March 2021 Speedboat Magazine

S PEEDBO AT M A G A ZINE

INSIDE: DCB 300R TO 450R SWAP OUT!

March MADNESS 3 Mind-Blowing Open-Bow Machines!

600!

Mercury Unveils Its New Verado

MIAMI OW! H S Here’s What You

Would Have Seen M A R CH 202 1

MARCH 2021

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TABLE OF CONTENTS MARCH

COLUMNS

8 RAY LEE 12 BOB TEAGUE 14 INDUSTRY NEWS

FEATURES 16 VIRTUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW

Covid-19 caused the biggest exhibition of marine boats and products in the country to be canceled this year...but the show must go on! So Speedboat simply moved the venue to the pages of this magazine. Here's what you would have seen at the show this year!

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S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

38 POWER HUNGRY

When Mercury Racing introduced the 450R outboard, for enthusiast Steve Ossakow, it was a no-brainer to upgrade his DCB from twin 300Rs to the beefier power package.

44 40' CARATS

Eliminator Boats has updated and extended its largest boat with a cool bustle and engine hatch design to create the 40' Speedster.

48 PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS

This month's testers include three open-bow wonders: Shockwave's 26' Cat, Hallett's 275V and Fountain's 43NX center console.

60 WINTER POKER RUN

Stu Jones of the Florida Powerboat Club leads his members to the popular Faro Blanco Resort on Marathon Key. speedboat.com

Cover Photo by Todd Taylor Table of Contents photo by Todd Taylor

Speedboat.com Published by DCO Enterprises, LLC Publishers Ray Lee

ray@speedboat.com

Chris Davidson

chris@speedboat.com Editor Brett Bayne

brett@speedboat.com Senior Tech Editors Bob Teague

bobteague@teaguecustommarine.com

Jim Wilkes

jim@speedboat.com

Tech Editors Greg Shoemaker Jim Wilkes Valerie Collins

National Sales Ray Lee Director ray@speedboat.com

Art Director Gail Hada-Insley

Helicopter Services Fred Young

fyoung@live.com Photographers

BRETT’S COVE 68 DAD'S OLD FLAME

Joe Westwood's 1975 Sanger Circle Runner has been in his family since 1987, and looks great since undergoing a restoration.

72 2021 HORSEPOWER

Continuing an annual tradition, the Southern California go-fast crowd celebrates the new year at Lake Elsinore.

76 SCSC SHOWDOWN

The Southern California Speedboat Club moves up river to La Paz County Park for its latest exciting competition.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Speedboat Magazine, 9216 Bally Court, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730.

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Editorial: Speedboat Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. All manuscripts, materials, photographs and artwork submitted are at mailer’s risk and must include self-addressed envelope with proper postage if requested to be returned. All letters sent to Speedboat will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes, and are subject to Speedboat's right to edit and comment editorially. All rights reserved. Reprinting in whole or part is expressly forbidden, except by written permission of the publisher.

Todd Taylor, Kenny Dunlop, Mark McLaughlin, Paul Kemiel, Jeff Gerardi, Daren Van Ryte

Operations Manager Michele Plummer and Subscriptions michele@speedboat.com

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SPEEDBOAT MAGAZINE (ISSN#1941-9473) is published 8 times plus a bonus issue this year by DCO Enterprises LLC.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Domestic $34.00 for 8 times plus a bonus issue, Canada $66.00 for 8 times plus a bonus issue, International $77.00 for 8 times plus a bonus issue. All prices are for one year and in U.S. funds. For subscription info: call (702) 313-1400.

PRINTED IN USA These rates represent Speedboat’s standard subscription rate and should not be confused with any special rates or premiums otherwise advertised or offered.

S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

7

OBSERVER’S SEAT RAY LEE In early February, select members of the media were invited by Mercury Marine out to their hallowed testing grounds of Lake X in central Florida to introduce their latest products for 2021. Speedboat Magazine was fortunate enough to be one of them.

For those that are unfamiliar with Lake X, it is the exclusive and secretive testing facility of Mercury Marine, which was designed and built by founder E. Carl Kiekhaefer in 1957. The entirety of the grounds sits on 12,000 acres of dense woods and swampland and has 1,440 acres of freshwater waterway on Lake Conlin, which spans close to three miles long, one mile wide and 5.8 miles around its perimeter.

Kiekhaefer’s idea was to create a secluded site for endurance and performance testing of their engines, safe from competitive spies and unwanted visitors. He chose the location on one particular exploratory mission when he spotted it from above in a single-engine airplane. Being nearby to Mercury’s Orlando headquarters and not a single neighbor within miles of the epicenter, it was deemed worthy of the coveted Kiekhaefer approval.

Construction quickly began, building boat launches, seawalls, work buildings and even a six-room “motel”—for anyone that needed an on-site dormitory or a quick nap from the seemingly endless endurance runs.

Despite the fact that the travel day was on Super Bowl Sunday, I quickly RSVPed and

Mercury’s Next Bold Step

[Continues on page 82] Top: Mercury Marine proudly displays its newest innovation, the first-ever V12, 7.6-liter, 600-hp Verado outboard engine.

Above: Quad 600 Verados power the 53' 500 SSC (Super Sport Crossover) from Formula Boats.

Left: Mercury’s New Product Tour Truck is a mobile mini-showroom full of engines and propellers.

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S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

speedboat.com

TEAGUE ON TECH BOB TEAGUE

454 Camshaft Upgrade Dear Bob: I am going to do a camshaft change I’ve been planning for a number of years with my 454 MerCruiser. The heads are iron GM which have been ported by a reputable builder to blend the valve work and clean up the pockets. The chamber CC with the combination results in a compression ratio of 9:1 and the flow is respectable. I just want to get a sanity check on my spring selection. I’m will be running an Ultradyne HR 276/286 hydraulic roller camshaft that has a duration measured at .050” lift of 222 degrees on the intake and 230 degrees on the exhaust with a gross lift of .600” on the intake and exhaust. I have a set of 8205-Plus ISKY springs which when installed at 1.900” closed will result in an on-the-seat pressure of 150 lbs., and provide 414 lbs. open, however this set up will be .180” from coil bind.

Should I shim to 1.850"/172 lbs. closed, and 1.250”/436 lbs. open? This would put me at .130” from coil bind. I understand the current thinking is springs should be set .060” to .120” from coil bind to avoid any potential coil surge. The maximum RPM for this engine will be 5100 to 5200 RPM. I am looking forward to your reply.

Thanks, Rich Chrzanowski Warrington, PA

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S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

Iron cam gear.

GM/Mercury Oil Pump Pick-up.

Inconel and super alloy valves for Tucker exhaust seats.

ISKY valve springs.

The pick-up needed for the Mercury pan is the one that is designed for that pan which comes welded to the oil pump on a variety of marine engines. In order to properly install the pick-up, you should mount the pump on the rear main cap with the pick-up tube pressed into the pump. Next, with a straight edge and a ruler or measuring tape, move the pick-up so that the screen cone is parallel to the engine block’s pan rails. Then, carefully remove the pump without disturbing the pick-up position and braze the pick-up to the cast iron pump housing.

Alternative pick-ups are available that are also supported by a bracket that is bolted to two of the pump cover bolts. You may have trouble finding one that is the correct length for your stock pan. The oil pump pick-up screen should be about 1/2" from the bottom of the pan. If it is too close, oil starvation could occur resulting in engine damage.

Your Melling 10778C pump cover is held in place by five 6x1.0 metric bolts. If you use a pick-up with a support bracket, you will also have to provide bolts that are longer to compensate for the thickness of the bracket.

As a side note, Melling makes a version of the pump you have that does not have the “anti-cavitation” feature. The part number is the same, but without the “C.” We have found that the idle oil pressure is generally lower with the 10778C, and sometimes takes the pump a little longer to prime. speedboat.com

INDUSTRY NEWS

ADRENALINE POWERBOATS Eyes Summer Release for 47' CC

A

drenaline Powerboats of Lincolnton, GA—builder of

carbon-fiber models 45' Speede, ZRX-47 and ZRX-54— has released renderings of its all-new center-console boat, the 47' Reaper. Company owner Mike Layton told Speedboat that he expects the first boat out of the mold to hit the water for testing in May, with a June delivery to the boat’s first recipient, customer Chuck Stark of South Carolina.

Stark is planning to drive the boat during the Lake Cumberland Thunder Run in Kentucky, June 18-20.

