Fastest SOB hull???

[hellbents-10]

I know I set lofty goals for myself hahaha! The potential is there to go much faster though, I just need to put in the work.

only...

[WavetoWave]

I’ve been watching (and enjoying) this thread for years now. I also happen to own a SOB that was formerly powered by a Diamond Marine massaged Mercury 2.5 / 200. The dyno sheet showed 239 HP and it ran 77 MPH on GPS with an 8” Bob’s Machine Shop jack plate and Latham wing plate hydraulic steering. I’d watched as folks here screwed bigger and bigger motors to the same (and similar) SOBs and the speeds kept creeping up.

I wanted a piece of that action,

I haven’t given up hope yet and I’d propose that next year there will be some breakthroughs on setup for the V8 powered SOBs and we’ll finally see some truly impressive numbers. I’ll certainly be experimenting with mine and will share any breakthroughs that I might have. I hope everybody else will too.

Good post. A few thoughts. The 300R and the other V8s definitely make tons of power and torque, the R is usually a few MPH faster on some hulls but the setup factor is a few things. The gearcase is large and needs to be run very high and the engine is heavy, so setback is really important. Prop selection is different too.

The other factor is that many of these hulls were designed to run on lighter and more modest power. Yes, some have set them up to run really fast, 90+ and even 100+ but depending on what boat we're talking about, you're really pushing the limits. I'd rather have slightly less power run almost as fast and have greater control and efficiency.

Running a 450R on almost any 21' boat is lunacy and "most" of these boats aren't designed well enough for that much power; they just won't harness that much power safely or effectively.

You'll get your 250R dialed in, it will be great. It's a lot of weight so it will handle very differently but should be okay.

[2.5-21]

Good post. A few thoughts. The 300R and the other V8s definitely make tons of power and torque, the R is usually a few MPH faster on some hulls but the setup factor is a few things. The gearcase is large and needs to be run very high and the engine is heavy, so setback is really important. Prop selection is different too.

The other factor is that many of these hulls were designed to run on lighter and more modest power. Yes, some have set them up to run really fast, 90+ and even 100+ but depending on what boat we're talking about, you're really pushing the limits. I'd rather have slightly less power run almost as fast and have greater control and efficiency.

Running a 450R on almost any 21' boat is lunacy and "most" of these boats aren't designed well enough for that much power; they just won't harness that much power safely or effectively.

You'll get your 250R dialed in, it will be great. It's a lot of weight so it will handle very differently but should be okay.

Haven't seen much in the way of these boats with the 400R on them either, At least not pulling any good numbers with them. Or did I miss something?

[Greg G]

...
JMO but so far the only company that I have seen run both 400 and 450 power on the back of there 21 foot model has been Force Boats down in Australia.

The boys down under are known for pressing the envelope and testing on the race circuit. The V8 tall boy may be hurting SOB top speeds when you combine the fat gearcase and the cowl wind resistance. Only time will tell as owners get them dialed in but right now the 300XS seems a bit faster.

[Greg G]

.....
They do things a little different Down Under

https://youtu.be/yGlFXlvWBMI


<iframe width="727" height="409" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yGlFXlvWBMI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[WavetoWave]

...
JMO but so far the only company that I have seen run both 400 and 450 power on the back of there 21 foot model has been Force Boats down in Australia.

The boys down under are known for pressing the envelope and testing on the race circuit. The V8 tall boy may be hurting SOB top speeds when you combine the fat gearcase and the cowl wind resistance. Only time will tell as owners get them dialed in but right now the 300XS seems a bit faster.

That would be rare for the XS to be faster. The R has about 22 more HP, 200 more operating RPM.

Here's the start of a comparison between a 300xs, a DBR and the 300R. In the end the R was 6 MPH faster than the DBR. But setup is everything. That Allison is running 108 or 110 now I believe.

http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=1010988

[Greg G]

...
Seen that test many times. The testing run by river rocket is incredible to watch. He is on S&F often and always has interesting comments on the type of deep v hulls in this thread. One thing to like about the 300R is burning regular fuel.

[Greg G]

I’ve been watching (and enjoying) this thread for years now. I also happen to own a SOB that was formerly powered by a Diamond Marine massaged Mercury 2.5 / 200. The dyno sheet showed 239 HP and it ran 77 MPH on GPS with an 8” Bob’s Machine Shop jack plate and Latham wing plate hydraulic steering. I’d watched as folks here screwed bigger and bigger motors to the same (and similar) SOBs and the speeds kept creeping up.

