Good hull for a bridgeport EFI ???

[b0atguy]

Hey guys,
kind of switching gears here with one of my projects. I am looking for a nice hull that a Bridgeport EFI would be happy on. Its running on a Baja 210 sport now and I realize that it would be better suited on a lighter faster hull to see the full potential of this motor. It runs great, but I am thinking of swapping some motors around to free up the Bridgeport for a more suitable hull.
The motor is an 88 Bridgeport EFI 245, factory alien cowl with skirt, 3 ram trim Ridgeback 20" mid, and a stock 1.87 lower with a Bobs cone and dual low water pick-ups (still looking for a sporty).
I am swapping a 200/220 EFI on to the Baja for better reliabilty and durability for the "family" Baja........and better skiability. So........I will have my Bridgeport just waiting for a hull.

Give me some ideas on a great boat/hull for this Bridgeport.
The boat HAS to have seating for 5, NO center driver.......has to be 2 front seats and a rear bench for 3 would be nice. Tunnel would be prefered, or at least a mod VP style v-hull, or air entrapment hull.
Looking at Streams........Vegas XT, HST , or an AE21 style. Maybe a Liberator in the 19-20 range or some other tunnel?. I like the Allison Grandsports........but they may be too heavy for a BP? I would like to get into the 90's, and be an EASY driver at speed. Just a river racer, and I have little to no chop to deal with. Nice flat water with weekend boat chop that my be 1-1.5 chop max, and I usually run during the week anyway.
I see a lot of nice hulls without motors going for GREAT prices. Seen a few HST, Vegas XT's for good prices lately............but I am leaning towards a tunnel.

Give me some ideas on some sweet hulls that will make my Bridgeport happy !!!

THANKS !!!
b0atguy

[rev.ronnie]

You ain't getting 5 people in an HST unless you cremate 2 of them.

A 5 seater with 245 HP that runs 90 is a tall order. Do your homework before you jump.

You will get guys to say "my xxx brand goes 90 and seats 5 no problem", then ask how long it took them to get it to run that way. I know a Vegas will do it, but try to find a good one, they are rare to not need a recore. There is a few for sale on here, find one that has been redone correctly.

I just bought a Vasseret YT, it seats 7 and would roll pretty hard with a 245. (runs 80s with a 2.5 200) but again, good luck finding a nice one. It's only an 18 footer too, and it's not gonna go 90 with 5 aboard.

Get a newer, lighter tunnel like a Quartershot T-4. Nice boat, 650 lbs, fast. Triads are nice, and Liberators are too.

[2.5_stoker]

20' stoker sport tunnel should get 90 with that kind of power and seat 7

[b0atguy]

5 seater would be nice, but I guess 4 would do. I am not looking to do 90+ wilh 4-5 on board! If I can find a nice hull that would break the 90 mph mark with say, 2 people and a light load, perfect.
Homework is exactly what I am doing ;), Thanks for the input ronnie. HST's look to seat 2 in the rear ???
The stream core problems are scaring me a bit. STV Euro would be nice, or a Lib. Maybe a Couger? I really like the Allison GS, but not sure if its a little too heavy for a BP? Would like an easy driver at speed, not looking to fight chine walk anymore!
Thanks,
b0atguy


You ain't getting 5 people in an HST unless you cremate 2 of them.

A 5 seater with 245 HP that runs 90 is a tall order. Do your homework before you jump.

You will get guys to say "my xxx brand goes 90 and seats 5 no problem", then ask how long it took them to get it to run that way. I know a Vegas will do it, but try to find a good one, they are rare to not need a recore. There is a few for sale on here, find one that has been redone correctly.

I just bought a Vasseret YT, it seats 7 and would roll pretty hard with a 245. (runs 80s with a 2.5 200) but again, good luck finding a nice one. It's only an 18 footer too, and it's not gonna go 90 with 5 aboard.

Get a newer, lighter tunnel like a Quartershot T-4. Nice boat, 650 lbs, fast. Triads are nice, and Liberators are too.

[2.5_stoker]

20' stoker sport tunnel should get 90 with that kind of power and seat 7

Edit: obviously like rev said its not going to do 90 with 5 people in it...great riding boats though even with a load in them!

[b0atguy]

20' stoker sport tunnel should get 90 with that kind of power and seat 7

A Stoker would work nicely...........just trying to find one would be tough!

