'm sure you know.

Hurley Stepp and Scott McCormick came up to the 1000 Islands run with a 41' that ran 80+ on Bulldogs and Bravos, 5 or 6 years back.

I'll bet 525's/Bravos would be close.

I would give Steve a shot if I was in the market for a 40'er.

I have found the construction solid and fit and finish has progressed in leaps and bounds over the last few years.
and he will accomodate custom ideas within reason. :cool:

In the back of my mind...I think often of a 41' myself. ;)

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

Thanks for the reply.

Spoke with Mark a week or so ago and he was very helpful. He offered a look at his 41 which I will take him up on.

Love my Formula, but no headroon and the head compartment cramped. Looked at a 382 Fastech a while back and still stooped in the cabin. Would like close to stand-up headroom in a perf. boat and the Velocity hull looks beauty.

Pray for Spring.

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

PS:

Nice boat your 353. Saw one at the Toronto Boat show a few years ago.

I am running 73 MPH (Nordskog GPS Speedo). Stock 454's (365HP). Only modifications Stainless Marine Exhaust, Imco nosecones/tiebar, Holley flame arrestors. Had to go up to new 25P Mirage with the above mod's. Boat is mint, just have (ten)footitis.

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

you'll get that headroom aft in the cabin with Steve's deck design, but loose it as you move forward of course.

That deck design is a good compromise of headroom at the head/galley/cabin entry...while still having the "flat deck" classic performance boat look. :cool:

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

292SR1:

It sounds like you are following the same path I followed. I bought a 2000 39 with HP500 efis last May and couldn't be happier. I had heard that the pad bottom lands hard. I have gotten some pretty extreme air and I can say that the re-entry is smooth enough. The best part is the speed. A true mid 80s boat with stock 500s. I would recommend a sea trial. Call Kenny at Velocity.

I haven't been able to wipe the smile off my face yet :)

Frank

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

That is really what I am looking for. Stand up room in the head would be stellar. We are really day boaters as we live on the river. Boat camping hold no allure at this point, but it would be nice to have the option.

Due to the efficiency of the Velocity hull I thought I could start with mild power to keep the costs down, and still run in the mid to low 70's. I could always power up later once I had the hull.

By the way, when I swapped my drives to spinning "in" it really picked up my Formula. Not sure what the effect would be on your stepped hull, but might be worth a look. Have read that spinning "in" makes it worse around the docks, but I noticed no difference.

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

Two-Air:

Thanks for your post.

One article said the trick is getting back on the throttles as the boat is landing.

Ideally I would like to find a mid-90's to early 2000's boat, but does not look like a lot for sale.

Have you seen any with 4 bolsters? Looks like a ton of room to do this in the cockpit.

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

292sr1:

Yes, the boat takes some technique to drive, but in a good way, I think I would have been disappointed if I would have been able to jump right in and drive it perfect. I am a pilot for a living and like challenge. You are already a performance boater and won't have any problems.

Frank

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

Forgot to ask:

What sort of price range with mild power (no trailer needed as I have a lift/boathouse) mid 90's to early 2000's? Probably leaning toward a 39.

Also, read somewhere that Velocity was doing a raised deck 39 a-la the 290 weekender featured in this months Powerboat. That would be interesting as long as it didn't look like those ridiculous Fountain Performance Cruisers.

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

292SR1 I've gad the same thought exactly...as in if a 41' will run 70+ on 496 HO's. This seems attractive enough...but you have to remember alot of the ride quality in those boats is garnered by having enough throttle response, and power overall, to "work" the boat.
Underpowered Velocity's are not a good thing in terms of ride.

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

'93 26'

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

'97 32'

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

As the saying goes....there is no such thing as too much Horsepower in a marine environment. At least that is what I say anyway.

Would you think minimum 500HP per side? I think the 496's are only 375.

I had thought of 540's/500HP. :evilb:

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

Rippem:

Thanks for the pic's.....will upgrade my member ship shortly so I can see them and others.

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

What do you want to Know? Call me Thats all I run! 390s and 41s .239-340-0796. any time!! Ill tell you how thay run. FAST!!!!!!!!! Ask anyone who knows me. Velocity Tom. Fort Myers FL.

