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new guy and i need some help

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#22 ·
#23 · (Edited)
Super24 said:
Looks nice but that motor would scare me away. I wonder who assembled / rigged it. I'm not a motor guy but I thought those who use zz502's usually swap out the cam for a more marine(ish) cam? No mention of that in the specs?
Click to expand...
I agree on the cam thing, thats the one thing about a performance motor. Ya never know what your gonna get. A good deal? or someones problem?
 
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#24 ·
I may be a bit biased :D but 23 Nova's are great little boats, for what they are. Mine is rock solid. Not the best for rough water but in general a great lake boat. Mine handles 2 to 2 1/2 footers well, up to a little over 70 MPH. The Nova in post 5 (link) says it will do +80 MPH. +80 is 'kind of' ok in smooth water. But +80 is a 2 to 2 1/2 foot chop is down right scary. 23 Nova's get REAL loose over 80 MPH. Wanna know how I know that? :D

If you can find a 23 with a stock 7.4/330 it will run around 57ish on GPS. And it will give you a very good ride, in water 2 1/2 feet or less. Whatever you decide to get, think about having t surveyed by a pro ;)
 
#25 ·
btw.... I ran a ZZ502 in my Nova for 4 seasons, with the ZZ502 cam. 1st season I ran it with the stock Merc exhaust. Then I replaced the Mercs with Revolution Marine exhaust. When the engine was torn down in prep for more power there were no signs of reversion problems. However, the ZZ cam is similar to the HP500 cam, which is/was known for reversion. I believe Merc advised the owners to keep the idle on the high side, due to possible reversion with the HP500's. Realizing that, I set idle on my ZZ at about 700 to 750 RPMs. And I'd always give the throttle a couple of quick cracks to clear the exhaust out before shutting the engine off. The ZZ502 in my Nova turned out to be a very dependable engine :)
 
Discussion starter · #26 ·
wow guys thank you so much for the info! but ive decided that a sure fast boat if gonna cost me a bunch of money. i love the idea of a 454 block making me fly across the water, but the gas part of it i dont love. remind you that my jet boat only has 175hp so i really dont need to be the fastest thing on the bay. i just wanna have something thats quick and peppy, but something i hangout on ad fun with my friends. so what are my options for something a little more fuel efficient?
 
#27 ·
dbkski said:
Don't buy an old boat!!!

Don't buy an old boat!!!

Don't buy an old boat!!!

You are asking for trouble, heartache, and financial
burdens that will affect your love of the sport.
If your Tango is mechanically sound and looks good
save your money until you can afford your dream boat.
Do a search and see how many Liberators, Wellcrafts,
Scarabs, Bajas, and even Formulas are rotting. Can
you find a 20 year old cream puff? Yes but the odds
are against you. Most boats from the 80's and 90's
were not built very well. I own a Cobalt now and will
never own a boat with wood in it again. This is just
one dude's opinion, but since I was in your shoes a
few years ago, I don't want you to live through the
same hassles I did.
Click to expand...
I beg to differ, if you are PATIENT you can find some sweet old deals. I bought my 78' Nova from the original owner and it's in better shape than many 10 year old boats I see.

Image
 
#29 · (Edited)
How much longer do you have to be a student? I must say, I personally think it's pretty awesome to have what you have. To each his own...that's for sure, but my opinion is to save the money you do have, enjoy the boat you have and when you get out of school, you could use that as a downpayment on a boat that really will "Scratch the Itch." Remember, buying a boat isn't all there is to this endless money pit. What happens if it does break - will you have the dough to fix it, or will you be stuck with a boat, but one you can't run?

Sorry to be Debbie Downer, but my opinion is save your cash, enjoy your reliable boat until you get out of school, then, once you get settled in ur new job, get the one you want. Another positive side to that is, you won't have an old boat to sell either.

Just my $0.02....Patients is a virtue grasshopper. I know it's hard, but you have to ask yourself..."Is this really the right time, and can I afford it?" If the answer is yes, then by all means - go get one and enjoy it, but make sure it's been well taken care of with no rot or serious mechanical trouble.

Whatever you decide....WELCOME to Speedwake, you will find a LOT of good advice on here and the occassional ribbing. Enjoy!
 
#33 ·
vdubin said:
wow guys thank you so much for the info! but ive decided that a sure fast boat if gonna cost me a bunch of money. i love the idea of a 454 block making me fly across the water, but the gas part of it i dont love. remind you that my jet boat only has 175hp so i really dont need to be the fastest thing on the bay. i just wanna have something thats quick and peppy, but something i hangout on ad fun with my friends. so what are my options for something a little more fuel efficient?
Click to expand...
You need a 21 foot superboat or a 22 foot activator with a 200-250 hp merc on the back.