The 47' features a 12-foot beam and can accommodate up to

five outboard engines. Two of the first four ever built will feature quintuple Mercury Racing 450Rs. Layton said the boat would compete with other performance models in the same size range, as well as some of the more fishingoriented brands.

“Although the first several builds are not configured for fishing, but the boat could be outfitted for fishing,” Layton explains. “We built some modularity into the back end of the boat to make fishing amenities easy to install.”

Among the 45’s high points are its very classic hull lines and aggressive styling. “I think that’s really what sets it apart,” Layton says.

“The hull is very classic and familiar, but the design features are very edgy. It won’t be super heavy—it’s an all-infused epoxy boat with carbon reinforcement, so while we didn’t target it to be a light boat, we didn’t put any excess weight in it.” With a quintuple-engine setup, Layton said he’d like to see the boat reach speeds in the upper 80s.

The team at Adrenaline has high hopes for the 47 Reaper: “Our primary focus has been ramping up production of this new center console,” Layton says. “The thing that is notable about this project is that it’s taking us from a boutique builder into more of a production mindset.”

MERCURY’S Scott Reichow Retires Mercury Racing Propeller Manager Scott Reichow—for decades a respected source of design vision, innovation, and prop wisdom to racers and high-performance boat owners—retired Jan. 29, closing out a career with the company that began in 1977.

“Scott has been the guy boat builders, Mercury Racing dealers and our customers have turned to for advice and propeller product knowledge,” said Steve Miller, Mercury Racing director of marketing, sales and service. “At boat shows, poker runs, dealer meetings, fishing tournaments, and races, people were always looking for Scott, and he could speak with passion and intelligence about propeller performance with anyone, from offshore racers to walleye anglers.”

Reichow will pass the propeller torch to Nick Petersen.

Reichow was promoted to Mercury Hi-Performance sales and service rep in 1979 but left the company in 1981 to pursue a degree in marketing at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He returned in 1988 to work in the Mercury Marine warranty department, and

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S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

later moved to Mercury Exhibits, where he helped design displays for boat shows and dealer meetings. He left in 1995 to try his hand at some personal business ventures, but returned to Mercury in 2000 as a manager for Mercury, Quicksilver and Typhoon propellers, before moving to Mercury Racing in 2003. At Mercury Racing, Reichow spent five years under the tutelage of propeller guru Ron Steiner.

[Continues on page 43] speedboat.com

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2/11/19 10:51 AM

VirTUal Miami Boat Show

The nation’s most expansive exhibit fell victim to Covid-19 this year. So we’re bringing the show to you.

I

t’s March, and the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel is drawing closer with each passing day. New vaccines are being developed and casualties are dropping dramatically. Alas, producers of the Miami

International Boat Show pulled the plug on what would have been the 80th anniversary of the pivotal exhibit.

That didn’t quite jibe with our plans to bring you the best boats and accessories from the Sunshine State, so we invited high-performance exhibitors to reveal what they would have displayed in a Covid-free country. So, in the pages that follow, we present our “virtual” boat show—it’s the show you deserve, brimming with the best of what leading manufacturers have to offer.

Meanwhile, the 2022 exhibit is set for Feb. 16-20, when—after a six-year absence—it returns to the Miami Beach Convention Center, with additional displays at Sea Isle Marina and Watson Island.

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S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

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Mystic

Company President John Cosker told Speedboat that his Deland, FL, shop had a very positive experience exhibiting at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show last October. Here is Mystic’s current lineup.

C4000 This is Mystic’s fourth generation of cats, a 40' that’s extremely comfortable in rough waters.

M3800 The

baby sister to Mystic’s larger center console was a model their customers demanded—same great styling at a lower price point.

M4200 Speed, style and luxury: this roomy beauty, introduced in 2015, has it all. speedboat.com

S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

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VIRTUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW Owner Randy Scism and his team always have one of the most insane displays (see opposite page, top). This year would have been no different, with his combination of luxury center consoles and super-fast cats.

MTI

42V This extremely popular center console’s hull design utilizes twin keels, similar to a catamaran, yielding straight, stable, and predictable handling at all speeds. MTI is currently tooling its 50' big sister.

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390X Superb handling is one of this outboard cat’s trademarks, with an ability to turn hard and remain level. It’s now available in a popular eight-seat configuration (right). speedboat.com

S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

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VIRTUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW

Donzi

Iconic Marine Group of Washington, NC, typically showcases its Fountain (see Page 56) and Donzi lines, both of which generate a great deal of attention at the supersized booth.

38 ZRC This incredible model disap-

peared for more than a decade, but Donzi brought it back in 2020.

41 GT Donzi’s newest model is a sleek, ultra-comfortable and beautifully handling rocketship that includes a spacious cabin with lounge space for six passengers.

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VIRTUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW

Cigarette

Don Aronow launched the Cigarette Racing Team in 1970, and the Opalocka, FL-based builder is still going strong. Their display is mind-boggling.

41’ Nighthawk

With its 11-foot beam and pushed by quad Mercury Racing 450R outboards, this recent addition to the Cigarette lineup features an all-new, next-level hard top and a spacious cabin.

The 41' Nighthawk draws on the company’s advancedengineered twin-step hull design to match unprecedented performance with unyielding comfort.

Cigarette uses composite materials and proprietary construction techniques.

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S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

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VIRTUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW

Wright Performance

Performance Boat Center joined forces with Doug Wright Designs to create three speedy models: the WP 320, WP 360 and WP 420.

WP 360

The original debuted at the 2017 LOTO Shootout with 400Rs. The 450R version can reach speeds of 130+ mph.

WP 420

Measuring 41'1" and sporting an 11’1" beam, this second WP model ups the ante across the board. It was one of the first 450R-powered boats.

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VIRTUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW

Sunsation

The Algonac, MI-based builder continues to score with its three center-console models, typically on display at dealer Performance Boat Center’s booth.

32CCX

Spry and speedy, the 32' (above) provides an accessible entry for performance boaters looking to break into the center console lifestyle.

34CCX

Introduced in 2013, the original (right) offers more control, increased performance options, and expanded cabin space.

40CCX

This newest CCX features a redesigned interior with more room in the front of the boat, as well as the ability to convert the rear to add a second row of seating.

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VIRTUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW

Checkmate At last year’s Miami Show, Hustler President Joe LoGiudice announced the sale of its Checkmate line to a new owner, Pete Caldwell of Caldwell Marine Design.

2400 BRX

The bowrider version of Checkmate’s 2400 can be powered by a Mercury 250 Pro XS Optima, 300 XS, 300 Verado or Mercury Racing 400 Verado.

Speeds in the 80 mph range are possible.

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VIRTUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW Hannibal, MO-based Black Thunder would have displayed its 46' vee, renowned for its luxurious heritage and big-water performance. Numerous custom configurations are possible.

Black Thunder 46 Raised Deck

46' Raised Deck Offshore

This latest edition utilizes lighter-weight materials with larger, more efficient horsepower packages to leave gravity and drag behind. Two 43' models are currently being tooled.

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VIRTUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW

Victory The world-famous Dubai-based offshore racing team and cat builder’s new VTX 36 hulls are being shipped to the USA fully painted and rigged overseas and marketed by Florida dealer Ricky Maldonado: (941) 545-4392.

VTX 36

Combining effortless superiority and roaring offshore power, the 36' was designed to redefine the rules of luxury with trendsetting innovation.

It’s a luxury race boat that features world-class specifications.

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VIRTUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW

Hustler

Calverton, NY-based Hustler Powerboats introduced its newest model, the 29 Shotgun, at the 2020 Miami Boat Show, and were hoping to feature it at this year’s exhibit.

29 Shotgun

The 29' can be powered by twin Mercury Racing 300Rs, 400Rs or 450Rs. It actually measures 29'11" overall, and features an 8' beam.

The list of standard features and options available on this model is practically endless. speedboat.com

S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

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VIRTUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW

Mercury

A year and a half after unveiling the game-changing Mercury Racing 450R outboard, Mercury’s 600 Verado was introduced to the world early last month at its factory, as the Miami Boat Show had been canceled.

450R

The now-ubiquitous outboard (left) virtually transformed the landscape of muscleboating. Its impact will reverberate in the industry for many years.

