New engines are installed and ready for spring

[Brad Zastrow]

Finally, the 300R's showed up. Couple months late. Getting cold here so will have to wait for spring to test. Plus, I will need to do some fabrication to the center wing-plate for the tie bars. Tie bars require two holes in center plate and not the one it comes with. Added a new interior this spring. The price of new four stroke cats is so high it makes sense to upgrade what you have for a lot less money. When I bought the boat it came with triple 280's. Then upgraded to triple 300X and picked up 10 mph. Now triple 300R should be another big improvement.

[mikesufka]

Cool stuff Brad - can't wait to hear about it after you get a chance to play with it on the water !!

MDS

[Chaz]

Commadore,

You can always rake the yard while you're waiting for the climate to change .. :thumbsup:

https://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=512118&d=1668008279

[moatorbotin]

Commadore,

You can always rake the yard while you're waiting for the climate to change .. :thumbsup:



That is what the wind is for, those leaves will be gone by spring.

[Brad Zastrow]

I prefer leaves falling off trees to riding out another Hurricane in Florida.

[FUJIMO]

https://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=512119&d=1668008344

[FUJIMO]

https://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=512120&d=1668008364

[JBS]

I'd have to go south for some testing. Should see a big improvement!

[Chaz]

That is what the wind is for, those leaves will be gone by spring.

I see, quite responsible yankee attitude. Let the neighbors deal with your garbage .. :cool:

Commodore quips:

I prefer leaves falling off trees to riding out another Hurricane in Florida.

Price ya pay for living in paradise. I notice we have people flocking here from everywhere .. not many say .. I'm leaving, I'd rather live in Detroit, Baltimore or Chitcargo ... :nonod: :p

Fug-chi redacted earlier statement .. ;)
You forgot to mention, a block from the water .. with dock rights. Two blocks from the ramp. Four gates, motorhome, shop, street and marina. Boat house. Flower garden, vegetable garden (where CRUD stays when he visits), and prop garden. Fire pit, BBQ area, two picnic tables, gazebo, hot-tub.

And you ... HOA, breathing down your neck .. :rolleyes:

PS .. The Commadore wouldn't like it here in beautiful Palm City .. Free State, Trump flags, DeSantis stickers on every bumper .. would make his liberal mind implode .. :D

[Zukiride]

Super cool to see, nice job sir!

[CUDA]

That's a Keeper for sure

Beautiful

[Tomanytoys]

That’s damn sexy but all kidding aside…….I need to come build you a garage!!

[sick_nick]

Commadore,

You can always rake the yard while you're waiting for the climate to change ...

i call it horsepower season!

[mikesufka]

Brad -

Is the weather window closed for boating on LOTO this fall ? Otherwise I'd drag it down and visit Dave :)

MDS

[Brad Zastrow]

I am not driving 9 hours each way just to test. I can wait.

[CUDA]

Just wear your snowmobile gear ;)

no ice... YET:cheers:

[JBS]

I am not driving 9 hours each way just to test. I can wait.

Gotcha, that's a long way.

[mikesufka]

I am not driving 9 hours each way just to test. I can wait.

Didn't realize it was that far ...

MDS

[moatorbotin]

70* Here in Michigan today, may sneak a ride in myself.

[hellbents-10]

I look forward to seeing what the 300r combo does over the X combo!!!

Its warm here in West Michigan but too darn windy to fly on the pad haha.

[Chaz]

i call it horsepower season!

Boats up yonder are 10 mph faster ... till they bring them down here in the middle of summer ... ;)

Homestead / Miami ...

2504' DA / 130 water grains

https://airdensityonline.com/track-results/Homestead_Miami_Speedway/

Chit-cargo ...

2093' DA / 44 water grains

https://airdensityonline.com/track-results/Chicagoland_Speedway/

Englishtown ... (we only get that kind of air in Feb - March) :o

594' DA / 55 water grains

https://airdensityonline.com/track-results/Old_Bridge_Township_Raceway_Park/

[John S]

Brad, what props are you going to start with? Beautiful work on the interior also.

[Brad Zastrow]

I have three set of props to try. 32x15.25 five blade cleavers 32x14.75 five blade cleavers and a set 32x15 Bravos that actually worked ok on the last setup.

[scott reierson]

Boat looks great Brad! Thanks for posting.

[FUJIMO]

...whats the break-in procedure?...

[hellbents-10]

Boats up yonder are 10 mph faster ... till they bring them down here in the middle of summer ... ;)

Homestead / Miami ...

2504' DA / 130 water grains

https://airdensityonline.com/track-results/Homestead_Miami_Speedway/

Chit-cargo ...

