Calling all progression boat pictures!!

[ghost28]

I have a friend with a 24xl with a pretty healthy big block and that runs in the 90s but it makes a tonn of power....

[Spdrcr29]

Ghost 28 is right. I own a 24 Hi deck with a 225 Optimax. Top speed is high 50's.

So I'm NOT the slowest Progression. Cool! I was starting to develop a complex! I love the way it handles, and my wife loves the big cabin and big sunpad, so I'm going to leave it as it is, save my pennies, and find a 22 for going faster.
Picture of wiring included to keep thread on track, and because it's stuff like this that a lot of other builders overlook (rats' nests, unsupported wires and cables, etc).

[goneby]

[goneby]

[TooStroked]

Attachment 350975On a slightly different but related note- how the heck do guys get 80s out of these 24s?

Mine is a 24XL (pre-vacuum bagged) with a 275 3.4L, I'm running a 23 Tempest to just over 5300 and getting a best of 64mph on cool fall days, 5000rpm and 60mph loaded down in the summer.

First of all, nice looking Progression! Now, on to your question.

I think you need to look realistically at your current motor first. The 3.4 Liter / 275 HP Mercury was an interesting beast. In its time, it put out some pretty impressive HP figures. Remember though that at that time, HP was rated at the powerhead, so all 275 ponies didn't make it to the prop. Second, some folks think 275 HP was a little bit on the optimistic side. Third, even if it was an honest 275 at the crank, the motor was quite heavy. So most boats running that motor didn't go quite as fast as the owners would have hoped. Boy did they sound cool though!

Next, consider that the folks with 24 Progressions that are running 80 MPH or more are generally running the 24LD - also known as the 237. Most of them are quite a bit lighter than your boat and a vacuum bagged 237 with a bone stock 502 I/O should run low 80's. I have a friend with a 24LD and a seriously Whipple charged 502 that's running well into the 90's. Getting back to outboards though, a 237 with a newer 300XS should run low to mid 70's at best. Also remember that a new 300 puts out a little over 300 HP at the prop - and weighs less than your current motor.

So perhaps you need to be a little bit more realistic with your expectations. Remember, you have a great looking boat and it'll go through the kind of water that would put many other boats back on the trailer without so much as breathing hard. I too have an older Progression - the very first vacuum bagged 22 in fact. It's got an old school Mercury 2.5 / 200 modified by Diamond Marine screwed to the transom and only runs 77 MPH on GPS. Sure, I could get it into the 90's with a new 300 - for twenty five or thirty grand. But I'm pretty happy running the old girl just the way she is. Feel better now?

[Spdrcr29]

First of all, nice looking Progression!
Feel better now?

No, now I want a 25" 300XS with O/S mid, labbed 25 Tempest, and Zeiger steering even more! LOL
....Maybe if something happens to this 275... And the spare motor...Maybe then I'll pony up the coin and hit 70.

Until then I'm just gonna run it the way it is, and hope I can find some small waves to loosen up the hull on Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, and Lake St Clair... Doubtful though, prolly have to go to LOTO to find any! Lol

[ghost28]

27 I rigged for Frontline




Jerrys 24



24 xl i looked at


Jerrys 22 after i detailed it







Arrowwaves 24




John scarollas 22





I hijacked Brabenders 22

[steve123]

Hi i have the same 24 Hi deck as you. You bought Joe's 24 that boat was like new. Down the road get rid of the the stand-up Bolsters! I put high back buckets in the boat. A big difference. Thanks Steve.

[arrowwaves]

I remember my 3.4lt. Cosworth 275 merc, I blew a nice hole in the 6th cylinder. My repowered 237 LD runs 74 mph with 2003 250XS Merc Racing at @ 5700 rpm with a 23"Rev4 .

[steve123]

These are the Hi Back Buckets i installed on sliders.

[Mr242BAHAMAS]

beautiful

[steve123]

Thanks!!

[RADER]

[steve123]

Great looking pkg. How fast and what size props?