I wanted a piece of that action, but wasn’t out for the world speed record, so I had my Progression 22 repowered by Jason and Johnny Saris at Performance Marine late last year. With a brand new 250R four-stroke screwed to the transom via a 10” setback Bob’s Machine Shop jack plate and SeaStar Pro hydraulic steering, it ran a solid 88 MPH on a very cold December day.

Last summer was a busy one for me and tackling the setup on my boat was problematic because I didn’t have much time and props were all but impossible to find and try. Johnny ran 88 MPH with a 30” Bblades Blaster four blade over the hub prop. Even though I’ve driven the boat at – and past – it’s limit over the last 28 years, I struggled to get that big number. (Warmer water certainly had a lot to do with it.) But the big difference to me was the handling. Let’s just say that above about 75 MPH, the boat was a handful. Although one could run 88 MPH, the boat was not happy.

With the props I was actually able to get ahold of, I was at least able to determine that the boat liked a thru-hub prop much better from a handling standpoint. I finally got 84 MPH and decent handling out of a 30” Bravo 1 thru hub four blade, but it had too much slip up top and struggled to get out of the hole. Hopefully next year will bring an easing of the supply chain issues that have made getting a prop so close to impossible and I’ll get to try some more props.

So why do I bring all of this up? Because with all of the folks screwing 300R’s to SOBs like mine, I fully expected to hear all sorts of stories about how fast everyone else was going. Surely somebody with a 300R would post in with proof of well over 90 MPH, right? Nope. I’ve seen lots of pictures of SOBs with 300R’s – and even one Progression 22 with a 450R – and all I hear is crickets for amazing top speed numbers. What gives?

So, here’s my thoughts – for what they’re worth. First, the new V8 four strokes are awesome. They’re quiet, fuel efficient and powerful. (I do miss the scream of my two stroke though.) Second, although they’re not as heavy as some other manufacturers motors, they are realistically about 150 lbs. porkier. Third, they have a dramatically different personality when it comes to torque. Quite simply, they have bags of it. What does all of this add up to? A whole different animal – with completely different setup needs.

I think the whole reason I (we) haven’t seen really big numbers yet is that nobody has really figured out the proper setup for top end. Yes, the Jackhammer crew kicked some butt in their 300R powered 21’ Superboat. But remember, that’s a bracketed 60 MPH class. There’s no need for a 95 MPH boat. The 300R merely gives them incredible acceleration up to and the ability to hold 60 MPH in any kind of water. As for the rest of us, I’d propose that the tricks for top end that used to work for big two strokes just don’t work for four strokes. For instance, more setback with a heavy V8 is probably the last thing you want on an SOB.

I haven’t given up hope yet and I’d propose that next year there will be some breakthroughs on setup for the V8 powered SOBs and we’ll finally see some truly impressive numbers. I’ll certainly be experimenting with mine and will share any breakthroughs that I might have. I hope everybody else will too.

Excellent feedback from a guy who has over a decade running the same P22 hull

[Greg G]

21 ft Labsport sporting a 300R..used to have a 300XS. Waiting for comparisons after they test...

One Labsport 21 ran 98.3mph with a stock 300XS per the photo and another Labsport 21 with a 300R ran a best of 96.4mph with a 5 blade.

Both of these hulls are set up to tow skiers I believe, not for top end. One of the few direct comparisons that are out there so far for rough water V hulls.

Perhaps more will surface over time.

[Greg G]

Lets see more of this boat. Pricing?

It's Bernico's F1 Xtreme S model. The "S" is for Social or the family use layout. These are 23'4" and 7' wide, 24 degree V hulls. The Belgium builder makes it in race set up with twin ballast tanks and also social with an under bow cabin, rear hatch storage, swivel buckets etc. Good match for the Merc 450 monster.

[WavetoWave]

The 300R is definitely faster on most boats. One reason some of the SOB boats don't seem to perform better is partially setup but mostly the limitations of the boat itself.

The 24 Progression with a 300R is about 5-6 MPH faster for example.

The SOB boats have too narrow of a pad and aren't aerodynamic enough to exceed certain limitations. That's why the fast boats, ie Tuff 24, Allison 21, Liberator etc see such a dramatic speed improvement with the R over the XS; they're capable of going faster.