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

there's two 496's. 375 and 425 HP. I have the 425's in my 353.
I'm sorry to say that a 41' would most likely be underpowered with 425's
The 39' would more than likely work adequately with 425's

I have a ton of Velocity pics on my 'puter at home

My 26' ran near 90 on a blown BBC
My 32 ran 77.7 GPS on 454 Mags

This site is addictive! :cool:

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

Velocity Tom:

Thanks for your post. Do you know of any used 39's or 41's for sale?

I love the features of my Formula (full windshield/shore power/battery charger/fridge/pressure water sink/pump out head/bow docking lights, etc.). If I could have Velocity speed with these options that would be awesome.

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

Mid to upper 80's with 500's is easy with the 390 and now I have a 41 with Ilmor Viper 550's and can run easy lower to mid 80's and still prop experimenting. I am sure of upper 80's when I find the right props Good luck to all

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

Steet:

Viper 550's........must sound nice.

Not in a rush but will look around for a clean used 39/41.

Thanks everyone for your input will check this board tomorrow.

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

I am Velocity's New Dealer for the Entire North East. And I have a Virtually new 41 that is goin up for sale with t/525's. The owner wants bigger power!!. Feel free to call me for info and pics any time 631-445-0745.

:evilb:

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

rippem, i was wondering about the 26' 1993 that you posted. i thank that was my old boat that i traded in to steve in 1999 for a 390,i was wondering were it went ? that boat ran 103 with a 540 in 1997. it was good seeing it again.

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

No, I bought that boat new from Mark in late summer of '93.

If I was going to do another one, I'd go the hardcore look like the one I had. No w/s, no "pods", white p/c tubular platform, old school paint ect. with BIG power. That boat, as you can see, would sit right on it's tail and fly with 600+ blown HP and sweet spot trim, even on glassy water. :D That boat was alot of fun. Alot's been learned about blowers since then...I did have my share of downtime.

That boat (my trade) was sold to a guy over on Lake George I believe, with a 540 carb, before my ordered 32 came in. I was in a Sea Ray 23 BR Select "loaner" ;) for 6-8 weeks.

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

another

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

#3

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

buddy of mine's '95 22' with strong SB. Boat ran close to 80 and we suprised alot of bigger boats in the rough with that thing. Trim on wheel and foot throttle...battle gear. :D

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

his 26' that Bill over at Performance Trailers owns, last I knew.

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

32' with 540 "bulldogs". Ran in that boat many times. Almost lost it the first time I got it "hung" @ WOT killing both rich and I. :eek: Nicknamed "The Kavorkian" cause that boat had a serious "learning curve". :D

It was an S-glass boat with a higher "X". There were experienced Velocity owners/drivers who wouldn't touch that thing. :D

That boat was all about torque... :cool:

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

Barstow's innercooled 525 SC 32'. Now owned by 1HYPER1 here on the board.

Yes, that's Boldt Castle in the background.

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

flyby... :D

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Red 26' (280 :rolleyes: ) with 540 BullDog also. :D :D

You can see "The Kavorkian" in the background. :)

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

I'll post more pics later if anyone would like. :)

292SR1...I apologize for hijacking your thread. Maybe we can meet at the Lonestar for some lunch and a Margiurita or two. :D

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

Rippem:

Come to think of it I have seen your Formula at Potters Beach a few times (nice). :drink:

Was wondering as a two time Velocity owner why you went to a Formula. I am contemplating the reverse.

Would a 353 or 382 Formula be a smoother ride in the river slop?

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

Rippem: No worries on the thread.

Just wanted to generate some info from Velocity owners past and present so thanks for the input.

Drinks at the Lonestar in boat season sounds pretty good right now...........looking for a foot or so of snow soon!

A trade up to a 38ish performance V is definitely in the cards, just a question of when and the right boat/opportunity.

Thx

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

the current 390 in the velocity flier is for sale in wa. the boat has 20 hours, 525's with whipples and runs 104mph. It will go faster with some more prop testing. the owner is 62 years old and is looking to sell or trade for something between 50k to 100k.

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

292SR1, a legitamate question as to why the Formula.

1st of all Steve doesn't, or rather didn't at the time have a 35'-36' hull.

