Question for Allan Browne-18 vs 16 hulls

[raritan]

Allan,
You had mentioned that you had built an early 16 ft hull w/o hook and didnt notice any difference.
What are the speed limitations of the early (65) Ski Sporter hull versus the 18 footer. I have a 65 with 350/280 volvo and would like to do some work on the engine. However, I dont want to put money in the engine only to find that after say 50mph the boat becomes unmanageable. Anyway I appreciate your opinion.

[ALLAN BROWN]

The 16' ran out of bottom at 53 mph with the puny horsepower available in those days, and the drive trimmed out to "trailer only". I always thought that more power and less trim would have solved that problem to some extent. The 18' saw 75mph with big power.

[mattyboy]

Allan, Thank you again for your contributions and insights to the board they are priceless.
On my 1968 16 with a 351w aprox 290hp and volvo 250 drive the boat definetly runs out of bottom @wot 55mph.
things I'm going to try to reach 60mph
1. new prop replaced ss 14X21 with an 14 1/4 x 23 aluminum(aluminum for $ reasons)
2. move drive to lowest preset position
3. little longer trim tabs go from 9" to 12"
Can you think of any thing else
Thank you Mr Brown.

Matt

[ALLAN BROWN]

Grasshopper, I think you are whipping a dead horse. I have heard of a couple of the 16's going that fast, but I don't know for sure. Anybody out there with something to add?

[mattyboy]

Thanks Allan, I'll conserve my enegry and my cash

Matt

[Forrest]

The 16 hull does run out of water and the trick is to try to keep some of it in! For that reason, the only thing I found that worked on my '72 16 was more power, less weight (especially in the engine compartment), and a 3-inch higher X-dimension (Alpha SS in my case). Also, I run a three-blade Merc outboard cleaver and limit the trim to slightly (one "tick") above parallel to the bottom. High trim and lots of bow lift does not work on the 16. Keeping the boat almost flat to the water brings the 16 under control and allows for higher speeds. My 16 will hit a controllable 70 MPH with two people on board.

[Rootsy]

pushed the little lady (97 16) to 60 flat on gps last summer and that was on flat as glass water, less than optimum weather conditions, with just enough trim to free it up yet keep the chine walk out of it... bout 4 taps of the trim button (1 notch from all the way in). she's packing a 350 under the hatch somewhere around 275 for HP probably, alpha and a 21 mirage... in stock form i ran out of power and hull around 53 mph trying to keep it under control... i've been told the little classics really begin to perform in a little bit of a chop... that's this summers plan eh.... plus well maybe... a little more scoot out of the chevy... now... will an alpha SS lower fit on a gen II upper, that's if i can even find one reasonable? dont have much experience with the SS sorry to say...

[BigGrizzly]

Our 1966 16 repowered with a 302(not hoped up 230
HP) volvo 200 drive pin in the middle hole (best on this boat) ran 58 mph both direction on the measured mile no trouble.

[zeeksta]

i got beat by a sweet 16 with a volvo drive in my sutphen and i went 58 on radar.... i couldnt catch him to ask what he had!!!!!! he got me by about 3mph id guess

[marcdups]

Now Allan, Griz and Forrest, would I have to change anything like rods if I were to go from a pre vortec 94 to vortec heads and intake on my 4.3 HO Merc, and also forrest where could I find those Kodiak exhaust system you have, just looking for some mild stuff, not radical, also have an SS lower unit, any chances that it would fit an alpha gen II with just a drive shaft??????????

I do appolige for so many questions!!, But would appreciate any and all imput, thanks, Marc

[Forrest]

Bummer, the Alpha SS is a pre Gen II thing, and the SS lower unit only fits the Alpha SS upper, which only fits an "R" or "MR"/Alpha gimbal.

Maybe someone else can answer the Vortex head swap question. I would figure though, if your combustion chamber volume is correct for your stock pistons, then it would be a go.

Call Rex Marine (http://www.rex-marine.com) and Eddie Marine (http://www.eddiemarine.com) for a lead on Kodiak exhaust systems.

[mattyboy]

okay, so some speed can be tweeked out of my boat

X dimension not realistic not going to go to merc setup,maybe a volvo speed master but hard to find big $ and parts for service N/A. so I think a little prop testing and trim tab experimenting is in order. Forrest 70 mph! your my role model!
will let you know!

Matt

[smokediver]

there is a person here in naples that put a 350 mag in his 16 (1998 I think) he said he was running 72 on gps.he changed the drive ratio to 1.36 i think

[turbo2256]

The SS drive will fit an Alpha Gen II if the gimble is machined about 150 to do it or can be fitted to an I drive gimble with the same style shift linkage as the SS.

[marcdups]

Turbo, elaborate pleeze!!

[turbo2256]

The SS drive and Alpha type 1 will bolt right on the last few years of the I drive gimble. If I remember correctly its the "cam style" linkage used on todays Alpha's. I called aroud to several drive builders and one in New York that advertizes rebuilt drives for 1995 exchange said he could machine my gimble off a Gen II to fit a Gen I and would fit the SS too. He usally has a one page add in Trailer Boat mag .

[turbo2256]

My bad you can machine a Gen I to fit a Gen II