Not saying there's anything wrong with the old style SOB boats, they're just old designs with limitations.

[WavetoWave]

Excellent feedback from a guy who has over a decade running the same P22 hull

Yes, the 250R is incredible. That's an unbelievable jump over the old engine.

[OceanMarine]

I wish guys on LI weren't so damn secretive this list would be looking very different

Toostroked, Makes sense the through-hub little easier to drive, a wise man once told me that it almost creates a sort of longer gear case which aids in handling. Im sure prop specifics help as well. Seems these big four strokes like big diameter and more blades for props. Speed will be there no doubt. Im curious more about handling in offshore conditions. I can tell you my 21' superboat handled better with a 2.5l then a 3.0l mostly likely cause of the weight, also possibly due to less free revving character, non ratcheting case etc. Im sure the new motors will be even tougher to balance. Likely gonna need some more weight in the bows to get them to handle in racing conditions im sure.

[Greg G]

....
Updating List with 28SkaterCa. new V8 top speed .........

2021's Fastest SOB Rough Water Hulls Powered with stock Mercury 4.6-liter naturally aspirated V8’s (Dyno numbers unknown so far)

#1 Labsport VF2 21 – Confirmed 96.4MPH -- Owner 28SkaterCa. (300R)
#2 Progression 22 – Confirmed 88MPH -- Owner TooStroked (250R)
#3 Velocity USA 230SC – Confirmed 77.8MPH (300R)
#4 Nordic SR-21 – Claimed 83MPH (300R)


Fastest SOB Hulls 2019....All Boats Powered with a stock Mercury 300XS (306HP Dyno and 6400 RPM Limiter)

#1 Tuff 21 kevlar hull-890lbs– 20’8” Long, 7’7” Beam - 22 degree deadrise + 71/2" pad - Confirmed 105.9MPH Driver Blake Sewell Canada
#2 Bernico F2 21 standard hull-727lbs– 21’4” Long, 6’3” Beam - 24 degree deadrise + 14” pad - Confirmed 98.1MPH Driver Dave Van Steelant
#3 Progression 22 standard hull-948lbs– 22’1” Long, 7’8” Beam - 24 degree variable deadrise + 7" pad - Confirmed 94MPH Driver goneby
#4 Velocity V7 21 standard hull-682lbs– 21’4” Long, 7'1" Beam – 22 degree deadrise + 10 1/4" pad - Confirmed 92MPH Driver 28SkaterCa
#5 Sutphen 21 SS standard hull-1325lbs– 20’9” Long, 7’2” Beam - 20 degree variable deadrise + 3" pad – Claimed 88MPH Driver N/A (525 ran GPS 93.4)
#6 Nordic Crossfire 21/SR-21 standard hull-1475lbs– 21’ Long, 7’1” Beam - 18 degree deadrise + 9" pad - Confirmed 86MPH Driver wildone

And the fastest of the no longer produced hulls....with power noted;

#1 2002 Intimidator 21 -- Deadrise=22 Degrees + 6" pad. Confirmed 104.6MPH– Stock Merc 15” 300X(325HP) - Driver Trimmed Out15
#2 1985 Velocity 22 Stepp “Old Style Deck” -- Deadrise=22 Degrees + 12"pad. Confirmed 100.3MPH – Stock Merc 20"300X(325HP)- Driver B kNo023
#3 1986 Superboat 21 Classic -- Deadrise=22 Degrees + 6" pad. Claimed 97MPH - Stock Merc 20” 300X(325HP)- Driver hoser
#4 1976 Challenger 21 -- Hull 1350lbs Deadrise=21.5 Degrees. Confirmed 90MPH -Yamaha 250 HPDI Phase III (326HP) - Driver Jamescole
#5 1990 Activator 21 -- Hull 1475lbs Deadrise=22 Degrees + 5 1/2" pad. Confirmed 84MPH – Stock Yamaha 250 Ox66 (256HP) - Driver dnelson964
#6 2012 Velocity US 220 -- Hull-1895lbs – 21’6” Long, 7’11” Beam - Deadrise=22 Degrees + 12" pad. Confirmed 83.5MPH – Merc 300XS - Driver aaronmt7

[Pulse186]

Mentioned this in a previous post but it got buried.

Not that it matters much for this discussion however the Progression is 21'9" per their website


Progression 22 standard hull-948lbs– 22’1” Long, 7’8” Beam - 24 degree variable deadrise + 7" pad