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600 Verado

One of the biggest introductions that didn’t happen at this year’s Miami show was Mercury Marine’s 600-hp Verado, the world’s first V12 outboard engine. This new powerplant (in quad-engine setup) impressively propels the massive 50' Formula 500 SSC— seen above, and weighing 47,000 lbs.—to a jaw-dropping 69 mph at 6400 rpm, with a 0-20 mph acceleration in 7.87 seconds.

Described as Mercury’s most powerful and most capable outboard, the 600 Verado features naturally aspirated, large-displacement, quad-cam powerhead that generates impressive torque to get heavy boats out of the hole and on plane quickly, and to accelerate up to rated speed rapidly. It includes the industry’s first two-speed, ultra quiet and smooth-shifting automatic transmission for an outboard optimizes engine rpm according to workload, facilitating powerful acceleration and highly efficient performance at cruise. Service and maintenance are expected to be largely hassle-free, with 200 operating hours before routine service is required.

The 600-hp Verado outboard will be available this spring. speedboat.com

S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

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VIRTUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW

Skater One of the things we’ll miss most about the 2021 Miami Show is hanging with the legendary Peter Hledin and his crew from Douglas, MI.

388 Skater

A renowned national and world championship winning model, the 388 is the top predator in the cat class; it has also won numerous shootouts at speeds in excess of 190 mph. The current bestseller in Skater’s lineup of performance catamarans, this is the one to own when you want to keep it under 40 feet.

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VIRTUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW

Outerlimits

The team from Bristol, RI, specializes in bling—each year, it’s one ultimate mindblowing experience after another.

SL-52

Every Outerlimits is an example of dazzling craftsmanship.

The biggest model, the SL-52, handles beautifully and goes over rough water with ease. Powered by Mercury Racing 1350 engines, it can surpass 140 mph.

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VIRTUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW

Teague Custom Marine Teague Custom Marine famously has “everything but the water.” In addition to their vast array of accessories, they offer complete engine rebuild and upgrade programs to maximize your engine’s potential, as well as custom high-performance engines like the TCM 825 EFI, 1050 EFI, 1200 EFI and 1400 EFI.

250 TBS SuperChiller

TCM Sea Strainer with wing nut option 2-Piece Sea Strainer

TCM Custom Water Pick-Ups

Water Pickup TKO speedboat.com

S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

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VIRTUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW CP The national online marine dealer brings numerous accessories and engines parts, from fuel and electrical systems to trim tabs and fittings.

Performance / Hardin Marine

CP LS Cyclone Header System

CP Flex Bilge Hose

Hardin Marine Black Navigation Lights

Hardin Marine Seaward Series Dry Joint (above and right) 36

S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

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VIRTUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW

Livorsi Marine Grayslake, IL-based Livorsi Marine displays gauges, indicators, trim tabs, billet throttle controls, steering wheels and hundreds of other products—often with a realistic dash display (left).

DTS Controls

Livorsi Marine’s license from Mercury Marine allows them to combine Digital Throttle & Shift technology with the options and quality of Livorsi controls.

Stepped Trim Tabs

Step-bottom hulls have been around for decades. This design has been proven to increase speed, reduce drag and increase overall efficiency. That’s exactly what you get when you install Livorsi 1050/1150 trim tabs. Standard, non-stepped tab designs stick to the water, reducing speed, performance, and efficiency. Livorsi stepped tabs introduce air via a number of different grooves, channels and steps, reducing that stickiness and making the tab faster and more efficient. These tabs perform flawlessly in all sea conditions, and can make your boat more fuel efficient compared to a nonstepped tab. For performance based applications, the stepped design allows the tab to release from the water stream faster, reducing drag and providing an overall faster boat.

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S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

37

story by

Eric Colby

photography by

Todd Taylor and Daren Van Ryte

When Mercury Racing introduced the 450R outboard, for enthusiast Steve Ossakow, it was a no-brainer to upgrade from twin 300s to the new motor.

With the 300Rs (right), the M28R was still a capable performer that impressed our test team.

The upgrade from to twin Mercury Racing 450Rs (left) gave the boat the acceleration that Ossakow was looking for.

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S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

speedboat.com

S

teve Ossakow had put less

than 10 hours on his new DCB Performance Boats M28R catamaran. It was powered by twin Mercury Racing 300R outboards and was built with extra carbon fiber to keep it light to work with the motors.

“I always had my heart set on a bigger engine and when the 450s came out, DCB had a set that they hadn’t put on a boat yet and we just pulled the trigger,” said Ossakow. “I said I’d be running around in my boat pissed off that I didn’t get the 450s.”

Added DCB Performance Boats co-owner Tony Chiaramonte, “We built the boat and he was holding his breath for the 450R. He drove the boat one time and the 450R hit and he said, ‘What’s it going to cost to upgrade? The motors didn’t have 10 hours on them.”

Ossakow contacted his dealer Dave Hargrove at Northcoast Performance Marine in North Canton, Ohio, and set the wheels in motion. He caught a break when Hargrove found a buyer for the 300s and the rigging gear that went with them.

Fortunately, the team at Speedboat was in the right place at the right time to get to run the boat with the 300Rs and then with the 450Rs. The swap was straightforward and suffice to say that Ossakow was more than happy with the results. With 36" fiveblade Mercury Racing props, the boat runs 125 mph and the acceleration throughout the power curve sends chills up the orthopedic surgeon’s spine.

No Rookie: Ossakow is no newcomer.

His first DCB was an F32 with twin Mercury Racing HP 700SCis that he upgraded

[continues on page 65]

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S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

39

POWER HUNGRY Below: All DCB boats are built with resin infusion and vacuum bagging to ensure proper and even saturation of the resin throughout the laminate.

Bottom: The coring material is cut by hand to fit each boat perfectly.

Above: What’s impressive about the 450R (right) is that Mercury Racing’s designers engineered the supercharger to fit under the same size cowl as the 300R (left).

Yvonne Aleman drives the MTI 340X Mad Props.

Below: Ossakow paid a little extra for extra carbon fiber to keep his M28R light.

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The cockpit is laid out with space savings in mind and the triple multifunction displays give the dash an uncluttered look.

with Whipple supercharger kits. When he bought the F32, he completed Tres Martin’s Performance Boat School. Next, he bought an M35 with twin Mercury Racing 1350s.

The boat was crazy fast, but Ossakow said, “The expense of keeping the 1350 boats running was through the roof.” Then he built an M29 with twin Mercury Racing HP700 SCis and Whipple kits once again and it ran 150 mph, but after getting accustomed to Mercury’s fly-by-wire Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS) with the 1350s, Ossakow didn’t like running the cable shifting with the older-style drives. He decided to have DCB build his M28R with the twin 300Rs. speedboat.com

He had been following the 400Rs and the wave of boats that was introduced in their wake. “The 400s came out first and then there was a lot of talk about the bigger engines,” said Ossakow.

He’s not into the fastest top-speed number, but he loves the acceleration and overall boost in performance. “I went to the 450s because I like power,” he said. “If I wasn’t into power and acceleration, the 300s would be just fine.

Anticipatory Rigging: When DCB Performance Boats built Ossakow’s M28R, the company rigged it in anticipation of going with bigger motors including halfinch fuel lines. Aside from some extra car-

bon fiber to lighten the boat to make it more efficient with the 300Rs, it has DCB’s usual construction, which consists of vacuum infused resin and hand applied fiberglass mat, carbon fiber and Kevlar and balsa and foam coring. The transom is cored with multiple layers of Penske composite board.

“The structural part of the boat is always the same,” explained Chiaramonte. “Steve opted for the high-end composite. We usually do balsa with carbon and Kevlar, but this one is 500 pounds lighter and primarily carbon.”

As we’ve come to expect from DCB, the fit and finish on the 28R was flawless. The gelcoat was meticulously applied with sharp lines and crisp separation between the colors.

Speedboat team inspector Bob Teague called the gelcoat “stunning” and gave the M28R top marks. The cleats on the boat are pull-up style and there are pin receptacles for fenders. A hatch abaft the rear bucket seats opens electrically and inside the immaculately rigged equipment includes Odyssey batteries in the center with trim pumps on each side. The wiring is almost nonexistent and all the bolt heads are polished. One difference between the 300Rs and the 450Rs is that the former has the usual rigging connections under the cowling. With the 450Rs, the rigging connections are made remotely in the boat because of the extra space required under the cowling for the supercharger. Both engines use the same size cowling.