2093' DA / 44 water grains

https://airdensityonline.com/track-results/Chicagoland_Speedway/

Englishtown ... (we only get that kind of air in Feb - March) :o

594' DA / 55 water grains

https://airdensityonline.com/track-results/Old_Bridge_Township_Raceway_Park/

In west MI I often run in 2500ft DA in the summer so I know! My 112 run was -250ft DA hahahahahahahaha!

[DangerNewb]

...whats the break-in procedure?...

You may laugh, but the book says random rpm up to 4500 along with 1 minute wide open every 10 minutes. So in other words, run the crap out of it.

[Chaz]

...whats the break-in procedure?...

Seems to depend on if they are on a keeper ... or for sale . ;)

hellbents-10

In west MI I often run in 2500ft DA in the summer so I know! My 112 run was -250ft DA hahahahahahahaha!


I saw -350 at the Gator nationals one year .... dog days of summer +3800 .

Makes yur 112 mph piece good fer 97 - 99 ... all day long.. :smiletest:

[hellbents-10]

I run 103-105 on the 2500 DA days with a passenger, the boat has progressed into a solid 100+ boat all day every day on command.

[DangerNewb]

Seems to depend on if they are on a keeper ... or for sale . ;)

I ran mine gently, varying rpm, as per common sense and had a lot of gas in the oil after the first 15 hours. Changed the oil, and ran it harder and it seems to be better now.

I was surprised by what the book said, but those are the instructions for the first 10 hours.

[Chaz]

Not tryin to argue .. but you out of anyone should know 2500 ain't 3800 .

I'd go from Moroso, Orlando or Bradenton .. to Stanton, Milan or Martin .. and pick up .3 tenth's and 9 to 11 MPH .. just sayin :)

[hellbents-10]

It is similar to how I break engines in on the dyno. Get the coolant and oil temp up, shut it down check it over. Then do a couple solid power pulls working your way up to max rpm. Shut it down check the oil filter, lash and maybe a retorque on heads if its a copper gasket deal. Then more tuning and running it WOT. The most important thing for proper break in is load, RPM and a properly tuned engine.

Customers will ask what the break in procedure is and they are stunned when I say none after the dyno testing. Its 100% ready for battle. Anyone selling a racing engine with a drawn out slow break in procedure is just trying to get you closer to the end of the "warranty".

[Chaz]

as per common sense

Quite "uncommon" these days ... wouldn't ya say .. :cheers:

[hellbents-10]

Not tryin to argue .. but you out of anyone should know 2500 ain't 3800 .

I'd go from Moroso, Orlando or Bradenton .. to Stanton, Milan or Martin .. and pick up .3 tenth's and 9 to 11 MPH .. just sayin :)

Maybe true on my Tuff.
I race with turbos though haha, I run 198-200 if the DA is 600 or 4000. Somedays you run 55psi of boost others might be 65psi+.

[Chaz]

Not bad .. it only took 34 posts .. for you to prove my point .. :D

Atmospheric conditions have an effect on the ability to produce horsepower. ;)

If they didn't, you wouldn't need extra dome pressure to get back to where you were.

I remember a couple years ago .. Putz crying like a new-born @ Bandimere, I needed you (Scott Taylor) to give me an extra half hour to get spooled up ... :rolleyes:
I rekkon, sometimes it don't matter what ya got on top .. if ya can't get it to move off the bottom ... buuuuwaaawwww

[hellbents-10]

Yes Chaz you must be smarter then me.

[Chaz]

Yes Chaz you must be smarter then me.

Really .. :rolleyes:

Thats very disappointing, I thought you would be up for a civil discussion on water grains and their effect on detonation, power production, etc.

Guess I was wrong about you .. my apologies.

Comadore .. nice hooptie .. there, everyone should be ecstatic now .. :)

[hellbents-10]

Nothing to debate lol. Water grains are piss for making HP! Timing is your friend if you are air pump limited. Gm makes a nice humidity sensor to use to take action with in that department.

[Muskoka2]

Finally, the 300R's showed up. Couple months late. Getting cold here so will have to wait for spring to test. Plus, I will need to do some fabrication to the center wing-plate for the tie bars. Tie bars require two holes in center plate and not the one it comes with. Added a new interior this spring. The price of new four stroke cats is so high it makes sense to upgrade what you have for a lot less money. When I bought the boat it came with triple 280's. Then upgraded to triple 300X and picked up 10 mph. Now triple 300R should be another big improvement.
Wouldn't 2 450's have been lighter/less drag=faster?

