Questions about outboards on cats

[Snprhed]

First of all I am looking at getting a cat. I am from the midwest and recently started vacationing in Havasu. I was amazed how the cats could run 60-70-80mph over choppy water and do it smoothly. I was absolutely stupified.

So now im looking. I found a Mach 26 that I like the look of, but as I peruse the forums Im not so sure the the outboards are reliable. Seems like they burn up powerheads. Can you have twin racing mercs and reliability. I have little interest in going over 90, but I would like it to be reliable and stable. Im really looking at staying under 50K

 

[tunnel vision]

I have had a Mach 22 & a 26 both with twins, it's all about quality oil! The Drags on my 22 were never made for recreational boating and they never missed a beat. The 300x's on my 26 just run and run.

TV

 

[138]

The 300xs is a great motor, we race the piss out of the stock ones stay away from the Mods that is what will kill your motor fast if not done right. Oil is the key put in what they tell you.

 

[Snprhed]

That is the boat im interested in. Im just trying to do my research and be thorough here. Ive got a Jeep Wrangler Im trying to sell, or trade towards boat. Its a long way to drive 2 vehicles for a "test drive" if its not reliable.

My other issue is that cats apparently drive much different than Vee's. Isn't the DCB supposed to be pretty stable?

 

[Snprhed]

How well does the 22 handle the Havasu chop?

By the way Im in Branson Mo

 

[RogerThat99]

I believe my buddy has that 22 pictured above (or an identical one) and it is for sale. PM Tunnel T on the boards. He has an F-26 with twin 300's and can give you his input on the reliability. I believe his has been very reliable. Here is a pic of Tunnel T's boat.

 

[Snprhed]

Im worried about how well I would be able to handle a 22 when it got rough out.

Am I worrying about nothing, are these stable boats in the Havasu chop?

 

[Chipster27]

I have a twin whacker 26' DCB and LOVE it. The motors are 2005 300x with about 250 hours on them. I've done nothing except change out the diaphragm that pumps oil from the onboard tank to the reservoir on the engine and install Lakeland's kit in the lower to relieve the pressure build up. Boat runs just under 100, but propped right it could break 100.

I took it to Al's outboards last summer and told him to go through the motors and let me know if there was ANYTHING that needed to be replaced. He pulled the injectors, had them flowed (tests showed they were damn near perfect before the flow), he ran compression on all cylinders and they were all within 5 pounds of each other (damn near perfect) and basically said these motors are rock solid and they should last THOUSANDS or hours.

The only thing I don't like about my 300x motors is they smoke, but that's been cured with the XS series. I love my outboards, love the reliability and for about 1/2 what a 800HP motor would cost you can reliably run at the same speed without the worries.

For what it's worth, I've run clevers and Bravo 1 style props (labbed and vented). For my boat, the B1s work much better. They carry the bow better at low speeds and seem to get out of the hole a little faster.

 

[blacksox]

I had a mach 22 and currently have a Mach 26 with twin 300's. I would definitely steer toward the 26 for stability and freeboard height. The Mach 26 is super fun to drive and cruises effortlessly at 70 mph. I'm not sure how it performs with the 2.5's. maybe someone can give better input about that motor/boat combo. Good luck!!:thumbup:

 

[Snprhed]

Thanks for the input so far. Does anybody know if a 99 mach 26 has built in coolers?

 

[Snprhed]

Chip what do you pull your Mach with? Would an Escalade do ok?

 

[Chipster27]

I currently pull it with an F450. Before my 450 I had a F250. Both would pull it. I can't speak for an Escalade, see what the GVWR is and if it's within the weight for a boat like this. I think the boat with the trailer is in the neighborhood of 5-6k pounds.

 

[Snprhed]

I currently pull it with an F450. Before my 450 I had a F250. Both would pull it. I can't speak for an Escalade, see what the GVWR is and if it's within the weight for a boat like this. I think the boat with the trailer is in the neighborhood of 5-6k pounds.

I doubt it ways as much as my 1992 24 foot Baja with a 454

 

[Chipster27]

I doubt it ways as much as my 1992 24 foot Baja with a 454

Probably not. It's the only thing on a trailer I have not weighed I though DCB's website had a weight of 5K, but I'm probably wrong.

 

[Snprhed]

Anybody have any input on the 280hp 2.5L mercs?

 

[Chipster27]

Anybody have any input on the 280hp 2.5L mercs?

Try http://www.screamandfly.com/forum.php Those guys are die hard outboard owners and can probably answer any questions you have.