The M28R has five high-backed bucket seats finished in Alcantara with cool touch inserts in white and blue. There are Simrad multifunction displays ahead of each seat with a Garmin GPSMap chartplotter in the

[text continues on page 64]

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41

SPEE

40 20

POWER HUNGRY

0

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

DCB M28R with 300Rs DCB M28R with 450Rs

(6150 RPM = 108.0 mph)

(6400 RPM = 133.0 mph)

performance evaluations

90

120

30 40 40 60

70

SPEED (mph)

SPEED (mph)

100 80 60 40

60

to to to to

50 mph = 5.15 secs.

60 mph = 5.90 secs.

70 mph = 8.69 secs.

100 mph = 15.47 secs.

50 40 450Rs MIDRANGE ACCELERATION

30

30 40 40 60

20

20 0

300Rs MIDRANGE ACCELERATION

80

10 0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000 7000

DCB M28R with 300Rs DCB M28R with 450Rs

(6150 RPM = 108.0 mph)

(6400 RPM = 133.0 mph)

0

0

5

10

to to to to

50 mph = 6.28 secs.

60 mph = 5.95 secs.

70 mph = 9.34 secs.

100 mph = 26.43 secs.

15

20

TIME (seconds)

90 300Rs MIDRANGE ACCELERATION

80

30 40 40 60

SPEED (mph)

70 60

to to to to

50 mph = 5.15 secs.

60 mph = 5.90 secs.

70 mph = 8.69 secs.

100 mph = 15.47 secs.

50 40 450Rs MIDRANGE ACCELERATION

30

30 40 40 60

20 10 0

0

5

10

to to to to

50 mph = 6.28 secs.

60 mph = 5.95 secs.

70 mph = 9.34 secs.

100 mph = 26.43 secs.

15

20

TIME (seconds)

Top left: The M28R rides on a custom trailer and the paint job showed the attention to detail we’ve come to expect from DCB. Top right: The short-throw Mercury Racing DTS controls fit cleanly in the starboard gunwale with the accessory switches just ahead and the intercom controls aft.

Middle left: The wraparound windshield protects all the passengers from the onrushing breeze.

Middle right: Garmin VIRB cameras provide fore and aft views of all the action and add a safety element.

Right: With room for five, there isn’t a bad seat on this boat’s cockpit.

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speedboat.com

INDUSTRY NEWS [Continued from page 14] “I’d always been into performance, racing motorcycles and karts, but I’m not an engineer, so I had a lot to learn,” said Reichow. “Ron was a key contributor to my growth in that regard. He lived and breathed propellers, designing them and using them. I was a sponge, soaking up all that knowledge and experience.”

Over the years, Reichow developed an intuitive understanding of how propellers worked and, more importantly, how a propeller could influence boat performance.

“We have always counted on Scott’s experience,” said Myrick Coil, veteran racer and shop foreman at Performance Boat Center in Osage Beach, Mo. “I could just tell Scott how the boat felt on the water, and that was enough. He knew what it would take to make the boat run better and faster, and he’d take care of us. More than once I was waiting on the UPS truck in a hotel room in Key West, trusting that Scott would have a winning set of props in my hands for race day. He always came through.”

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S P E E D B O A T | Maarch 2021

43

40 story by

Brett Bayne

• photography by

Todd Taylor and Tom Leigh

s T A Car

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Eliminator Boats has updated and extended its largest Speedster with a cool bustle and engine hatch design. With Mercury Racing’s 1100/1350 engines, it’s a true speed demon.

speedboat.com

Tubby McDonald’s 40' Speedster features twin Mercury Racing 1100/1350 dual-calibration engines.

F

ew Southern California muscleboat builders tool, develop, experiment or test more aggressively than Eliminator Boats of Mira Loma, CA. This shop led the

way on so many fronts—styling, performance and customer satisfaction, to name a few.

Eliminator pioneered custom interior, gelcoat, hardware and setup, and they remain as much as an innovator today as ever.

“The team’s current line of Speedster models begins with the 255, and continues with 27’, 28’, 31’, 33’ and 40’ models. The modern-day version of Eliminator’s legendary Daytona series, the Speedster combines speed, style, elegance and performance, while offering composite hull construction, low-profile seating, a full wraparound windscreen, and sleek, sexy lines guaranteed to turn heads.

The most recent addition to the line began life as a 36' Speedster. The team at Eliminator decided to retool the back of the boat, creating a new extended bustle design that extends the sleek lines and adds wide steps down the middle of the transom to the water line. The boat, which now measures 39'10", has

[continues on page 66]

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45

40 CARATS Below: The Eliminator emblem appears on the seats, which feature luxurious Ultrasuede fabric.

Yvonne Aleman drives the MTI 340X Mad Props.

The 40' Speedster features ample storage throughout the boat, including under the deck (right). Among the other amenities: Dana trim-tab system, underwater lights, Garmin screens, Livorsi gauges, Kicker audio system, SeaDek flooring and an extended swim platform.

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speedboat.com

photography by

Todd Taylor and Tom Leigh

26' Cat

Shockwave O

ur test team’s first encounter with Shockwave’s 26 Cat came six years ago, when we called it one of the biggest

hits of our 2015 Performance Evaluations. It was not the biggest, fastest or best-accelerating boat, but a family openbow model that thoroughly impressed us with its docile ride, smart interior, plentiful storage space and flawless handling. Powered

by Mercury’s 8.2 Mag HO with a Bravo One X drive (its standard setup), the boat ran 65 mph at WOT. We got another opportunity to tame this feline two years ago; this time, the boat had been equipped with a Mercury Racing 600SCi with XR drive, which resulted in a top end of 86 mph. Same great rocketship with a beefier engine.

Fast-forward to 2021. This year, Shock-

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wave has ditched the I/O in favor of a pair of Mercury Racing 400Rs, with their sights set on triple-digit top speed. That was handily achieved—but would that be enough to satisfy our test driver, offshore racer Myrick Coil?

First, we checked in with first-time Shockwave customer Tom Robinson, whose purchased his 26' after owning a variety of go-fast rigs, including a 28' Conquest Top Cat with a blown 540 big-block Chevy engine.

“It hauled ass, but it was really finicky,” he says. “I was looking to buy a new boat with outboards, because they’re much more reliable.” The Shockwave crossed his radar when he spotted it at the Los Angeles Boat Show.

He says he digs the speed, the smoothness of the ride and the hassle-free performance of the 400Rs. “Shockwave was great to work with,” he adds. “When my boat was ready,

Bob asked if he could keep it for an extra week and try some different things to dial it in a bit further and get the best setup for me, rather than pushing my boat out the door. And I was happy to let them do that.”

The Package: This boat was built to accommodate a stern-drive, so like a lot of Southern California muscleboats with outboard power, the engine compartment is now the ideal place to store your fenders.

However, the 26' was not conceived as a harddecker that was later modified to be a walkthrough open bow—that is precisely what it was designed to be.

This year’s 26' Cat sports the graphics package nearly identical to our 2019 tester, featuring lots of sharp angles, only with totally different colors—the dark grey, black and red has been switched to a military grey and royal speedboat.com

Length: 26' Beam: 102"

Engines on test boat: (2) Mercury Racing 400R outboards

Options on test boat: Engine upgrade, full Gator step, tie down, pearl in gelcoat, “white out” package, all steel bimini with mesh, full carbon interior, interliner, billet battery, trim tab, display with two Livorsi gauges, etc.

Top speed: 102 mph @ 6,450 rpm

Base price with standard power: $103,900 Price as tested: $203,595

SHOCKWAVE CUSTOM BOATS 1800 Capital Street Corona, CA 92880 (951) 898-9361 shockwaveboats.com

This enduring walk-through catamaran is an ideal air-entrapment model for families who appreciate some snap.

performance evaluations

SHOCKWAVE 26 CAT 120

SPEED (mph)

100 80 60 40 20 0

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6,450 RPM = 102 MPH 90 80 70

SPEED (mph)

e

SHOCKWAVE 26’ Cat

60 50 40 30 20 10 0

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SHOCKWAVE

MIDRANGE ACCELERATION: 30-50 MPH = 4.81 secs.

40-60 MPH = 5.21 secs.

40-70 MPH = 8.04 secs.

Planing speed: 15 mph

At the helm, the driver has two large Livorsi Vantage View hybrid analog/digital tachometers, along with a Mercury Vessel View screen and an array of switches; the co-pilot has a good-sized glove box plus access to the Kenwood stereo system. There’s loads of storage space on board. Overall, the layout is simple and serviceable.