[Muskoka2]

Just wear your snowmobile gear ;)

no ice... YET:cheers:
Floater suit!

[Speed Jr.]

Wouldn't 2 450's have been lighter/less drag=faster?

We talked about that option in depth. On the top end, it might be faster....Maybe. It would require an extensive re-rig of the boat, plus the 3rd motor will make a huge difference when it comes to acceleration. It is a 36 footer, lots of mass to push. We mostly run on smaller lakes, so the extra torque will come in handy. The boat is setup extremely well as a triple, so it was the path of least resistance....And let's face it, it's cool as hell. Lol.

[mikesufka]

What was the speed gain going from 280’s to 300X’s ?

MDS

[Speed Jr.]

What was the speed gain going from 280’s to 300X’s ?

MDS

Im sure BZ will chime in. Light load, perfect conditions about 6 or so mph. Real world conditions, fuel and passengers about 10mph. The 300x motors can cruise at 90mph without breaking a sweat. Those 280s were absolutely screaming to get the boat rolling. Sounded cool, but they were grenades. The 300x motors were better better in every way. Can't wait to see the 300R motors with big props, higher x dimension will do. Below is a clip from 6 years ago when Brad first put the 300x motors on with not so great props. He picked up a lot of speed with the modern 5 blade cleavers.


https://youtu.be/rEdfh0FlpXE

[Brad Zastrow]

We talked about that option in depth. On the top end, it might be faster....Maybe. It would require an extensive re-rig of the boat, plus the 3rd motor will make a huge difference when it comes to acceleration. It is a 36 footer, lots of mass to push. We mostly run on smaller lakes, so the extra torque will come in handy. The boat is setup extremely well as a triple, so it was the path of least resistance....And let's face it, it's cool as hell. Lol.


I spoke at length with friends who have both engines including Larry. Twin 450s are a lot more money than Triple 300's. Also would need to go with a dash panel on the 450's which is big $$$. The 300R are an optional analog friendly engine, so the Smartcraft and the gauges in the boat will work just fine. In addition, the throttles and shifters would need to be replaced on the 450's as they are DTS (digital). All told it would be another $50,000 to rig twin 450 vs the triples 300. I believe they would be faster top end with the twins, but triples punch real hard and the cool factor is much higher. It was an easy decision.

[FUJIMO]

...i still don't understand why you can't just test now. its only november...;)...https://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=512440&d=1668693908

[JPEROG]

I would be headed to Florida for a couple weeks. Find a place to rent or stay on the St. Johns at or North of Lake George.

Joe

[OnPad]

...i still don't understand why you can't just test now. its only november...;)...https://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=512440&d=1668693908

Looked like me last weekend, minus the snow.
Engine ran real good in 30° air. Even caught a 4lb bass out of 39° water.

[DangerNewb]

...i still don't understand why you can't just test now. its only november...;)...https://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=512440&d=1668693908

That's cold in more ways than one.

[altamate]

I would be headed to Florida for a couple weeks. Find a place to rent or stay on the St. Johns at or North of Lake George.

Joe

I think I would be so eager to find out that this would be my solution too.

Brad is obviously a far more patient person.

[Brad Zastrow]

Taking a long road trip with a boat that is 10'3" wide is a real pain. I have been in a number of 4 stroke boats to know what it will do. The gains will not be that big. The 300X motor has a lot of power, but the new four strokes are much more friendly to drive. Easier on gas and no smoke. I expect up to 5-10 mph more top end.

[John S]

Not to mention that most of the Midwest has gotten snow by now, so the roads are salted/sanded up. No reason to trash that beautiful setup.

[JPEROG]

Ran my boat today at LOTO. 65 and sunny with very little traffic on the lake. It was almost eerie not seeing boats everywhere.

Motors like the cool air and water.

Joe

[Capt.Insane-o]

I can't wait for the virgin prop shafts to fail.

[DangerNewb]

Taking a long road trip with a boat that is 10'3" wide is a real pain. I have been in a number of 4 stroke boats to know what it will do. The gains will not be that big. The 300X motor has a lot of power, but the new four strokes are much more friendly to drive. Easier on gas and no smoke. I expect up to 5-10 mph more top end.

I'm getting close to 3mpg at 70mph with twins on a 25 Liberator.

[cowisl]

Cool boat and project!

[Brad Zastrow]

I can't wait for the virgin prop shafts to fail.

For about the last year Mercury has gone with a one-piece prop shaft to help eliminate the dreaded shaft that would snap off at the seal area. These motors have the new shafts.

[mikesufka]

Any updates ? When is the Fox Chain boatable ?

MDS

[Speed Jr.]