Perfect bay boat, bigger than your jet boat, runs 65-75 easily with said power and can be very fuel efficient and tons available in your price range that are not rotted out old baja's
 
Discussion starter · #34 ·
cads03 said:
How much longer do you have to be a student? I must say, I personally think it's pretty awesome to have what you have. To each his own...that's for sure, but my opinion is to save the money you do have, enjoy the boat you have and when you get out of school, you could use that as a downpayment on a boat that really will "Scratch the Itch." Remember, buying a boat isn't all there is to this endless money pit. What happens if it does break - will you have the dough to fix it, or will you be stuck with a boat, but one you can't run?

Sorry to be Debbie Downer, but my opinion is save your cash, enjoy your reliable boat until you get out of school, then, once you get settled in ur new job, get the one you want. Another positive side to that is, you won't have an old boat to sell either.

Just my $0.02....Patients is a virtue grasshopper. I know it's hard, but you have to ask yourself..."Is this really the right time, and can I afford it?" If the answer is yes, then by all means - go get one and enjoy it, but make sure it's been well taken care of with no rot or serious mechanical trouble.

Whatever you decide....WELCOME to Speedwake, you will find a LOT of good advice on here and the occassional ribbing. Enjoy!
Click to expand...
well ill be a student for many years cause im studying medicine. myabe your right though. ill really take this into consideration when i buy a boat
 
#35 ·
22 scarab... good idea rock..

that post about dont buy an old boat.... take it for what its worth....not much ..... the message should have been to examine older boats with more scrutiny
 
#36 ·
vdubin said:
so what are my options for something a little more fuel efficient?
Click to expand...


Contrary to marketing selling tactics and what some fall for.................. the bbc is going to be the most efficient in a deep V monohull boat.
It has more torque and turns less rpm compared to an sbc in the exact same hull therefore less fuel at cruise. On average the bbc is 2.5gph more efficient than the sbc.
Also the bbc has less audible decibels at cruise and is more pleasant to visit with friends.

Other than the bbc the only other option is shorter boat.

Just the facts. :winker:
 
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Discussion starter · #37 ·
aquaforce said:
Contrary to marketing selling tactics and what some fall for.................. the bbc is going to be the most efficient in a deep V monohull boat.
It has more torque and turns less rpm compared to an sbc in the exact same hull therefore less fuel at cruise. On average the bbc is 2.5gph more efficient than the sbc.
Also the bbc has less audible decibels at cruise and is more pleasant to visit with friends.

Other than the bbc the only other option is shorter boat.

Just the facts. :winker:
Click to expand...
sorry dude..i dont know what bbc or sbc is
explain? lol
thanks
 
#39 ·
Kidnova said:
btw.... I ran a ZZ502 in my Nova for 4 seasons, with the ZZ502 cam. 1st season I ran it with the stock Merc exhaust. Then I replaced the Mercs with Revolution Marine exhaust. When the engine was torn down in prep for more power there were no signs of reversion problems. However, the ZZ cam is similar to the HP500 cam, which is/was known for reversion. I believe Merc advised the owners to keep the idle on the high side, due to possible reversion with the HP500's. Realizing that, I set idle on my ZZ at about 700 to 750 RPMs. And I'd always give the throttle a couple of quick cracks to clear the exhaust out before shutting the engine off. The ZZ502 in my Nova turned out to be a very dependable engine :)
Click to expand...
I wasn't inferring that the zz502 is not a good engine. It's just that from the stories I've read they don't seem to be exactly "plug and play" when it comes to marine use.
 
#40 · (Edited)
Super24 said:
I wasn't inferring that the zz502 is not a good engine. It's just that from the stories I've read they don't seem to be exactly "plug and play" when it comes to marine use.
Click to expand...
Hey no problem, I understand Super24. And you're right, there is some "marinizing" to be done to the ZZ before using in a boat. Short list.... change head gaskets and marinize or replace carb with marine unit. Also, marine ignition, starter, water pump, and bigger oil cooler, and marine pan. Also a good idea to to pull the center bypass valve from the oil filter pad, and change the 11lb. bypass valve on the side of the pad to a 30 lb. And, the ZZ cam would not be my 1st choice as it is on the edge of reversion, but it worked well for me.

Good thing is, with the exception of the carb, everything mentioned above was easily transferred from my 7.4/330 over to the ZZ502 :)
 
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aquaforce
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