“I really liked the boat. It’s fun and it’s fast. It’s got some snap. Feed it some trim, and it really sits on the back end and feels nice.”

—Myrick Coil 50

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blue with metalflake; only a touch of white remains. The 400R outboards (1.75 gear ratio/7,000 rpm rev limiter) are the 25" versions with the Sportmaster gearcases and MAX5 32"-pitch propellers.

The interior layout consists of a bow section with ample room; the two loungers sport the now-standard forward-facing seat backs for those who want to stretch out their feet. Midship, there are two open areas at the bulkhead with foamed pads on the floor, where kids could get out of the sun and maybe take a nap—or you can throw fenders and life jackets in there as well (there’s some protective netting in lieu of a door). Behind them are the two bucket seats, placed atop raised billet stands, for pilot and copilot, and finally a standard rear bench that would be very comfortable for four adults. The seating features vinyl with carbon accents and attractive blue stitching. On the sides of the boat, pilots and passengers all have access to recessed areas with cupholders and JL Audio speakers; there are also some additional airplane-style storage areas built into the backs of both the bucket seats for incidental items.

At the helm, the driver has two large Livorsi Vantage View hybrid analog/digital tachometers, along with a Mercury Vessel View screen and an array of switches; the co-pilot has a good-sized glove box plus access to the Kenwood stereo system. Both driver and passenger have an angled area on the floor to rest their feet, and both have flip-up wind deflectors.

Overall, the layout is simple and serviceable. There’s ample storage throughout the boat, including a floor locker, space underneath the benches, and the aforementioned engine/ fender compartment. All of the seats are very comfortable, as is the SeaDek flooring installed throughout the 26' Cat. Another cool feature is the bimini top that hides back under the rear hatch.

Performance: “It’s fun and it’s fast,” is how Coil summed up his time behind the wheel of the 26'. It performed as well as you could expect on the very windy day of our test, staying at low speed plane without any problem; we did find it helpful to use a bit of tab. The boat turns fairly flat, but doesn’t lean out, which pleased Coil. Getting on plane was a breeze. And speaking of the breeze, those flip-up deflectors don’t do an awful lot to keep you from getting blasted by the wind while at WOT. We did reach a top speed of 102. “I really liked the boat,” Coil says.

“It was cool. It’s got some snap, and once you feed it some trim, it really sits on the back end and feels nice.”

The boat got a big thumbs-up from Bob Teague. “This boat is a lot of fun,” he says. “What a great opportunity for Shockwave to have another use for this particular tooling—it’s a perfect match of outboard power and family sport boat. It’s totally predictable…almost anybody could drive it. The 26' is a bonafide 100-mph family boat, but what’s really good about it is that it doesn’t feel lightweight. Shockwave never disappoints me. They always come with something that’s reasonably priced, nicely done, and actually works.”

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HALLETT S hortly after Nordic Boats of Lake Havasu purchased Hallett Boats and began building them in their own

factory, general manager Thane Tiemer and his crew began tooling a new boat: the 275, an open-bow walk-through model. The first ones started emerging from the mold in 2019, and Tiemer says sales of the 275 are actually rivaling those of Hallett’s popular deckboat. “We’re building about one a month,” he says. “It’s [company owner] Randy Davis’s favorite model—we’re building him a new one every year,” he says.

The owner of our 275 tester, Roy Revivo, previously drove a 22' Nordic Sprint, and had spent several years shopping

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S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

around for something bigger. “I wanted a vee hull that was a full walkthrough,” he says. “Some of them had a step-down on the floor, and I didn’t like that feature because I knew my kids would be constantly walking back and forth on the boat and I didn’t want them to trip.”

He says he looked closely at Nordic’s 25, but it didn’t feel appreciably bigger than the 22. “That’s when I got introduced to the Hallett. It had all the features that I wanted.”

As for the engine, Tiemer says about half the 275s get a Mercury Racing 520 stern drive, while the rest get a 565 package. Revivo actually considered a single 600 SCi, but “my research showed that the 600 was significantly louder, required

275V

more maintenance and was more expensive. Ultimately, I opted for the 565.”

The Package: The bottom of the Hallett 275 is the same as Nordic’s 28 Heat.

The boat sat atop a finely crafted silver trailer by Adrenaline (Lake Havasu City, AZ). The Hallett sported a white hull with blue and gray graphics and some cool green accents. Adding to the boat’s sexy appearance is a smart-looking black windshield. A large stainless handrail encompasses the entire bow section. “The overall appearance of this boat is awesome, especially on the trailer,” said inspector/test driver Myrick Coil, who admired the boat’s LEDs, stainless-steel hardware, stainless rubrail and the extended swim platform at the transom that features a small aluspeedboat.com

HALLETT 275V Length: 28'3" Beam: 101"

Engine on test boat: Mercury Racing 565 stern-drive / XR drive

Options on test boat: Extended swim step, stereo upgrade, SeaDek flooring, trailer upgrade, Livorsi speedometer and tachometer.

Top speed: 78.0 mph @ 5,400 rpm

Base price with standard power: $171,900 Price as tested: $188,000

HALLETT BOATS 770 N. Lake Havasu Ave. Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403 (928) 855-7420 hallettboats.com

Tooled shortly after Nordic purchased Hallett, this family open-bow is sleek, easy to drive and extremely comfortable.

performance evaluations

HALLETT 275V 120

SPEED (mph)

100 80 60 40 20 0

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5,400 RPM = 78 MPH 90 80

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HALLETT

MIDRANGE ACCELERATION: 30-50 MPH = 5.30 secs.

40-60 MPH = 6.62 secs.

40-70 MPH = 14.19 secs.

Planing time: 5.11 secs.

On the simply laid-out dash, the driver has access to a Mercury Smartcraft screen (along with Livorsi analog speedo and tach) and an array of switches to control all of the necessary accessories. Driver and co-pilot also have gigantic speakers at their knees—the killer sound system is definitely not for the squeamish.

“For what they’re trying to do, they have a winner here. And it’s got a pretty decent retail price, to boot.”

—Bob Teague 54

S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

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minum ski pole. Above the platform are four backwardsfacing speakers aiming at whoever might be swimming or skiing off the back. Additionally, Coil noticed a small bezel with a backwards-facing rear camera to keep your eye on tubers or skiers.

Moving inside the boat, we admired the 275’s beautiful interior, which sports Cool Touch marine vinyl, designed to be 25% cooler than traditional vinyl. Along with the Mercury Racing 565 I/O, the engine compartment contained four Odyssey batteries and two battery chargers.

The roomy cockpit features two gorgeous custom bucket seats for driver and copilot; behind them is a rear bench with room for four good-sized adults. The SeaDek flooring features a diamond design that is carried through to the upholstery’s stitching—a very attractive design. In the open bow are the usual bench seats with forward-facing backrests. There’s plenty of storage built throughout the boat, including a locker in the floor of the open bow, in the nose of the hull, and in the midcabin bulkheads. The passengers in the front and back have access to recessed compartments with cupholders, speakers and additional storage. It’s a roomy and comfortable boat, ideal for families or couples who like to boat with their friends.

On the simply laid-out dash, the driver has access to a Mercury Smartcraft screen (along with Livorsi analog speedo and tachometer) and an array of switches to control all of the necessary accessories. Both the driver and co-pilot also have gigantic speakers at their knees—the killer sound system on this boat is definitely not for the squeamish.

Performance: Test driver Bob Teague gave a big thumbs-up to the way the Hallett took on the Havasu water, praising its predictable ride and handling. The water was pretty rough during our test, which might unsettle a lot of vee bottom boats, but it didn’t unsettle the 275.

The 565 was spinning a 26" Bravo propeller, which Teague said he might swap out for a Mercury Racing MAX5 prop: “That’d be awesome,” he says. “I know that prop works really well with this particular bottom—it might make the Hallett a bit more efficient in the midrange.”

(Make a note of that, Roy.) Putting the boat through a series of slaloms and turns, Teague observed that it worked beautifully in all of the speed ranges. It also showed no deceleration reaction, another positive touch, and scored very well on tracking and sensitivity to trim. “This boat is easy to drive,” he noted. “It’s a nice, solid boat.” The windshield that Coil admired didn’t do much to deflect any actual wind: “It’s really there for looks,” Teague says.