Any updates ? When is the Fox Chain boatable ?

MDS

Engines all fired up and celebrated. It's still pretty cold down here but most the ice is gone. Could be boating soon when it warms up. :cheers:

[Lake rat Skater]

You guys get the boat in the water yet?

[mikesufka]

You guys get the boat in the water yet?


Let’s go Big Bad Brad - can’t wait to hear about the new set up :)

MDS

[Speed Jr.]

Let’s go Big Bad Brad - can’t wait to hear about the new set up :)

MDS

He's been out testing engine heights, props, etc.....It's running strong.
519126

[rl]

looks great brad, a fantastic job, love the choices and colors

[Brad Zastrow]

The 300R is far superior in every way to the X. No matter what I post a certain person contributes trash.

[OnPad]

Champagne wishes and four stroke dreams.

[HydroSkreamin]

The 300R is far superior in every way to the X. No matter what I post a certain person contributes trash.

How long did it take to get used to the V8 4-stroke sound vs the growl of the V6 2-stroke? It was weird for me the first time taking my boat out with a V8 on it.

Hope it runs to your satisfaction. I'll bet the midrange fuel economy and punch is phenomenal.

[Brad Zastrow]

My only complaint is they are too quiet. When I bought the boat it had triple 280 ROS that sounded incredible at 8500 rpm. The swap to 300X was disappointing as they were not as loud but more reliable and faster than the 280's. The 300R has a growl but is much quieter in the cockpit for sure. The boat planes off faster, and the midrange torque is noticeable. Top end I am dialing in as these motors are very sensitive to engine height with the bigger cases. It is faster for sure. Just a matter of how much. Triples are a real pain to dial in as the toe in changes with height changes of the outside motors. Today I adjusted them again for the sixth time. Once it is set you can leave it. Every triple I have had took a long time to dial in. This one has been extra hard as I am no longer using the hull water pickups the 300X used. The best part of these new motors is the gas mileage is double and I can use 87 octane instead of 93 octane. No smoke, no stalling when shifting. Never going back to two-stroke.

[OnPad]

Have to give a little respect to a man that shows some iniative to maximize, whatever stroke floats his boat.

[mikesufka]

Speaking of 300X’s, I fed Jen enough cocktails at Moonlight Bay for her to yell “Lean on it” on the way home …. I did ….. big 28 Skater ran 110 mph on the blast home :)

MDS

PS: Brad - glad you’re having fun - good looking rig

[CUDA]

I've never had a problem blowing up motors, I have a real outboard mechanic do all my work

I would not trust some welder to build my stuff, yes your a good welder, but leave it there,

Your buddys are the ones who tell me about your mechanical screw ups:D

otherwise how would I know,

change my quote huh more Fake news, your speciality

"Your Jealous because you can't keep your motors running becasue you made them big bore JUNK"

[Scream And Fly]

Looks awesome. And yeah, the 300R really is superior to its old counterpart. I love them both though.

[TooStroked]

My only complaint is they are too quiet. When I bought the boat it had triple 280 ROS that sounded incredible at 8500 rpm.
I hear ya on missing the sound of a two stroke at full song. When my son found out I was giving up mine to go to a four stroke, he said, "Dad, I can hear you come out of the hole a mile down the lake. Are you willing to give that up?" Yup.

[John S]

Curious, why didn't you keep the hull mounted water pick-ups? And why do we not have any videos to drool over?:D I was on a 36' sailboat yesterday, and I was laughing thinking something the same length goes over 100 MPH faster than I was going.

[Z06man]

I think he is not using the hull mounted water pickups to keep his 3 - 8 year factory warranty.

[Z06man]

Set up is going to take a while with trips but on 32 Skater best speed ever with twin 300X was 98 boat now has 300R will run over 100 every day .So they are a little stronger on a heavy boat at least . By the way they were not weak 300x motors he had 18 different powerheads over the years . Never ever saw 99 with any 300X

[Double Rigged]

Set up is going to take a while with trips but on 32 Skater best speed ever with twin 300X was 98 boat now has 300R will run over 100 every day .So they are a little stronger on a heavy boat at least . By the way they were not weak 300x motors he had 18 different powerheads over the years . Never ever saw 99 with any 300X
Must have been weak engines or props on 32 skater. Personally know of one a few years back ran in 120s
just sayin. Also on most 28 skaters I know of 300r is no faster than a 300xs setup. In fact 300x set up on a 28 118 to 120 all day. Don’t get me wrong motors are becoming obsolete and drink crazy amounts of fuel, oil and smoke. The 300r is a very nice motor. I had a pair also and switched to 4 strokes. IMO mother Mercury should give 300r more rpm up to 6800. Would allow for even more acceleration.

