Triple 300X vs triple 280's on a Talon cat

[Brad Zastrow]

I spent a lot of money rebuilding my triple 280's recently including the lower units. I hate break downs. I find it cheaper to rebuild before engines and lowers go bad.
After putting some break in time on the 280's I decided to go with 300X engines. Pulled the 280's and installed three low hour 300X engines last week. The results are remarkable. The 280's have a lot of drag race type acceleration down low but the torque of the 3 liter engines are just what the big Talon needed to cruise at high speed. The boat would cruise at 80 mph with the 280's at 7000 rpm and run to 95 wot. Now it runs 100 mph at 6000 rpm and that is with too much prop. The goal is 110 with better props and setup time. For a 36' boat I am very pleased with the new setup. The 2.5's are a lot of fun on smaller boats, are lighter and much faster than anything available. The 3 liter engines are best on larger boats but I see too many people hanging them on small boats. Too much weight and too sluggish to really be a good setup on smaller boats under 24'
PS: the 280s have been parted out and listed in the market place ads.

[MODVP22]

We need pics and videos to verify these results, LOL

[Brad Zastrow]

After photos. I was with my wife when we tested on shake down cruise on the Chain. Boat planes off more like a normal offshore boat now. Before with the 280's it took off like a drag boat. But the midrange is unreal with the x motors. Pulls a lot harder from 60 mph on. Like I said the 280's are much better on smaller lighter boats. In my opinion the ultimate engine for go fast boats.

[JerseyChris]

I don't think I have ever seen a 36 in person. I don't see any type of center pod, correct? How many were made?

[GRH]

4 blades on the outside 3 blade in the middle.... very nice

[johnmiffco]

awesome set up
totally agree on 2.5 for light hulls and bigger cubes on heavier set ups
lots hate tripps but I love em for the excelleration of 3 blades pushing
and can play with center prop for different ride characteristics
I have 3 blades on outside and 4 in center as the vee bottom plants transom better with it for pleasure crusing and through slop
but gain 5 mph with all 3s in 1' speed runs with light load
again very nice talon,,,,just think what would do with 3 400rs,,,,,,,

[eli]

looks killer with the 300' s on it cannot wait till my next ride . she is a beauty and rides awsum the perfect lake boat especially in mid aft when it gets rough
boat has great attitude ,solid feel I could go on.

[FrenchPhil]

Just curious, what speed do you think you'd get with the center engine gone ?

[Ryan Beckley]

Awesome Boat, I met the original owners, Nina Ross, last summer at LOTO. TALON built some amazing boats, each one different in so many ways. Gary is a true craftsman!

[Brad Zastrow]

Those were the only props I had to run the boat. I think ideally Merc lab three blade 32's with maybe a four blade in the middle. Takes a lot of prop swapping to figure out what is best on each boat. No center pod. It is a 377 Talon cut down to 36' with a completely custom deck. I have not seen any others like it. It was setup for APBA racing rules that allowed up to 36 feet with triple outboards. Total race setup with the throttle man and driver controls. Even has a ballast tank up front. Boat was never raced according to Gary. So far it becoming one of favorite boats. Handles like a dream, eats the waves and now finally has the power. Not the fastest boat I have owned by a long shot but probably gets more attention than anything I have owned before. New name of boat is "Menage a Trois"

[JPEROG]

I can't remember the guys name, but he was out of Canada and I ran a few poker runs with him. He had a 35 motion with 5 260s on it. This hull looks like it could take fourth easy.

Brad, did you ever run with the guy that I am talking about? he came to Michigan for the smoke on the water run, I ran with him on the New York City run, and he was at a couple of the jobbie nooner parties on Lk. St. Claire back 15 years ago.

Joe

[Brad Zastrow]

I've only seen pictures of that 35 motion with the five engines on it years ago. I almost bought a quad engine 300 Promax 35 motion but was talked out of the deal after finding out the boat was not very stable. There's a point where too many props in the water can cause odd things to happen.

[FuelishPleasure]

this it?

[32DougWright]

Great looking boat. I saw it for sale up at Pier 57 - I thought hard about it but couldn't make the time to go look at it. Look forward to seeing you on some runs.

[mr fun]

when I die, I want to come back as you. or Donald Trump, I mean hey, a 757