On our day of testing, we got the boat to 78 mph at 5,400 rpm, but you’d undoubtedly see 80+ without the full load of fuel that we had. “For what they’re trying to do, they have a winner here,” says Teague. “And it’s got a pretty decent retail price, to boot.” speedboat.com

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FOUNTAIN

I

conic Marine Group’s Fountain and Donzi lines made a showstopping combo at ICM’s 2020 Miami Boat Show exhibit, just as

they are sure to be in 2022. Among the Fountains proudly on display were the company’s twin-outboard 34 Thunder Cat, along with an array of luxury center console models that included the builder’s two NX models: the triple-powered 39NX and quad-powered 43NX. The 43NX—currently Fountain’s biggest model—was built to offer top-of-theline luxury, performance and style. The boat may be powered with Mercury 400

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S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

Verados, Mercury Racing 400Rs or Mercury Racing 450Rs in quad configuration.

The 43NX is constructed using vacuum resin infusion lamination, a process favored by leading-edge builders; it’s considered among the finest modern fiberglass boatbuilding techniques. Fountain offers this model in a variety of configurations geared toward fishing and luxury, with various seating and interior arrangements, as well as graphics packages, to broaden its appeal to different customer bases. “You can make it really sporty, or you can do more of a fish version,” says Fountain CEO Jeff Harris. “We offer it in

43NX

a lot of variations, and it has absolutely incredible handling abilities in rough seas.

It’s amazing.”

On Speedboat’s most recent trip to the Lake of the Ozarks, we got a chance to drive a 450R version with a very attractive and sleek silver-and-black graphics package. It’s an extremely roomy boat, with forward and rear facing benches in the back of the boat, then a single row of helm seats at the center, and a large bow section with a double-wide chaise lounge console seat with articulating arm rests and drink holders. The bow also has a horseshoe-shaped seating encompassing the bow. There’s speedboat.com

The legendary East Coast builder’s largest center console exemplifies comfort, luxury and style.

FOUNTAIN 43NX Length: 43' Beam: 12'3"

Engines on test boat: (4) Mercury Racing 450R outboards Options on test boat: Bow thruster, engine flushing system, SeaKeeper3 Gyrostabilizer, electric SureShade on T-top, Garmin autopilot controller, etc. .

Top speed: 82 mph

Price as tested: $994,000 FOUNTAIN POWERBOATS BIG THUNDER MARINE (DEALER) 3401 Bagnell Dam Blvd Lake Ozark, MO 65049 (573) 345-2817 bigthundermarine.com

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FOUNTAIN

The Fountain 43NX is an extremely roomy boat, with forward and rear facing benches in the back of the boat, then a single row of helm seats at the center, and a large bow section with a double-wide chaise lounge console seat with articulating arm rests and drink holders.

“It’s a very versatile boat that allows you to cruise around comfortably with a large group, or if it’s just me and my wife, we can go out and have a lot of fun on it.”

—Bill Krueger 58

S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

speedboat.com

also a well-designed cabin down below with a queen-sized mattress, galley with microwave and sink (with cold and hot fresh water), and a small head with a toilet and shower that features a dedicated entrance. It’s wide and spacious, and exceptionally comfortable.

Standard equipment on the 43NX includes a Garmin electronics package, VHF radio, Mercury Vessel View, JL Audio sound system with numerous amps and speakers, underwater lightning, air conditioning, etc.

Equipped with a standard set of Mercury Marine 400Ms, you can expect to max out somewhere in the low 70s at WOT; upgrading to the Mercury Racing 400Rs will bring you up to the mid 70s, and our 450R package brought our team to game-changing 82 mph with a light load. It’s a very smooth, secure and impressive ride.

First-time Fountain owner Bill Krueger and wife Becky of Kansas City purchased his 43NX after owning a variety of cruisers from the likes of Formula and Sea Ray; he also owns a gorgeous 60’ Cantius by Cruisers Yachts (Oconto, WI). He has a lake house at LOTO, and was interested in acquiring a boat that would accommodate a large group of his friends, and still feel comfortable when the water got choppy.

“It can get pretty rough on some weekends,” he says. “In my opinion, it’s a very versatile boat that allows you to cruise around comfortably with a large group, or if it’s just me and my wife, we can go out and have a lot of fun on it.”

One of Krueger’s favorite things about his 43NX is the addition of a stern-facing couch-type seat behind the driver, which is often occupied by a combination grill and refrigerator setup. “We took all that stuff out to so that we could fit up to eight people in the back,” Krueger says. “They can sit behind the captain and have a conversation, so it’s more of a sitting area.”

He also gives top marks to the Fountain’s handling characteristics.

“Everything about the boat runs very well. The turning is outstanding. It truly is one of the easiest 43-foot boats that I’ve ever driven, especially for as fast as the boat goes. And it was an easy boat to learn how to drive.”

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59

story by

Stu Jones

Gregg Simon in his C3800 Mystic, powered by twin Mercury Racing 450R outboards.

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photography by

Jerry Wyszatycki & Pete Boden

Stu Jones leads the Florida Powerboat Club sets course for Marathon, FL.

speedboat.com

POKER RUN

T

he Winter Poker Run to Marathon Key got the Florida Powerboat Club off to a roaring start for 2021,

Darryl Cuttell of New Smyrna Beach with his black-andgreen Mystic M4200 called Darana Hybrid.

Center: Alex Tembelis and friends in his 43' Black Thunder, McMonster.

Above: David Wilks of South Carolina drives his Donzi 38’ ZSF center console, powered by triple Mercury Racing 400R outboards

speedboat.com

with 27 registered teams from around all over the united states. Warm temperatures made for a great escape from the Winter chill as the high-performance crew departed Haulover Marine Center in North Miami.

Light winds and calm seas made the exit through Haulover Inlet easy business, as all of the social-media influencers lined up on the seawall with their cameras on tripods, trying to get that magic money shot for their YouTube channels!

After a second poker card at Grove Harbour Marina, the fleet turned south on Biscayne Bay and made it to Gilbert’s for a casual lunch and a warm rustic vibe. The next 60 miles gave everyone a scenic tour through the Upper Keys, passing through mangrove waterways and colorful bay waters. The high-performance class boats included about a dozen catamarans, nearly all of them of them powered by either Mercury Racing 400Rs or 450Rs—the popular outboard models that have taken the sport of poker runs by storm over the last half a decade. Of course, the center consoles have continued their own surge, logging in a total of 10 outboard center consoles on the 27-boat fleet, leaving only a few stern-drive boats on the roster. The cat class included a classic 1996 32' Skater piloted by Brant Daniels, a 36' Motion cat belonging to John Strama and the very poplular 40' Skater belonging to Michael Tandoi.

In the Performance V-bottom class, a pair of Cigarettes, one Donzi, one Black Thunder and the colorful “Bubbles” edition 43 Scarab S P E E D B O A T | March 2021

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FPC POKER RUN piloted by Scott Porta rounded out the very eclectic fleet. After arriving at the landmark Faro Blanco Resort & Marina in Marathon, crews migrated to the pool patio to play out their poker cards, and enjoyed a cocktail happy hour sponsored by Nor-Tech Performance Boats. This was followed by the hospitality of the Lighthouse Grill Restaurant, where most teams enjoyed dinner. As always, a handful of weekend warriors used their magellan instincts to navigate to local watering holes in Marathon for some spirited camaraderie. Transportation, of course, was provided by Uber.

Late Saturday morning, it was time for some high-speed fun, as the FPC photo and video crew boarded a local R44 helicopter and took chase on a staged photo shoot in the bay waters near Faro Blanco. After many of the teams received their five minutes of fame with the chopper in hot pursuit, it was time to split up the pack and pursue a variety of lunch agendas, some local and some in Key West, was just 50 miles to the south.

The superb weather, warm temperatures, light winds and the fellowship amongst FPC members made a winning combination for all who attended, and the Winter Poker Run set the stage for a great 2021 ahead for the Florida Powerboat Club!

Bill and Tammy Day of Kentucky in their Fountain 39 NX center console, powered by triple Mercury Racing 450R outboards.

Andrew Rocco of New Hampshire in his 34' Victory, Time Conscious, powered by twin Mercury Racing 450Rs.

Below: Craig and Paula Ackerman of Georgia in See Ya, their MTI 340X, powered by twin Mercury Racing 400Rs.

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FPC POKER RUN Below and right: This 32' Skater, owned by Brant Daniels of Kansas, is powered by twin Mercury Racing 900SC engines.

Below right: Dwayne Reith of New York drives his MTI 340X, powered by twin Mercury Racing 400Rs. Bottom: A view of the marina at the luxurious Faro Blanco Resort.

