speed predictions.......

[Sherpa]

Maybe I should wait to ask this since I don't have the boat yet....
I found a 20 foot river-style boat I want to buy. the layout is like a open-
floor, single center console, SBC/berk jet drive, thru-transome hardin marine
engine package.
boat has open gunnels, ply-fibre floor, and not much else in it...........
motor looks like a 350 with a single carter/rochester carb. guessing maybe
a 260HP package........
I am considering making a dive boat from it.......... any ballpark ideas
as to how fast this thing might go like it sits-????
can I expect 30 mph? 40 would be nice. anything more than that would be
icing on the cake.....
thanks!
--Sherpa

[superdave013]

I say you might enjoy some icing on that cake!

[DeputyDawg]

It should run 40+ no problem. Now if you have it loaded down with four or five divers and all their gear as well as full fuel tanks it might not hit 40.
It is hard to tell from your discription just how big and heavy the boat is, and that will have a lot to do with speed.

[Squirtcha?]

Just guessing here, but I would think the horsepower estimate of 260 is probably a little high? I'd think closer to 200-210 or so with the log type exhaust, carb etc.
I imagine that it still oughta do the 30-40 mph you're hoping for though.

[Sherpa]

Most excellent!
ANYTHING OVER 30 is gonna be nice........
you guys have probably seen some of the older ski-barge type boats,
kinda like an un-lined boston whaler sorta hull design....... minimal V hull,
not a "true river/fisher flat bottom" hull, but kinda has a delta-pad to ride on
at speed. anyone remember those "datsun-jet" boats-? like a 16 footer,
runs an inline 6 (Z-motor) from waaay ago........ dating myself with that
one.......
as for boat weight, this boat is on a single axle trailer, and is pretty light.
the motor is a hardin marine 350, guess the HP..........300 hp for me doing
a full build is easy..........
--thanks guys!
--Sherpa

[dmontzsta]

35mph on a good day.

[Oldsquirt]

.....anyone remember those "datsun-jet" boats-? like a 16 footer,
runs an inline 6 (Z-motor) from waaay ago........ dating myself with that
one.......
Those were actually powered by the 4-cylinder L-series motors(thinking L-18 or L-20) not the 6. Skiied behind one in the Delta here many, many years ago. Pretty surprising how well it performed, but those were pretty light little boats.

[old rigger]

Use to be called a 'Sundance' if memory serves me well. You could go right in the local Datsun dealer and buy on. We had a dealer around the block from our house back then and they had one on display. They had the same one on display for a few years. I don' think they ever sold one out of that shop. lol
It might have been tough for Datsun to sell boats in our neighborhood, with in walking distance of them.....Rogers, Howard, Tahiti, Anthony, a few others I can't remember right now. :)
Those were actually powered by the 4-cylinder L-series motors(thinking L-18 or L-20) not the 6. Skiied behind one in the Delta here many, many years ago. Pretty surprising how well it performed, but those were pretty light little boats.