2nd is money. Not only was a 39 or 41 more than I could afford...but I was in the right place at the right time on this '02 Formula. It was loaded with all available options, on an Eagle trailer, tasteful uplevel graphics, was spankin' new (just a few tenths of Formula test tank time), and came with 1+4 years of warranty. I hammered out a price 37% off MSRP on the package before 14K in cash from Formula. This particular dealer wanted to move the boat, and understood, like so many dealers don't, the concept of "blowout pricing". It was a pleasure in all manner doing business with them. Thrown in the deal to close it, was a full custom sunbrella cover, and 600 miles of transport to halfway between us. It was an '02 leftover in August of '03. It was the right time to move in terms of financing also, I bagged a 4.59% rate on a 20 yr. term, which not only kept my payments quite reasonable, but with what I financed at that pricing, and a pretty decent down $....the boat would never (even early in the term) be worth less than I owed on it. A bit of security knowing that, as I am single.
Formula quality, brand recognition, and resale were a given.

All this adds up to this 353 resting comfortably over in my building right now. :D

Do I miss the excitement, the HP/lb. advantages, and float like a butterfly thrill at speed of the pad bottom? YES I DO. Not to mention the abilty to float over rough at speed that other V-bottoms get more involved with. Though it does take experience, appropriate HP, and a fair amount of sack to run 'em the way they work best.

At the same time do I enjoy the solid, softer ride of a heavier, traditional V bottom. YES I DO, particularly at 30-50 MPH.
I stay on the boat alot, and the Formula does a nice job there also.

I think the new raised decks from Steve fill a niche'...but look like POO with a phukin' glass windshield...none of it looks like it belongs together, in terms of asthetics. The "pods" never belonged either. The sculpting of the flat of the new deck itself forward is a nice piece of work, but with the big rounded tall "brow" and a Taylor W/S on 'em on top of that...they are f u g l y.
Sorry new Velocity guys...

Yes I had a 6" acrylic on my 32'. I wanted the boat with no w/s and no pods...like my '93, but ran into some resistance from those who thought they knew more about what I wanted than I did. :rolleyes:

Take those windshields and deck pods to the dumpster. I keep thinking it must haunt Steve bolting ugly sh*t onto a beautiful deck design to sell boats to the masses. :eek: That deck was designed with depth for security and protection, that's why it's so tall in the middle to begin with...and was meant to stand on it's own in terms of appearance and function!

That said...all boats are a compromise...this Formula is a well rounded piece, that as my sixth boat, covers all the bases nicely for me right now. One thing I dislike about it is the glass Taylor W/S...
...suprise...suprise... :rolleyes:

Do I have an itch to be harder core and faster? YUP. If and when I move back in that direction I would definitely give Steve the time of day! My 32 was a good boat. Six seasons...all over the River and the Lake, poker runs included. :D It was solid and dependable. It now belongs to TeamV here on the forum. Last I knew there was not a stress related blemish of any kind on the boat yet! :cool: This is irregardless of the sometimes stiff landings on the pad or the reverse chines.

Velocity's bottoms are built to run....fast...and are happiest there. ;)

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

1000 Island Poker Run fun. '99 I think, on the way to Prescott :cool:

Runnin' on her tail into the wind and rough. Steve'd be proud. :D

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

your 1993 26' looked just like mine,i also bought mine new . i had it for six years,three motors, all with more power each time. you should do the velocity poker run in the upper cheapeake bay , its a blast. i own a 410 now ( 2000 ).i am adding bigger power this winter i am hoping for 100 mph plus.hope to see you on the bay this summer. Joel Ross

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

I know who you are. I believe Rusty Luce introduced us at the Syr. boat show once. He is living full time in Fla. now? I saw you up on the River with the 41' last (rainy) summer. :cool:

I'll tell 'ya that center entry 41' that Hurley and Scott brought up that one summer for the PR was the sharpest one ever. The reds/yellows with the stainless theme and Bulldogs. :D

Coulda done without the trip to hell red cabin material though. :eek:

BTW Joel, do you see my Velocity commentary in this thread as fairly accurate?

Re: Info on 39's and 41's
 

I agree completely with the coments about the pods and windshields, and I can tell you from talking to Steve that he doesn't like them either. He also doesn't care for hatches, bow rails or many other "luxury" items. He's a pretty hard core guy.