[Dave S]

HaaaHaa....Yaaa......pist.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w

[Dave S]

Yaaa go for the Trim......:cheers::cheers:......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWGJA9i18Co

[Speed Jr.]

Good day with BZ and a few other stragglers......


519404519405519406519407519408519409519410

[Z06man]

Must have been weak engines or props on 32 skater. Personally know of one a few years back ran in 120s
just sayin. Also on most 28 skaters I know of 300r is no faster than a 300xs setup. In fact 300x set up on a 28 118 to 120 all day. Don’t get me wrong motors are becoming obsolete and drink crazy amounts of fuel, oil and smoke. The 300r is a very nice motor. I had a pair also and switched to 4 strokes. IMO mother Mercury should give 300r more rpm up to 6800. Would allow for even more acceleration.

I think you missed the part i said twins.Never have seen a 32 with twins get to 120 Porta had High Risk race boat and never saw a 100 with Twins

[Z06man]

519413

[CUDA]

https://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=519413&d=1685327535

[mikesufka]

Is the blue cat a 32 DW with 300’s ? And the Orange a 36 DW with 400’s ?

MDS

[Z06man]

Yes Kirk has 32DW With 300R and Super Dave with the 36 DW 400R The red 28DW Design Fat Cat is my old boat with 300R and I miss it .

[Brad Zastrow]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2zyHREEsGs

This past Sunday I wanted to do some more testing and a few friends showed up. Larry Gempp with his 21 Liberator 300R, Dan with his 28 Doug Wright 300R, Skater Dave with his 36 Doug Wright 400R, Kirk Jurinek with his 32 Doug Wright 300R, my 36 Talon with 300R and we allowed our friend Jack to bring his new 38 Eliminator with twin 800's. It was fun and made quite the spectacle on our Chain-O-Lake here in Illinois. The DW's were out in force. Those hulls are really fast. The new four strokes have a different sound than I am used to.

[Brad Zastrow]

519442519443519444519445519446519447519448Pictures from Sunday courtesy Larry Gempp.519441

[22R]

519442519443519444519445519446519447519448Pictures from Sunday courtesy Larry Gempp.519441

Beautiful Boats !! Thanks for sharing the pictures.

22R

[Speed Jr.]

Zastrow running hard today at the Four Horseman Poker Run. :cheers:
519943
519944

[JBS]

Fine looking boat you got there Brad

[Chaz]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2zyHREEsGs

we allowed our friend Jack to bring his new 38 Eliminator with twin 800's

Let me guess ... you bought the river ... :rolleyes:

Jr. quips:

BZ and a few other stragglers......

So zesty was a straggler too ... :eek:

I'm sure the others had to sign a no compete clause .. :p

I don't gotz my glasses with me ... but is there three dudes in that boat called menage a trois ... ??? :leaving:

[Brad Zastrow]

What made you a foolish bitter man?

[mikesufka]

What made you a foolish bitter man?

Don’t bother - nice he tries to wreck your thread - what an idiot

MDS

[Chaz]

What made you a foolish bitter man?

Bradley, if your gonna call me names .. at least get it right. Brilliant and observant are way more accurate ... :D

Sukfa ... Go back and read , I commented only on what was written by Bradley and his dog .. who called him a straggler. :p
As far as three dudes in a boat with a sexually explicit name emblazoned on the top and sides .. he didn't deny it .... and by your reaction, you must be one of em .. :eek:

[mikesufka]

More incoherent nonsense - try being a positive contributor to the forum.

MDS

[Chaz]

Sukfa, Learn to read, instead of holding the whole class back ...

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.21_NsSpEQme2xSnuTYap3gHaHa&pid=Api&P=0&h=180

[mikesufka]

You’re so clever - stay classy

MDS

[David]

Do you know the top speed yet vs prior motors? Did you need to change props?

[FUJIMO]

...turned out mighty purdy...:thumbsup:...https://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=519943&d=1686439559

[FUJIMO]

https://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=519404&d=1685317854

[scott reierson]

Nice shot Brad. If thats McHenry the river looks high. We've had no rain up here until yesterday. Lakes are low up here.

[Brad Zastrow]

Nice shot Brad. If thats McHenry the river looks high. We've had no rain up here until yesterday. Lakes are low up here.

Lake Winnebago. Four Horsemen Poker Run. That is my 86-year-old Father in the boat. He loves to go fast. The other pic is McHenry. Water is low but not bad.

[cowisl]

love the resto. Please watch your motor mount bolts. all of us at last weekends race have loose bolts.