Although I haven’t ridden on one yet, I’ve seen them run. I think they are a comparable alternative to the 540. I don’t think they’re going to outperform a strong 540 (at this point), and I don’t foresee them taking a big chunk of the market away from the 540, but for the guy who hates going to the ...

Those welded boats look like that very quickly if you run any dry. I’ve seen a welded aluminum boat that was only 6 months old that looked just like your buddies hull. You get what you pay for.

So Davie GSO480, I’ve seen the pics of boats you have owned in the past. You and I have very similar tastes in boats (riveted aircraft hulls with 540 power). For your ‘next’ boat, would you stay this DD route, go LS w/gearbox, or go back to aircraft? Good question man...depends what you want out of...

So Davie GSO480, I’ve seen the pics of boats you have owned in the past. You and I have very similar tastes in boats (riveted aircraft hulls with 540 power). For your ‘next’ boat, would you stay this DD route, go LS w/gearbox, or go back to aircraft?

I agree Sniper, this is a good thing. More options are always better, especially when you’re talking about cheaper options in a very expensive hobby. One thing that is causing me doubt is that prop. That’s not a lot of prop. I have a buddy who runs a 5 blade Alpha on his 540, I believe it’s a 70”, b...

I saw you out there in January, nice boat.

So is that one of the key elements to making a DD work, making the blades shorter so that you can spin it past 3K RPM? I always thought 3K RPM was the limit.

Always things that can be improved, our "sport" needs the constant progress or it will fade eventually I agree, but I disagree. No doubt, this platform will have its place. Just like CM gearbox boats, ecotechs, or even rotax powered boats have their place. Improvements in anything are alw...

I have owned probably a dozen 305 powered Monte Carlos and El Camino’s from the 80s...you are looking at 150 to 160 hp tops. My advice is to keep that boat as is so that it doesn’t become a money pit. You could put a box on it and it still might not even run dry. Might be better off putting that mon...

I googled the creek too after watching. Looks beautiful, If you go let me know I’ll come.

This feud you guys are having is both hilarious and entertaining, lol. But it seems like it’s all in good fun. I know this is more of a HP vs TQ debate than a CM vs AC, but in the end that’s what it ends up being. IMO it all comes down to the size of the boat you need to power. 12 foot and under, ge...

CMB I am going to speculate that the direct drive project has been abandoned and you are now going the 7,000 rpm route. On the DD topic, I heard that there is someone (unknown) who has been working on a set of heads for an LS direct drive. Supposedly they are using an epoxy to narrow up and reshape...

I just went out to the shop and pulled my dipstick. I last changed my oil on January 17. A conservative estimate is that I have probably 12-15 hours on this oil, I’ve run the boat 6 or 7 times this year so far. Some quick rides, a couple of long rides, so it’s probably more than 12-15 hours. I run A...

I changed my oil and filter every 25 hrs - what is your schedule?? I go on the 25 hour schedule too, but I have only owned this boat/motor for 3 years, no telling about the previous 27 years. I assume that the pan has not been off since Bob Stossel put it on. Changing the oil does not remove the st...

Did you have low oil pressure with the pan in that condition? Also, would your oil turn dark quickly after an oil change?

Hell, your “basic” riveted glades boat with a nice 540 is going to cost you around 40k these days. That’s built brand new from scratch with all good quality parts. Not including getting crazy with paint, light bars, etc. Sure, you can do it a little cheaper if you build your own rigging, or buy a us...

I thought Benny Webb built those hulls.

Seven, I think you probably made the right choice going un-painted. Your thoughts are exactly right about water leaking under the paint, in particular on a deck over where you don't have good access. The Ugly Duck shows exactly the result, lot's of corrosion inside the hull with the old paint bubbl...

And I have have a question for you, seeing as your new hull is painted inside. And even though I don’t know your background, judging from your prior posts you seem like a knowledgeable guy. What’s your opinion on painting the inside of the hull on a riveted boat? I just had a new riveted hull built,...

That’s cool. Are they older boats that were lightly used, or were they never rigged?

Those big name production boats get expensive fast. Even building a little grass boat is expensive these days: 13’ Benny Webb hull with storage bins - 11000 Trailer - 2500 Rigging - 2500 Straight Valve 540 - 13000 Prop - 2000 Rudders - 400 Gauges/wiring - 1500 Seats - 200 Paint - 2000 So you’re look...

You’re forgetting some big dollar items....trailer, rudders, braided stainless lines, etc. A boat that nice is going to be sitting on a nice trailer, figure 3-4K. Rudders are another $400. Stainless lines get pricey. Diggin has a few nice boats (including that beautiful 12’ Thurman I sold him that h...

2A29AD3A-57B5-4D83-B7D9-715205553F75.jpeg Interesting post about metal thickness and weight. I just had a brand new 13 foot hull built from 7075. I chose to go .125 thickness, because according to several suppliers websites that I researched online, the total weight of the hull only increases about...

Interesting post about metal thickness and weight. I just had a brand new 13 foot hull built from 7075. I chose to go .125 thickness, because according to several suppliers websites that I researched online, the total weight of the hull only increases about 40 pounds going from .100 to .125. Well wo...

John, how do you true-up a bottom with the decks on? I was thinking a bottle jack, and spread the load on the top across a 2x4?