Re: Rebuild Alpha One, Change Gear Ratio?
I had the bottom end built by a offshore racing engine builder... forged steel crank, ibeam rods, dished forged pistons, arp bolts, studs, etc.. block, everything blueprinted and balanced, block zero decked, add... afr195 heads, hardened one piece pushrods, comp steel roller rockers, large oil pan, oil cooler, airgap rpm intake holly 750 dp with proform body, quick fuel base, imco powerflow exhaust manifolds with long risers, comp marine grind cam, etc... set it up this time with intention of eventually putting a blower on it... but I'm kinda chicken to do it in this boat. It's a lot of fun now and not too much of a handful if you aren't stupid about it. another 100 - 150 horsepower could be scary... oh, I gutted the interior of the boat and engine compartment, all new stringers, floor, interior, etc... the hull is solod as a rock. I also took the hook out of it. definately won't handle water the way your formula will, but the light padded shallow v runs fast and stable with trim tabs and especially with the alpha ss drive I did have on it (that will go back on it when I quit spending so much time skiing and pulling kids around and make time to work on it). good luck with your upgrade - sounds like fun. that's a well built hull, you should be able to power it to the point of silliness... if you choose to... ;-)
I like your choice of hulls. I'm in the market for a project that'll handle heavier water and has alot more room - formula is at the top of the list... but looking in the 23-25 foot range. The current boat started as more of a learning experience before getting into something I can't afford to fix if I break it.