 

[Snprhed]

Chip its funny they sent me over here for a question I had last week. Seems like lots of cross over members

 

[RogerThat99]

There is an Outboard Church thread on here started by War Canoe. He is pretty knowledgeable about outboards.

 

[Singleton]

Chip what do you pull your Mach with? Would an Escalade do ok?

Escalade depending in year is rated to 8500. I pull my 26 deck boat with no issues when needed.

 

[GregG]

Im worried about how well I would be able to handle a 22 when it got rough out. Am I worrying about nothing, are these stable boats in the Havasu chop?

I know that you are thinking about a twin cat, but if you want a great rough water boat that is still very fast, you might want to consider the used Bernico that is for sale on this site with Mercury 300XS power. They call it a 21, but I believe it actually is exactly 24' long from tip to transom extensions so it might be a good fit for you if you wanted to convert it to a 90mph pleasure boat with seating for 5 that gets great gas mileage with the Optimax. It would also be super easy to tow. I think they are $85k new.

2003 Bernico 21 for sale

2009 Kevlar carbon fiber seats added
2009 installed 300xs Mercury
2009 new full cap
2011 new wiring
2011 new hydraulic steering and Rex Marine cordless trim on the wheel
2011 new power head
$37,000 Freight not included.

Carl
(310) 409 8499
[email protected]

 

[Snprhed]

Speed is nice. I'd like to do 70+

If I were to go vee there is a 24 Warlock on this site I think, that will do 74mph with a 24 degree deadrise for $24000.

 

[Snprhed]

So I had planned on financing a good chunk of this. However after talking to a couple people it does not appear like it is a real possibility. They are talking like its gonna take 50% down and a not a very long term. I appreciate the people that contributed. When I'm ready I have clear direction for the future big boat

 

[gqchris]

So I had planned on financing a good chunk of this. However after talking to a couple people it does not appear like it is a real possibility. They are talking like its gonna take 50% down and a not a very long term. I appreciate the people that contributed. When I'm ready I have clear direction for the future big boat

Snpr, dont feel bad. Alot of us have drooled over that DCB and discovered that financing is non existent these days on older boats.

Dont be discouraged. Can you swing 25-30k ish cash? There are options out there if so for a little older cat. Have PR338 be on the lookout fore ya. He is the resident boat searcher

I found my Warlock 25 SXT a few months ago, and love it. Sunday it was blowing 20+ mph and I cruised at 60 on top of it all. It was a crazy feeling. Keep up your search! That DCB just requires a cash buyer.

Chris

 

[gqchris]

Lol, like that older 25 daytona at Elim for 29K?

Btw, what ever happened with that boat? I thought you were going to go look at it, and then the next day you bought a Warlock 25?...:thumbup:

Hey PR. Thanks again for your leg work. Hope to meet you at DS this year.

Yea the salesman called me back and told me, "Oh, that boat is sold, and we have 3 backup offers on it". And that was it, he hung up.

I used to sell boats, and it definately was not the approach I took. But whatever, it all worked out good and my boat is kick ass and newer than the Eliminator and it doesnt porpoise heheheh..

 

[Snprhed]

So heres the skinny. I really like the 25-26 foot cats. It doesnt appear that its going to work out for me now. So I went with something reliable, cheap and small. I figure it will put me in a good position for next summer.

Thanks for all the input here I really appreciate it

http://memphis.craigslist.org/boa/3688685811.html

 

[Chipster27]

So heres the skinny. I really like the 25-26 foot cats. It doesnt appear that its going to work out for me now. So I went with something reliable, cheap and small. I figure it will put me in a good position for next summer.

Thanks for all the input here I really appreciate it

http://memphis.craigslist.org/boa/3688685811.html

Congrats! That will get you on the water and give you a little more time to dial in what you really want. Keep your eyes on the prize and eventually you'll have what you want.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[gqchris]

Congrats on the new float! Those are clean rides and fun to drive. Let us know how she runs!

 

[tunnel vision]

Congrats, that boat doesn't suck, have fun!

TV

 

[236eaglexp]

I have had a Mach 22 & a 26 both with twins, it's all about quality oil! The Drags on my 22 were never made for recreational boating and they never missed a beat. The 300x's on my 26 just run and run.

TV View attachment 260106 View attachment 260107

Hi
I've been reading through some older posts and saw your boat with 300's.
I'm looking at a dcb 26 with 300's and a cougar 23 with twin 200 optimax, which I hear are really fuel efficient. How was fuel usage on your setup with the 300's?

 

[tunnel vision]

The 300's are better on fuel, but they're not even close for power.