Tunnel Hull I.d.

[FOMOCO76]

I just found a V-drive tunnel for sale but the owner doesn't know the manufacture , It apears to be a tunnel hull , the vin numbers start with JBX ? any ideas ?

[Oldsquirt]

MIC: JBX Status: In Business
Company: FIREHAWK PERFORMANCE BOATS Company Official: JOHNSON, JIM
Parent Company: Parent MIC:
Address: HCR 68, BOX 960 City: VIAN
State: OK Zip: 74962
Country: Phone: 9184895967
Fax: In Business: 5/3/1977 12:00:00 AM
Out of Business: Date Modified: 4/24/2002 12:00:00 AM
Type: Thrillcraft, jet boats, skiboats Additional Address:
Comments: HIGHWAY RT 68, BOX 156. 970506 NAME CHANGE; WAS JET BOAT ENGINEERING. 020424 ADDRESS CHANGE, WAS BOX 156. 020424 ONE FIREHAWK MOLD ACQUIRED BY M&R PERFORMANCE MARINE (ILH).
Information courtesy of: USCG MIC Search (http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/mic_database.htm)

[Bense468]

Are you sure it is a V-drive? It sounds like a texas tunnel. Is it an 18 or a 19?

[FOMOCO76]

yes it currently is set up with a 440 mopar . the best I can tell it's a v drive . it has a casale box , strut , and rudder . it's also got a small cavitation plate ? in the center . my guess this is at least 18 ft long . I'll try to get the rest of the numbers soon .

[Infomaniac]

It's a Cheyenne.

[FOMOCO76]

Yes it looks just like a chyenne tunnel ,I found a picture of one on the jet board . what kind of rep do these hulls have ? fast ? danger ? looking for a good boat to put a 600hp 514 bbf in .

[Infomaniac]

I don't remember who rigged it. Maybe Craig Taylor.
Measure the distance of the v-drive from the transom. Should be same optimum as a flat. Measure prop tip or strut barrel to transom and I will compare it to my Cougar. Transom to engine also.
Oh yea the most important part to make it handle properly. The keel needs to be level with the outer sponsons where the strut mounts. If it is too far down it was out of the mold for a jet and will get up on the keel and nothing on the outsides to stabilize it

[DUCKY]

Are you sure it's a Cheyenne splash? I thought those Oklahoma V-drive tunnels were a copy of the Eliminator Scorpion/Advantage Banshee. Remember Info? I was looking at buying one about a year ago, and was bugging you for "info" on rigging it.

[Infomaniac]

I don't recall Jimmy Johnson making any of the Scorpion style boats. There is/was a mold in Kansas though.

[FOMOCO76]

I just measured the items you asked for , INFOMANIAC . the first is the distance from the barrel on the strut to the transom = 18 " , not too sure this is what you wanted on that one . the distance from the front , flywheel side motor mount to transom is aprox. 50". the distance from the transom to the front of the v-drive box is aprox. 80 " ............. thak you for any help .

[Infomaniac]

Give me a day or so to check mine.

[FOMOCO76]

I just checked the keel in relation to the sponsons the point where the strut mount's the keel seems to be a 1/2 inch above the sponsons lowest point at the transom . I would like to learn how to set up this boat correctly, but the most important advise I need now is if this hull would be a good fast lake boat .

[Infomaniac]

Inside transom to v-drive = 97.5"
Inside transom to engine = 31.5"
Strut barrel end to outside transom = 13"
These are the best setup numbers for tunnel v-drives IMO

[FOMOCO76]

thanks for the info , hoping to pick this one up for the right price , it needs alot of work

[Blown 472]

Originally posted by FOMOCO76
yes it currently is set up with a 440 mopar . the best I can tell it's a v drive . it has a casale box , strut , and rudder . it's also got a small cavitation plate ? in the center . my guess this is at least 18 ft long . I'll try to get the rest of the numbers soon .
Sell that ford junk (joke) and leave the mopar in there, it will last longer and run harder then that damn ford.:D

[FOMOCO76]

I'm so confused ford, chevy , mopar oh my ! I think I'll stay with the ford although the chevy parts I'm using in the bbf is growing , connecting rods roller rockers &studs . warms your chevy hearts dont it .