Yvonne Aleman drives the MTI 340X Mad Props.

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POWER HUNGRY

[continued from page 42]

center. The IMCO tilt helm is topped by an Isotta steering wheel. The Mercury DTS controls are the short-throw levels and are outboard to starboard along with the PCI four link Pro-Elite controls for the on board headsets. For storing small items there are small billet glove boxes and the boat is equipped with Garmin VIRB cameras forward and aft.

The Swap: The supercharger does add some weight to the 450R. The 20" shaft with a Sportmaster lower unit weighs in at 700 pounds while the 300 with an HD midsection tips the scales at 546 pounds, according to Mercury Racing’s director of marketing sales and service Steve Miller. That translates to a power-to-weight ratio of 1.55 pounds per horsepower for the 450R and 1.82 pounds per horsepower for the 300R. The 450R runs on 89 octane while the 300R can get away with 87. The V6 Verado400R needs 91 but can run on 89.

Additionally, to complete the swap required different jack plates or transom brackets for the 450R. It has a race version of Mercury Racing’s Advanced Mid-Section and has an extra 5” of setback.

The other difference, of course, is the price. For a 20" shaft length 450R, retail pricing starts at $60,000, while the 300R starts at $35,000.

Apparently, there are plenty of people willing to pay the difference. “There are no 450s sitting in inventory,” said Miller.

“Everything we build is getting shipped out as soon as it hits the warehouse.”

Mercury Racing has a dedicated assembly line for the 450R at the company plant in Fond du Lac, Wis., with 20 fabricators hand-building each motor. Miller said that customers upgrading from 300Rs to the 450Rs represents between 10 and 15 percent the sales of the larger motors. He declined to provide a total number for units sold or produced.

Impressive Results: With the twin 300Rs, we ran the M28R as part of our annual performance trials on Arizona’s Lake Havasu.

The boat has two steps in each sponson and a center pod that Chiaramonte said is better for all-around use than a full tunnel. We saw a top speed of 113 mph.

With the 450Rs, Ossakow wanted a setup that would be good for all-around use with a boat full of people. His boat runs 125 mph with a set of 15"x36" Mercury Racing fivespeedboat.com

blade cleaver props.

“The upgrade to the 450Rs exceeded our expectations,” said Chiaramonte. “The big thing you feel is 100 foot-pounds more of torque.”

The fuel economy is just as impressive.

“I can run 90 to 110 and get almost 2 mpg, it’s effortless,” said Ossakow.

Additionally, the 450R comes with a three-year warranty that can be extended to five. People are putting hundreds of

hours on the new motors without worrying about having to do things like adjust the valves like they would on a stern drive.

Chiaramonte tells his customers to service the 450Rs every 25 hours.

Needless to say, Ossakow is happy. “I’m really glad I did the swap to the 450s, not just for the power, but for the aesthetic,” he said. “That thing is just big and nasty. Just knowing that you have the power is what turns me on.”

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40 CARATS [continued from page 45] been rechristened the 40' Speedster.

“The 36 was a popular boat for us for a long time,” says Eliminator President Jake Fraleigh. “The bottom was perfect for offshore racing, and Bob and Brent Leach campaigned many races in that hull.” Over time, the boat became dated, so the team at Eliminator have been working overtime to bring it up to speed with modern styling.

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“We were able to bring it back from the dead just by adding that bustle,” Fraleigh says. “The boat is much more user-friendly now—you can go into a dock by backing into it, and you can literally step from the bustle because it goes past the drive. It’s very comfortable to get on and off the boat.”

As for the boat’s ride with the Mercury Racing dual-calibration 1350/1100 engines

with M8 drives, “It runs like it’s on rails,” he says. “And it can haul ass.” Speeds approaching 180 are possible in optimum conditions.

One of the first customers to take delivery of the 40' is construction company owner Tubby McDonald of Oklahoma, who previously owned two 28' Speedsters with Mercury Racing 400R outboards and 1050 SCis. McDonald boats on Lake Eufaula, where there’s a growing contingent of Eliminator enthusiasts. McDonald says he’s taken the boat to 174 mph, but “it still has a little more in it,” he says. “The ride is great—it comes out of the hole real good.” His boat was on display at the Los Angeles Boat Show, and has since traveled to the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout and Lake Havasu’s Desert Storm.

The boat sports breathtakingly beautiful gelcoat work; it’s about 90 percent orange with some silver and black. One of the truly unique features of the Speedster are the separate engine hatches, which extend over the side of the boat, almost to the rubrail. “It used to be a single hatch, but we broke it up into three pieces, making the bridge between them permanent,” Fraleigh explains. “It makes the boat a lot stronger and more rigid. That bridge design, along with the new bustle, involved a great deal of labor, but now the boat is bigger, better, and really functional.”

Other cool features include: • A single MT4800 Dana trim tab system.

• Teague Custom Marine aerator tubes, engine flush system and adjustable pickup.

• IMCO tiebar.

• LED underwater lights.

• Stainless steel popup cleats, along with an abundance of cool hardware.

• A shower system to wash your feet with.

• Isotta Carlotta steering wheel.

• Garmin screens, Livorsi LED indicators for the drives and tab, and a Livorsi speedo.

• Kicker audio system.

• Black and grey SeaDek flooring.

• Comfortable and luxurious seating with Ultrasuede fabric.

• Extended bustle/swim platform.

• The boat sits atop an Adrenaline trailer.

Fraleigh extends special thanks to Jose Torres and Craig McClean for their work in the boat’s redesign, as well as Kenny Smith for doing a lot of rigging and testing on the Speedster. speedboat.com

Brett’s

COVE

DAD’S OLD FLAME

1975 SANGER CIRCLE RUNNER

Featuring SCSC Showdown

ELSINORE Regatta speedboat.com

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photography by

J

Ray Lee

oe Westwood’s 1975 18'9" Sanger Circle Runner was purchased by his dad back in 1987, and it’s been in the family

ever since. When Westwood was 15, his family had to move from Dixon, CA, to his grandparents’ place up in Alaska, and had to leave the boat behind.

“The boat sat in a barn at friend’s house out in the country,” he says. “But for some reason, one of the kids that lived out there decided they wanted to screw around with the boat, and ended up filling it with water. It just destroyed the inside of the boat.”

Over a 10-year period comprising 2001 to 2011, Westwood then launched

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Here’s a 1975 Sanger that looks simply gorgeous after a restoration that spanned a decade. speedboat.com

Dad’s Old

Flame

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DAD’S OLD FLAME

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a full restoration of the boat at Mike’s Marine in Dixon, CA. “I didn’t work on it nonstop during that time,” he explains.

“But whenever I had the cash, I’d throw money into it, and things would get done here and there.” Everything in the Sanger is either refurbished or brand new.

The Sanger, called Dad’s Old Flame, is now powered by a 427 big block (bored .125 over) with AFR aluminum heads, roller cam, Dart tunnel ram with twin 1150 Dominator carbs and Casale V-drive with a Whirlaway. The engine spins a Radice 2 blade steel prop. Although the engine hasn’t been on a dyno, Westwood estimates total horsepower to be in the 750 range. Westwood relocated from Northern California to Southern California six years ago, and now uses the boat on the Colorado River near Parker, AZ. He says it’ll run around 100 mph.

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Photography by

Daren Van Ryte

2021 Horsepower For the 11th year running, Wade Addington of Lake Elsinore’s Weekend Paradise opens his venue to some wild rides to celebrate the dawning of a new year.

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Left: Jimmy Shy in WetSpot, a 1977 Pro Stock blown gas flat 5/8 runner bottom, powered by a full roller 496.

A

s speedboaters bid a bitter farewell to 2020—and looked forward to some sense of normalcy in 2021—Wade Addington

once again opened the doors of his Weekend Paradise RV Park, located at Southern California’s Lake Elsinore, to those celebrating big horsepower.

It was the 11th straight year for the informal get-together, which attracts enthusiasts, racers and spectators. It’s a fun day with an expansive beach area and hot dogs grilling on the barbecues.

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Happily, Mother Nature cooperated by sending reasonably good weather and water conditions for those who came out to cheer on the new year’s celebration.

As usual, the participation was formidable. Jimmy Shy took center stage with his amazing WetSpot, a 1977 ProStock blown gas flat 5/8 runner bottom. She has a full roller 496 in her and makes 950 horsepower. Built by GCR racing out of San Diego, CA. She’s tuned by Reese motorsports. River racer prop built by Bill Diez. She’s not the fastest boat on the river but she’s a great family river boat.