Thanks,
b0atguy

[moomba]

How about this. It ran 95 with the 260 I just took off it. Here is the link to the boat. All rigged and ready for your motor. Here is the link http://www.screamandfly.com/showthread.php?252607-Shadow-200RT-Mod-VP-Tunnel-Hull-Boat-and-Trailer&highlight=

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll213/1moomba/Shadow%20200RT%20Mod%20VP%20Tunnel/000_0011_00.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll213/1moomba/Shadow%20200RT%20Mod%20VP%20Tunnel/000_0010_00.jpg

[b0atguy]

I was looking at that boat in the classified section.........nice shape. Any pics of the hull design? That would prob fit the bill nicely........but just starting to look around.
BTW, did you used to have a RED HST with a BP on it?
b0atguy

[moomba]

I was looking at that boat in the classified section.........nice shape. Any pics of the hull design? That would prob fit the bill nicely........but just starting to look around.
BTW, did you used to have a RED HST with a BP on it?
b0atguy

The man I bought the HST from had one on it. As far as hull design click on the link to the photobucket photos. There are a few from the back. I will try and get a few more tomorrow and add them to the photobucket link. We just removed the 260 off it tonight. It is a very nice boat. The boat has allways been garaged or under cover. It comes with the mooring cover that it had when it was new. A few scratches under the hull from pulling up on the beach. Plenty of room under the deck all the way to the bow light for water toys or what ever. Glove box, built in cooler and ski locker in the floor. Origional carpet and seats that look like they are in a couple year old boat. Good luck in your search.
Steve

[moomba]

I was looking at that boat in the classified section.........nice shape. Any pics of the hull design? That would prob fit the bill nicely........but just starting to look around.
BTW, did you used to have a RED HST with a BP on it?
b0atguy


I also have a transporter from PA that is up here quite often. I have a machine that is sold and he will be up to pick it up and could tow this back to PA for a deal. Just thought I would throw this out there.
Steve

[rev.ronnie]

The HSTs are technically a 4 seater, but the back seat is narrow. The AE -21s have more room inside. Jupiter Pulsair on here has one for sale. He re-did it and it's nice, no core worries from the looks of it. The price is nice too.

That shadow is a neat looking boat too, and you could not go wrong with a Stoker either. It's the hull design that the HST came from.

[200VEGAS]

i like the vegas and a grandsport would be nice and that shadow is hot... if your not to big and you remove the center pod glovebox, you can use the vegas as a overnighter for two, and you can get 5 in one. and you get a little windsheild if it gets cold out. pyro is running mid 90's with his 245 bp

[pyro]

I ran 95 on one occasion with the back seat removed and 1/4 tank of fuel spinning a 30p labbed cleaver at 1/4" above the pad. I wouldn't dare venture to say that my boat routinely "runs mid 90's." The Vegas XT is much more happy spinning a smaller prop and running in the 80's. When you push a Vegas over 90 mph, it starts to do some "bow lift tricks" that may scare you a bit. Blowout hook is also quite unpleasant at those motor heights and speeds. A fully-loaded Vegas XT will porpoise like a bitch below 30 mph, so a slow cruise is not an easy task with the whole family on board.

The simple fact is, there are NOT very many boats that will seat five people and still easily break 90 MPH with a fairly-stock Bridgeport and a solo driver. With a driver and passenger, this will prove very difficult with most hulls. A Mirage or STV will do it, but it won't seat five. A Stoker or a Hydrostream will almost do it, but you may only see mid-to-upper 80's with a friend sitting shotgun.

I'd vote for the Stoker. Good build quality... Sporty and roomy... Still go out and run 90 mph after you drop off your passengers.

[rev.ronnie]

I wonder why the Vegas porpoises? My Venus rides flat as a pancake when loaded to the gills. Like 5 adults and kids in the cuddy. It will run on plane at 17 mph real nice.

Im guessing the Vegas is lighter in the front.

Anyway, Chads boat is a fine example of one that will run fast, but took a lot of set up work and driving to get it there.

[pyro]

I wonder why the Vegas porpoises? My Venus rides flat as a pancake when loaded to the gills. Like 5 adults and kids in the cuddy. It will run on plane at 17 mph real nice.

Im guessing the Vegas is lighter in the front.

Reason shown in boldface above. Porpoising commonly occurs when the stern of the boat displaces a hole in the water as it rides, then climbs up and out of its hole, dropping the bow and starting the cycle over again.

My round-ear props ride better with a passenger load. I can't keep it from porpoising anywhere below 30 mph with a passenger or two when I'm running my Yamaha drag prop.

[b0atguy]

Reason shown in boldface above. Porpoising commonly occurs when the stern of the boat displaces a hole in the water as it rides, then climbs up and out of its hole, dropping the bow and starting the cycle over again.

My round-ear props ride better with a passenger load. I can't keep it from porpoising anywhere below 30 mph with a passenger or two when I'm running my Yamaha drag prop.

