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How fast is too fast?

M

moisturemissile

New member
Hey guys, I`m looking for some advice.... I have an `88 20' Checkmate that has a bone stock fresh 454 in it. I`m a racer and just cant leave that alone! In my "spare" parts pile I have enough parts to build a good 572 and if I keep it down around 8.0-1 it should make around 600 hp with a good exhaust.

My question to you is; how fast can these boats run on smooth water safley? I`ve been told everything from 65 to 80. The guys I run with (and build motors for) all run 31' to 38' stuff with twins and I would at least like to hang with them on the rivers... I know I cant on the lakes.

I really like this boat, it is in really nice condition and think it would be a good boat to put some power in. If you all think that big motor is too much I can put some decent heads and a cam in the 454 and still make 425 hp, but that just dont sound "fun" enough!

Thanks for your input! Chuck.
 
Its just common sense and know your limits that boat can run 100 if you know what you are doing. It just will take seat time and know your boat
 
moisturemissile said:
Hey guys, I`m looking for some advice.... I have an `88 20' Checkmate that has a bone stock fresh 454 in it. I`m a racer and just cant leave that alone! In my "spare" parts pile I have enough parts to build a good 572 and if I keep it down around 8.0-1 it should make around 600 hp with a good exhaust.

My question to you is; how fast can these boats run on smooth water safley? I`ve been told everything from 65 to 80. The guys I run with (and build motors for) all run 31' to 38' stuff with twins and I would at least like to hang with them on the rivers... I know I cant on the lakes.

I really like this boat, it is in really nice condition and think it would be a good boat to put some power in. If you all think that big motor is too much I can put some decent heads and a cam in the 454 and still make 425 hp, but that just dont sound "fun" enough!

Thanks for your input! Chuck.
Click to expand...

weight is going to be a big issue with the 572
bravo or #6 drive?

is there enough room in the boat without having to gut the interior?

daren
 
weight of the 572 will be very close to the 454, so thats not a issue, making a easy 600 hp won't be to hard either, handling on the other hand will be. Do you have external steering ? if not stop now...add the steering first..I can tell you from experiance with my 251, over upper 70's with std steering can get hairy and probably unsafe...your smaller boat could even be worse....but seat time and just testing will answer this...good luck...Rob
 
The steering is already being worked out, the gimbal was bad when I got it. I think I will be safe with an external cyl and the stock cable for now.

Also, the Bravo is going to have to live for now.... I know, no holeshots!

The block I have is a Merlin, so it`s a little more weight.... but with aluminum dart 360 heads and an alum intake it will probably be 50# lighter than the stock 454. Everything will fit unless i put a really tall intake on it then some motor hatch mods will be needed, but I`m trying not to do that.

And for the seat time? Looking forward to it!!
 
Cable????

External steering is a must. Hydraulic.

Check the bottom to see if the last 4ft at least are straight.
 
those 360 heads are not going to good on the boat..even with that size engine going to be sluggish in the low and mid range...have any 320's ?
 
sssssssssssssssllllllllllllllllllllllllllllooooooo oooooooooww

when it comes to anything, there aint but 2 kinds. good old big ones, and big old good ones. so what happened to your brain? you were sunbathing on a sand bar and a tanker ship run aground on ur head. you crapped out the wrong end of your body, or you just smile ,and hope your heart can keep pumping that gallon of adrenalin to your shaking legs, and hope you fullfill that most ultimate dream of your life, to go fast some day, but when you plan it right, you can go home and cry into your cup, while nobody gives a crap. im going earn another star when i carry obama for the inaugaration boat ride, and tell um to put a slice of cheese on his crabcake. there aint but 2 kinds:thumb: my boat goes so fast that the wind blows your cheeks full of air like a baloon and the wind resistance burns the whiskers of your nose cone, before we ever pull the boat out the yard. slow down and enjoy the ride in your boat, just as i have today without looking at it, but when the bay looks like its frozen, were goin skiing on the slow boat of fools.;)
 
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slow but sure

out of the 1000 gallons of 89 octane ive burned this year so far, no way compare to the feeling of sitting there at the ramp in the silence of knowing we made it back in, just to have the most painful cheek muscle hangover weve ever experienced. good thing for alcohol, as it helps take our mind off the slow ride we just got, but its a bitch to ruin it with a vision of dock and truck knowing weve got to pull it up. ide rather die here than go home. hahahaha please mr sun, just one more hour, one more gallon, one more beer, two more of that....:mad::lol:
 
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