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5.7 OB Persuader...how fast

boatn70

Well-known member
anyone got a boat like this and how fast does it run with this setup?
handling? etc.
i want to sell my convincor and get a smaller boat.

how are these persuaders with big blocks in them? is weight an issue?
 
I'll chime in... I own a 92 Persuader BR with the 350mag option and love the thing. It is simply the best handling, best riding boat i have owned (see sig.) The 350 has been a work in progress and i haven't got it to its full potential just yet. the previous owner had taken it to a ding-dong who had the carb and timing settings all goofed up. I'm seeing nearly 60mph running light, 54-55 with 4 adults, full fuel and a bunch of kids. I'm taching 4400rpm on a 21p Mirage and a 1.5 ratio alpha-1. I'm just tickled that the thing runs cool, starts every time hot or cold and generally runs perfect. I'm not messing with it until winter when i plan an engine upgrade.

You'll find the Persuader is a great riding boat in chop, better than my 21' Starflite and every boat before it. My wife with big boobs will be the first to complain when the water gets rough and so far she's given this boat 2 thumbs up. At speed, you can really air it out, getting that light feeling up front. Trim it down and the waves are sliced nicely. The 350 gets up on plane well and really throws you into the seat when the throttle is dumped at cruising speed. The thru-hull exhaust option gets you noticed too.

My only real complaint it the 20' is a bit short on space for my needs. For my wife and two kids, it's perfect. But we always seem to have another family going with us and that makes it tight. They made a 21 and 23 footer which offered a bit more room. Otherwise there is plenty of storage and the interior is well laid out.

I have a few options for the engine build. I'm sticking with a small block. I believe a BB was offered in the 23' and i'm sure it would fit in the 20'. However, I know for a fact, HP for HP a BB will use more fuel. allot more fuel. We get excellent fuel mileage with the 350 (relatively speaking). We went 3 hours at speeds from idle to about 2500rpm on around 1/3 a tank of fuel (33 gallon tank). I then blew 2/3rds within an hour by running 2500-4000 most of the time, with about 2-3 minutes total WOT. It's all relative to your agressiveness on the throttle. I'm opting to have the current 350 rebuilt with good heads, a bit more compression and a torquier (sp?) cam, hopefully spinning a larger prop. My builder notes 400-425 is easily attainable on pump fuel and will still be good on fuel. I'm hoping for 70mph. A BB won't sink the boat, as my Persuader sits well in the water with the SB, full tank and two chickies sitting on the sun deck. But you'll need to watch how you park it when you dock near high waves areas. I don't allow waves to slam into the back as it is now.

By chance, if you run across any 22+ bow rider Persuaders that you don't buy, shoot me a PM. I'm looking to upgrade in size. My 20' is for sale, but only until October. That's when i decide to keep it and get busy making it fly :thumb:
 
anyone got a boat like this and how fast does it run with this setup?
handling? etc.
i want to sell my convincor and get a smaller boat.

how are these persuaders with big blocks in them? is weight an issue?


What size?
 
the persuader i found is a 21', my convincor is the 242 sport.
thanks winter for the great followup. i have a nice 502 from the convincor that id like to install in the persuader at some point (unless it sells with the convincor)
 
the persuader i found is a 21', my convincor is the 242 sport.
thanks winter for the great followup. i have a nice 502 from the convincor that id like to install in the persuader at some point (unless it sells with the convincor)


Gotcha... Mine is a 260, and wouldn't make a good comparison,.
 
I tried a 2004 Persuader 234 (Bowrider) with a 6.2L engine last year and I have to admit, it was a very, very smooth ride. Slightly better than the newer ZT series. I got GPS to 62 MPH with 2 passengers, gear and a full tank. Nothing special had been done to the engine.

Definitely one of the best hulls Checkmate has made. Try to get something with a 2002 or newer engine. That is when Mercury increased horsepower for the same block size as the old engines. If you plan to upgrade the engine, then the year does not matter.
 
I had a '92 persuader 219 w/454..330 hp..bravo one..
I agree it's the best hull that CM has made..Handles extremely well..I was getting low 70's.. :surf:
 
Well our 260 Enforcer is a bit bigger, but the hull is only 24.5' the rest is swim platform. I'm told the enoforcer in 94 turned into the persuader. We
LOVE ours, not very fast, but eats the rough stuff up. 53 GPS with a 454 MAg and a beat up solid hub mirage. getting a Mirage plus this week, so hopefully we get better numbers for the holiday weekend.
 
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