Pyro..........
Do you find that most props will not porpoise, is it just the drag prop that causes it? Or are all the props you have tried porpoising to some extent.
I love the Vegas XT, but there are some things about the hull that scare me........porpoising would be one, core rot and transom problems an issue also. There is a nice XT for sale in the classified section for a pretty good price..........what do you think about it? I am a little scared that its an 86, and not a latter year model.
I have PMed the guy about it, and for more pics.
Honestly somewhere in the 80's to 90 would be all I would hope for. I think the BP would do it.
Thanks for the help........
b0atguy

[rev.ronnie]

My Venus will not porpoise at any speed with any prop unless you over trim it intentionally. This is regardless of load, if I'm alone or there is 6 people in the passenger area, it doesn't care. I've had 9 people in it before with three on a tube..it planes at 17mph and will do so with me and a kid pulling tube as well.

Here is the reason I think; the deck is profiled differently and I have a tall windsheild. It probably has quite a bit of downforce VS the Vegas that may actually have a low pressure area on the deck with any rake attitude while driving.

The factory used to put angled aluminum trim tabs on some boats from the factory. My Viper II had them. I took them off to replace the hardware and re-mount them and did not get a chance to redrill the holes (I gelled them back up) and mount them. When I test drove it it bounced wildly with any positive trim. Pete, who I bought the boat from told me this would happen and not to remove them, and he would know, he worked at Hydrostream. Anyway, after I get them powder coated I am going to re-install them for sure. They don't affect speed because they are out of the water once you are rolling over 30.

I can't help but think they would help on the Vegas, I know it would be a hard call to drill a pristine hull like Chad's, so maybe asking Tiger or deCler would be a good idea first.

[rev.ronnie]

I think the 86, 87 and 88 XT and YT hulls were the worst from the factory. (maybe 85-87 I forget), anyway, I've heard it from a lot of people that were involved there. They changed the layup and manufacturing process on the later ones, and used some different materials from what I'm told. I have an 87 XT and it needs work but is still serviceable for my needs.

The YTs would literally crack in the sponson area, the long way...not good. Many came back to the factory when they were near new. I have a YT, and I looked for a long time to get a 91 in excellent condition.

That said, one that has been correctly repaired/recored should be as good as anything, regardless of the year.

[METALMUNCHER72]

Don't know exacatly were "central PA" is, (Maybe Williamsport area?) But if you were anywhere on or near the coast there is only one boat for that motor... "SUPERBOAT" other that that, if your lake boating I'd say get an Allison..

[b0atguy]

Don't know exacatly were "central PA" is, (Maybe Williamsport area?) But if you were anywhere on or near the coast there is only one boat for that motor... "SUPERBOAT" other that that, if your lake boating I'd say get an Allison..

I am no where near any kind of "coast", lol. Just river runnin and an occasional lake jaunt. The MOST chop I usually see is 1.5' MAX ! A superboat would be out of sorts in our waters. I have been in a few SB's and they are great boats........probably the smoothest running hull's I have ever driven.
Thanks for the input though! Looking for something a little low and lean.
b0atguy

[vector mike]

A litlle low and lean. Sounds like a Vector to me !

[2.5_stoker]

if a vector fits the bill for you beefkid has a solid one for sale!...would have to covert it to seat more people...good price and would run the numbers youre looking for!

Hydrostream Vector (http://www.screamandfly.com/showthread.php?251926-Hydrostream-Vector) <<< link

[b0atguy]

Thanks for all the help guys. I made a deal on a 1986 Vegas XT, that I will be rigging up my Bridgeport EFI on. It will be rigged with a Land and Sea Hydraulic jack plate......only has about 5" of setback max. Hope its enough. Also will be getting some new Seastar pro Hydraulic steering.
I will be following Pyro's lead on helping with some set-up advise, as he has the nicest Vegas XT I have ever seen, and prob the best running one too!
Pyro, any advise on proping this rig, and how much set-back would you consider ideal? I have an RE3 24P to start with.

Thanks, guys!
b0atguy

[pyro]

6" to 8" setback, unless you're always hauling lots of passenger load. 1/2" under the pad is a good all-around height to run at. I almost never move my jackplate from this setting unless I'm making top speed passes.

Modified Choppers, ET's, and RE's are good. Yamahas are also good if they're tuned right, but seem to porpoise a bit more. DAH-reworked SRX is also a good prop. Lab Cleaver at 1/4" above the pad was 7 mph faster than anything else I've tried for solo top end, but it's a quirky ride, and the trim is very touchy.

[2.5_stoker]

congrats on the new ride!...it should be a fun one! pick pyro's and frank mole's brains im sure they can have you hauling Azz in no time

[pyro]

Frank was running a 330hp Diamond Marine 2.5 280 with 8" or 10" of setback and a 28 ET, if memory serves me right...

