Eliminator with twin Evolution V8's

[mercpower]

Have a chance to buy this boat (Late 80's Eliminator Daytona with twin Evolution V8's) but I'm a little unsure of the value and how to verify if they are true Evolution motors.
boat is in great shape, it's just something I'm not super familiar with but I have always wanted on like it. Any input on this combo would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

[vnemous]

I think the biggest problem is you will have to change your screen name:D

[JPEROG]

Is it a 23 or 27? I imagine that a 23 would be fun if you got it balanced correctly (I had a 24 skater with them and it was a nightmare) but the center pod will help a lot. The 27 is a really big boat.

Joe

[mercpower]

It is the 23'

[jjmalkow]

Look by the freeze plug on the block. My V4looper had EVO stamped there and a number.

[BUZZIN' DOZEN]

Marv Jorgenson had a 23 wth triple 2.4's and handled fine

[jjmalkow]

369998 There's a pic of mine.

[Krazymaan]

what does evolution mean?

[BUZZIN' DOZEN]

Evolution Marine was a hot rod OMC builder

[outboards4life]

every evolution motor that I have seen has had that EVO stamp on it by the freeze plug.

[Krazymaan]

Evo, Only V8's?

[jjmalkow]

Evo, Only V8's?

Nope, V6s and V4s, also. The pic of the plug is on my V4.

[V-bottom]

Have a chance to buy this boat (Late 80's Eliminator Daytona with twin Evolution V8's) but I'm a little unsure of the value and how to verify if they are true Evolution motors.
boat is in great shape, it's just something I'm not super familiar with but I have always wanted on like it. Any input on this combo would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

Have you driven the boat? That might help you make up your mind if/how the engines perform on that hull. There was a stage 1,2,3,4. The Evolution V8's with the stage 4 upgrades were advertised as making close to 400 hp? Keep in mind the motors are approx 30 years old and you will keep in good cardio condition refilling the tank. I would figure 60+ gallons per hour above 5000 rpm. I would consider repowering the hull if this is to be your everyday pleasure boat.

[mercpower]

Thanks for all your help! Thanks for the pic of the freeze plug never even heard of them stamping them like that. Honestly it just seems like such a deal maybe I'm wrong is $9k about what that package should sell for since it's that old?

[V-bottom]

Thanks for all your help! Thanks for the pic of the freeze plug never even heard of them stamping them like that. Honestly it just seems like such a deal maybe I'm wrong is $9k about what that package should sell for since it's that old?

If everything works and perform well - then it sounds like a deal. Just factor in $ 200 per hour if you wanna go fast and put gas and oil in it.

[STV_Keith]

Have you driven the boat? That might help you make up your mind if/how the engines perform on that hull. There was a stage 1,2,3,4. The Evolution V8's with the stage 4 upgrades were advertised as making close to 400 hp? Keep in mind the motors are approx 30 years old and you will keep in good cardio condition refilling the tank. I would figure 60+ gallons per hour above 5000 rpm. I would consider repowering the hull if this is to be your everyday pleasure boat.

The Stage 4 V8's were advertised as 435hp. This is what I had on my Scarab when I bought it. They were a bit high strung and had a big surge in the midrange. You could not get them to run between 3500 and 4500. If they touched 3500, they just took off for 4500. You could not make them stay between. They did pull past 7200 through.

[mercpower]

370093

[jjmalkow]

I saw that on Craigslist. Cool rig. I'd like to see under the hoods.

[Brad Zastrow]

There was a guy on the Chain-o-Lakes in Illinois with a 23 with twin V-8's. He had the money and likes to go fast. Might be the same boat. The boat looked like it was sinking at idle. Engines were way too heavy for the that hull. The boat only went a 100 mph. Really hard on gas.

[TooStroked]

Man, that thing's got "rode hard and put away (soaking) wet" written all over it. Be careful!

[MattGreen]

Good advice from the previous posters, one more thing to think about - gearcase reliability and parts availability. Right hand V8s lower units are hard to get parts for, let alone lefties. There have been some good threads about this, have a read through and consider those potential costs too. Do you have a good relationship with an experienced OMC mechanic ?

Matt

[HydroSkreamin]

Man, that thing's got "rode hard and put away (soaking) wet" written all over it. Be careful!
Yeah, I ran across that and thought, "Holy crap, that one's going to be worse than mine!!" I'm finishing up a 3 year project on an 87 model, and it looked a lot nicer than this one and I've literally removed EVERY piece of wood from it; floor, transom, stringers, core...you name it. No way, man. They are cool looking boats, but if they weren't stored dry, or sat floating in the water, they're doomed.

If you want to see what the rot looks like, I have a build thread on RDP. http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/showthread.php?155360-Project-StressEliminator-Restomod-23-Daytona

(http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/showthread.php?155360-Project-StressEliminator-Restomod-23-Daytona)

[mercpower]

Thanks for all your help and opinions. I think I am going to follow the sound advice I get on this page and let this one pass. Thanks again, if anyone else wants roll the dice I can forward he contact info.

[JPEROG]

Yeah, I ran across that and thought, "Holy crap, that one's going to be worse than mine!!" I'm finishing up a 3 year project on an 87 model, and it looked a lot nicer than this one and I've literally removed EVERY piece of wood from it; floor, transom, stringers, core...you name it. No way, man. They are cool looking boats, but if they weren't stored dry, or sat floating in the water, they're doomed.

If you want to see what the rot looks like, I have a build thread on RDP. http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/showthread.php?155360-Project-StressEliminator-Restomod-23-Daytona

(http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/showthread.php?155360-Project-StressEliminator-Restomod-23-Daytona)

I just checked out your thread on R.D. What a project-will you have it ready for the 3 lakes run? We are making the drive and just got reservations at Northernaire in Eagle River. From what Mark and Jana say, its a must do.

Joe

[STV_Keith]

Thanks for all your help and opinions. I think I am going to follow the sound advice I get on this page and let this one pass. Thanks again, if anyone else wants roll the dice I can forward he contact info.

Find yourself the hull you want and buy my Monty 380hp V8's with Merc CLE lowers. :) Already fixed the weak links. After having the Evo Stage 4's before the Monty's, I'd not want the Stage 4's for a lake boat. Too finicky.

[HydroSkreamin]

Thanks for all your help and opinions. I think I am going to follow the sound advice I get on this page and let this one pass. Thanks again, if anyone else wants roll the dice I can forward he contact info.

Sorry to burst your bubble, man, but that is what we're here for, to save each other from projects like that. If I would have asked those questions of my boat, I probably wouldn't own it now, either. I'm glad it's almost done, but I've served my time, and really don't see myself signing up to do it again.

Hope you find something you like and is ready to use!

[HydroSkreamin]

I just checked out your thread on R.D. What a project-will you have it ready for the 3 lakes run? We are making the drive and just got reservations at Northernaire in Eagle River. From what Mark and Jana say, its a must do.

Joe

I'm hoping to have it on the water by then. I've never been to the event, but I've been in the area. I'd love to go there as well
as I've seen some pretty cool pics from there from previous years. Nice hardware shows up there.