Originally posted by COBRA98:
Hi Fricky, Why do you believe that the perfomance would be impared? It would seem to me that if you make a minimum of a 75hp jump to the 496 that you should pick up 5 Mph in top end with such a relatively light hull such as the Sterling or even the Vortex which is only 6inches longer.
The handling I could see somewhat given that their is going to be a 200Lb difference between the engines, but that doesnt seem that signifigant.
One option that has been considered is the
377 Scorpion, but it seems to me that you wouldnt be able to push the performance much past the 350-360 Hp level on a high reving small block.
Anyone have an opinion on this one?
COBRA 98,
I had heard from another Essex owner that performance would be sacrificed, but after I posted the message I began to think like you. I dont believe that performance would be affected.
Again though I think a 350 small block is sufficient for pulling a 270 pound skier out of the water and on open water under the right conditions you could hit 63 mph (according to my spedometer, not GPS). I love my Sterling so my opinion is very biased. I have never been to Hallet, but I do know that they to make a solid boat.
[This message has been edited by Fricky (edited March 09, 2001).]