[Frank Molé]

Frank was running a 330hp Diamond Marine 2.5 280 with 8" or 10" of setback and a 28 ET, if memory serves me right...

yes with 10 inches of set back.................:thumbsup:

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa158/frankmole/shaunsfastshot.jpg

[78checkmate]

yes with 10 inches of set back.................:thumbsup:

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa158/frankmole/shaunsfastshot.jpg

One of my fav pics from s&f!

[davemvegas]

on my vegas when i had 1991 200 merc bolted to 4" land and sea hyd jackplate it had very little porpoise at low cruising speeds.a couple of bumps on trim down button would smooth it out. when i bought 2003 280 merc it has the thick single cly clamp. the studs on l&s jackplate were to short to use with thicker clamp bracket so i put 4" set back plates from bobs machine to l&s plate. then i used 41/2" bolts to bolt motor to plates. so i went from 4" setback to 8" setback and it porpoised from about 20 to 40mph no matter where i trimmed it. now before i get blasted about putting brackets between jackplate and motor as opposed to putting them on hull then hyd jackplate to motor like it should be. setback is setback the only downside to the way i done it is there is more load on jackplate slides from the extra 4" of leverage. my thinking was not to mess with plate that has been sealed to hull for 25 years untill i tried 280 to see if it would make me like the vegas that i bought and had wished i kept my stratos bowrider that i sold. if going faster would have got me over wanting to get another stratos and keeping vegas i planned on getting new 10" hyd jackplate so i knew i would not be running it very long and cause concerns by trying it this way. so my input is more setback will cause more porpoising. and it does not matter how fast it goes if you dont like a boat spending more money on it to go faster wont help. at least it did not for me. i have recently bought a like new 96 18ft stratos bowrider that is a little nicer then the one a gave up to buy the vegas. and my new money pit is a 21ft deckboat that has a 135 optimax on it that is on list to replace with a 225 or bigger. my vegas is in for sale section and dont think there is one in any nicer condtion. i had a great time at riverranch with it but for my sunday local boating it just was not practical for me.

[pyro]

more setback will cause more porpoising...

There's some truth to that. I run the same L&S jackplate, with 1" spacers on the motor side for 5" total setback.

[b0atguy]

Dave,
I saw your Vegas in the for sale section, NICE boat. Someone will get a nice hull, and deal. It was a little far away for me, or I would have contacted you about it. I only have to driveabout 2 hours each way to pick up mine.
I would MUCH rather have the white interior that yours has over the black interior that mine has. I never saw the black before.......is it rare or something? All I know is its going to be HOT as heck in the summer sun! Need to get some seat covers or white "boat towels", and a good bimini top.
Let me know if you want to trade your run of the mill white interior for my ultra rare special edition black interior! LOL!

b0atguy

[b0atguy]

Just checked my Land and Sea jackplate, and you guys are right...........4" setback. I think I will go with that to start. I would rather have less porpoising vs a few mph on the top end. Dont need to ski,tube or wakeboard with it, as we have a ski boat for that. This will just be a fun go-fast boat to keep up with the big boys on the river! See you out on the river, Riverratt ;).
Still have to pick up the new ride......this week sometime. Then the Bridgeport EFI motor swap, jackplate, hydraulic steering, getting it dialed in and proping. Should be a blast. I have a 24P RE3 to start with.
Thanks for all the help guys, will post some pics on the progress.

b0atguy

[blowitup]

I seen the Vegas in local craigslist.If you have time tomorrow i can take you for blast in Lake Ontario.
Scott

[b0atguy]

Scott, thanks for the offer. That would be cool, but I am about 4 hours away. The guy I am buying the Vegas from offered to meet me half way this week, so I wouldnt have to drive the whole way. Nice huh !
What motor are you running on yours?
Thanks,
b0atguy


I seen the Vegas in local craigslist.If you have time tomorrow i can take you for blast in Lake Ontario.
Scott

[200VEGAS]

i run 12" and can cut back to 9 with this plate, but i like the way it feels at 12. except by my self. it feels really light and congrats on pickin a fine steed. there are better, but a vegas is a lot of fun. it also can be a challenge to drive. but if it was easy every time yiu got in there you would just hit the gas and go wide open. i always wanted a boat that i couldnt just get in and run wide open . one that scared me a little i guess. mine porpuses below about 25 or maybe 30. but right after that i run flat trim and can carry 5 at 12" back and even with bobs lwp. a 28 chopper cruises at 35 at 3500. its nice, i tell ya

[blowitup]

1994 XRI 200,6" hydraulic jp

[A164]

http://www.hydrostream.org/ArticleArchives/HullTech.htm
http://www.corboatracing.com/hydrostream-yt-tunnel-patent