Baddest Motor

[filter]

Just wondering what is the baddest motor I can put on one 1986 Hydro valero YT? Any input appreciated. Would i ahve to strengthen the transom with composites? Move Make another gas tank and mount it up front? ( weight distribution ) how fast caould you go with two 2.5 drags on this thing? Can it be done?
Or a beefed up merc 300?:confused:

[NPW]

depends on the pucker factor:D

[filter]

Which end are you referring to...ha So you have to pucker to get a sponsor well that stinks.:D

[BenKeith]

I don't think he was refering to puckering up for a sponser. It's how much your nerves can stand before your ====hole has done drawn up so tight it's around you're neck chokeing you.

[filter]

Well cmon guys thats the whole point of goin fast. So you still fell like a virgin ater your better half has spent everything.. ha

[Techno]

IF you already have the boat rigged you can get a good idea of the load by climbing onto the OB. now you have to find a friend to join you, thats the wieght of 2 OBs hanging on the back and if the boat is still floating...
2 engines aren't going to make you faster, only accellerate much faster. They will also cause you worry about 2 high $$ lower units and make you buy props in pairs. Mo' money Mo' money Mo' money! Forget the forward mounted fuel tank, replace the passenger seats with tanks.

The transom isn't reinforced so much by composites as the structures that spread the loading to the rest of the hull, like transom knees.

The engine type depends on what you want to do.
I still don't know the differences but I think a 280, 260 or drag
I think that is the order of usability going from start it and go, to it only goes fast. I think the drags don't have a charging system.

Also 2 OBs are going to cost more than a new boat with 1 good OB especially if they are 2 -$20,000 drags.

[filter]

Waht about a 300Merc? Too big? Not enough weight to power gain?:eek:

[us1]

A Drag motor is 300 HP. Technos right about the costs but there is another good thing he missed about twins, you will never need to be towed in again. It sounds silly but that sense of security in the extra motor is enjoyed greatly by me.;)

[tombrown]

600 hp on an 18 foot Valero? Why am I the only one freaked out by that?

Filter, I'm a novice in this crowd. I'm not an engine man and I'm completely unfamiliar with your hull. Keep that in mind. All I have to offer is an uneducated opinion.

If I were you, I would be worried about making a mess out of the boat with all that weight on the back. Do you care about handling at all? Have you thought of using a single 2.5 liter JSRE modified engine? I would think that with a decent setup Mr. Smith could have you easily running past the century mark with your Valero. If that's not enough, you could try a nitrous setup. I would have to think that it would be cheaper than dual drags and it would still serve up all the speed the Valero could handle. Again, I'm not familiar with the Valero so take this opinion for the amateur musing that it is.

As far as the power goes, I understand that power required for a given speed is a second order function. That is to say, you will need to square the power to double the speed. In other words, there will be diminishing returns as you ramp up the power. Your efforts might be better spent reducing drag. Perhaps if you had one of those super sleek direct drive lower units designed for racing, you could bring it out once in a while and make the jump to delight speed.

Please be safe.


Regards,

Tom Brown

[us1]

Hi Tom, I was not suggesting he runs twin I was only commenting in general about twins. Twins on that boat would be nothing less than undriveably dangerous.

[tombrown]

My post reads like an indictment. John, I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to put words into anyone's mouth.

Filter, it sounds to me like you're trolling for ideas to make your Valero YT the best it can be. I know this hull by reputation only but I think I can give you some things to thing about. Again, I am the least knowledgeable person to respond so far. That's not me being modest; that's fact. Since I don't know your level of knowledge, I feel that I should take nothing for granted. I don't want to insult your intelligence but I don't want you to get hurt, either.

What do you want to do with the boat? Do you want to be able to ski and cruise? Do you want to optimize your 1/4 mile times? Do you want to optimize your top speed? Think about your goals.

I understand that a 2.5 liter can be made to perform better than a brand new 3.0 liter 300 hp Mercury. It'll be lighter too. I don't know how a hopped up 2.5 liter would compare to a 300X. To me, the 2.5 liter Mercury is the correct engine for the Valero YT. It will provide a lot of power and your boat will still handle the way it was intended to.

I see you're in Washington state. I'm guessing the lakes there are large and deep. You probably need decent rough water handling because weather can and does happen fast in the mountains.

Unlike you, I boat on an extremely limited budget. For that reason, I would look at finding a used 260 if I were wanting to rig an insane Valero. Since that's close to double the recommended power for the hull, you'll need to provide quite a bit of additional transom strength. I would think you should go with splash well rods at the very least. If I were you, I think I'd look at putting in some knee braces as well.

The 260 should put you in the 100+ mph league. I would wait on sending the block off to JSRE to turn it into a fire-breathing monster. Get to know it first and take it easy. 100 mph is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Keep in mind that it would be irresponsible to build a speed monster and take 4 passengers out for a 125 mph ride. Above 80 mph, or so, everyone in the boat needs safety equipment. They need to understand the risk they're taking too. Don't take this lightly. There's a lot of information on safety equipment in these forums. Seek it out and be safe.

Check out the I.H.R. You might want to look through the Registry for other Valero YT owners and drop them a message asking about their engine choice, performance, and handling.

Whatever you do, please let us know how you make out. The Valero is a beautiful boat and thinking about a re-power is a lot of fun. You're a lucky man.


Regards,

Tom Brown

[us1]

No offence taken Tom, you just made me think about how my post sounded and I did not want people to think I was condoning a twin Valero.:)

[filter]

I was just wondering what could be done to this rig if you wanted to take it to tthe limit. I would like to push around 100plus but that is in due time. I just bought the boat and it does about 85mph. Just wondering?

[Michael Dixon]

Set the boat up with a single drag motor(a 15'' motor will fit and seems to drive a little better) If you run a 30 lightning or a 30 chopper, I don't think you'll want another powerhead on that hull. As for gas tanks, keep them in the rear. Unless you run a big stereo and amps a 16 amp charging system will be fine. As for rough water, you shouldn't be too worried in the valero. Top speed in mine was more than I cared to try on a regular basis. If your not another speed freak like most of us you'll be happy with a 260. It should run close to a 100. Good Luck

[filter]

I am just thinking of what to do in the future. thanks for the input