Also on hand: • Dana Bottomley in his 1979 Revenge.

• Sammy Fey in his 1976 18' Hondo GT Sprint with a 496 BBC built by Lew Larson and rigged by Don Mumma of Fantasy Rigging.

• Ryan Drumm in his 1979 22' Schiada daycruiser, which underwent a full restoration in 2006; it’s powered by a 540 c.i.

Chevy with Brummett turbos.

• Jeremy Hanger in his 1977 Biesemeyer.

• Cary Runnells in his 1977 Eliminator, Big Rhonda.

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2021 HORSEPOWER

Left: This 1979 Revenge, a bigblock Chevy Injected K boat, put on a good show, with owner Dana Bottomley shoeing.

Craig Haller in his 1977 Cole TR-2, powered by an injected 454 Donovan motor.

Sammy Fey drives his 1976 18' Hondo GT Sprint with a 496 BBC built by Lew Larson and rigged by Don Mumma of Fantasy Rigging.

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Above left: Ryan Drumm in his 1979 22' Schiada daycruiser. The boat, which underwent a full restoration in 2006, is powered by a 540 c.i. Chevy with Brummett turbos.

Below left: Cary Runnells drives his 1977 Eliminator, named Big Rhonda.

Ralph Wright drives his 1973 Byers.

Jeremy Hanger in his 1977 Biesemeyer.

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story and photography by

Mark McLaughlin

SCSC Ousted by Covid-19 from its traditional home in Parker, AZ, the Southern California Speedboat Club moves up river for a battle royale.

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W

ith the country still in the grip of Covid-19, the Southern California Speedboat Club lost its usual venue of the Bluewater

Resort and Casino for its annual Thanksgiving Regatta. The facility was still off limits to spectators, boating events, hotel residents and all other fun stuff, so the proceedings were moved up river to La Paz County Park.

This presented an entirely new experience for fans and racers alike, as everybody scrambled to accommodate and respect all of the new rules—to say nothing of the current of the river and property issues. But for the foreseeable future, the SCSC’s new playground will be the Park in La Paz County, and that will include the Spring Classic races set for March 27-28.

The 74th Annual Thanksgiving Regatta started out with wind as a deterrent. By the end of the morning, SCSC President Ross Wallach told the boaters to get ’em wet—while watching out for whitecaps, swells, and current changes on the corners. Only then did the classes began to start qualifying. Read on for details on each class’s outcome. speedboat.com

The first class out was the Sportsman Extreme flatbottoms. Coming down the straightaway above is the lineup of (from inside lane to outside lane) Jasper MacDonald, Steve Coletta, Casey Hoffman, Samantha McDonald and Lane Fredrick.

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SCSC SHOWDOWN

COMP JET/CLASSIC ENDURANCE: Randall Dilworth and Mark Dilworth both drove the Comp Jet/Classic Endurance machine for the weekend. Randall took home the first-place trophy in the Comp Jet class, while Mark finished third in the Classic Endurance class.

FORMULA LIGHTS showed up a tad light in the class. Of the three entered, RJ West drives his brother Warren’s boat. The #25 boat would be the victor over Tom Poehick and Gilbert Soliz, Jr. in the #98 boat.

SPORTSMAN EXTREME: Casey Hoffman was tough to beat in the class. He dominated the field and took home the first-place trophy for the 74th Regatta.

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UNBLOWN FLATS had a good turnout of five boats. Tyler Roth drove for Danny Loveless in the #741 machine and took the first-place position on the podium over Robbie Devine and Dustin Daily.

Crash:

Left: Dale Baker got wet when his #55 flatty rolled over in the far turn, pitching him out into the river. Baker, driving for Dustin Millard, drove in both the Unblown Flat and the GPS 100 classes until this incident. He checked out OK. Right: Jasper MacDonald also rolled over in the far turn driving the #77 boat for Scott Dayley. He checked out OK after taking the plunge.

CRACKERBOX PRO: Scott Stump and Blake Stump take the win in Orangoutang, competing in a field of five crackers.

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JR. HYDROPLANE: Carson Kelly won all of his heats and took home the first place trophy in the class.

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SCSC SHOWDOWN FORMULA ONE: The boats in this class finally had a couple more to fill out the field. R.J. West, shoeing for Chuck Skelton in the #93 boat, took the victory over Spencer Love, Mike Quindazzi and Jude Gaspard. This group of guys put on a truly great show!

KRR: The K Boats were light on attendance, with the John Guthrie-owned #K16 and the Chris Pauliowned #K500 putting on the show. After some tight back-and-forth racing, Jay Hart took the win, driving for Guthrie. Tyler Roth finished a mere single point behind in Pauli’s machine.

OBSERVER’S SEAT RAY LEE secured my travel arrangements to be in attendance. Football has nothing on Lake X. Traditionally, Mercury’s unveilings are highly confidential and well-guarded until their scheduled release date and this one was no exception. I had no idea as to what it was going to be. Like most, I had my guesses, but they were not particularly educated ones. I thought maybe something eco-friendly by way of an electric engine or perhaps a hybrid? Since most of the correspondence was through Mercury Marine and not Racing, I ruled out anything that was to be high performance-based. Especially since the incredibly popular Mercury Racing 450R was debuted only a year and a half ago.

Vice President of Brunswick Global Communications and PR Lee Gordon and Brunswick Global PR and Media Relations Manager Michelle Meier were on hand to greet me and the others. We were escorted from the parking lot around to the front of their elaborately decorated work building. The large shop area was set up like a boat show, complete with wall-to-wall red carpeting, large flat screen monitors and other Mercury engines and products on display—as if you were actually at a traditional boat show.

And there it stood—in all its glory—proud and triumphant.

With five years in research and development, Mercury Marine presented to us the world’s first-ever V12, 7.6-liter, 600-hp Verado outboard engine—designed for the large center consoles and heavy cruisers.

I was utterly impressed. It was completely the opposite of what I had surmised, and I was ecstatic that I was wrong. They didn’t go smaller with their power…they went HUGE with it! “Go Boldly,” as their motto states, was as accurate as it could get.

Leave it to Mercury to never rest on their laurels but rather, expand to next level and beyond. It was apparent that I was not the only one pleasantly surprised by the news.

Cameras started to click, video started to roll and recorders started to record. We needed as much information as we could gather about this enigma that lay before us because it was nothing short of astonishing. (See Page 30 for details.)

Just beyond the “Boat Show” display and awaiting us on-water were six extraordinary boats already equipped with the new pow-

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[Continued from page 8]

erplants. These was a Scout 425 LXF and Sea Ray SLX 400 (each coupled to two engines), Boston Whaler 420 Outrage and Tiara 48 LS (each coupled to three engines), and a Formula 500 SSC and Valhalla V-46 (each coupled to four engines), which were all there for us to take rides on, to experience the performance and all of the proficiencies that the new 600-hp Verados were capable of—which were countless.

Most impressively to me was the experience I had on the new Formula 500 SSC with quad V12 engines. At 54' overall length, the boat boasted an immense 14½' wide beam and weighed an astonishing 47,000 lbs. It was immaculate on the inside, with styling cues from a posh, Miami-style condo— complete with full luxury amenities underdeck, multi-colored LED-lit cabin ceiling, a hideaway wet bar and super-stealth 65' flat screen TV, which arose from the depths of the starboard side gunwale, at the touch of a button.

But the truly remarkable thing about the Formula was the overall performance with

the new Verado power packages. The 500 SSC, which was the largest boat in the fleet that day, was pushed to an amazing top speed of 69 mph at 6,400 rpm, while achieving a 0-20 mph speed in 7.87 seconds and a 0-30 mph in 12.8 seconds, from standstill.

Furthermore, the handling of the massive vessel emulated that of a sport boat, carving S-turns cleanly and effortlessly.

From the team at Mercury Marine that endlessly strives for excellence, their new V12, 7.6-liter, 600-hp Verado outboard engine is the latest of their long line of successes and thus provides a better, stronger, more efficient option to the larger boats in the community.

But I can’t help but wonder how this new platform will feed into the high-performance side of Mercury engines in the future.

I suppose that I can again start to make my guesses. But whatever it is, I know that it will be methodically developed, meticulously designed and supremely successful.

In other words, Mercury Marine will again GO BOLDLY.

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