1980 Howard 21ft

[Justin Michael Van Gorder]

Hello posting my new to me 1980 Howard had it for about 8 months just finished up the interior and hit the water for the first time this past Saturday

 

[sintax]

Nice man!!

Love the interior, super classic and clean.

Hopefully can check it out in person sometime. I’ll be looking out for you.

 

[74 spectra20 v-drive]

Congrats, looks good man.

 

[Justin Michael Van Gorder]

Things escalated quickly

 

[Brokeboatin221]

Hahaha wth shed some light please

 

[Backlash]

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Justin Michael Van Gorder]

Boat ran around 55mph but I had constant issues, popped a head gasket so pulled the motor out and then decided to go with a blower motor 496 stroker 8/71 blower made 850hp 800 tq on pump 91, then the classic while I’m here I’ll just do a few more things so built a full rail kit got rid of the velvet drive for a turbo 400 setting it up for hydraulic steering still working on that setup getting stainless skags rudder and strut moving the water pick ups to the cav plates and all new gauges. Once the steering is finalized everything will come out get powder coated then finally time to assemble for the last time.

 

[Justin Michael Van Gorder]

Here is a picture of the hydraulic steering setup it’s 3 turns lock to lock not crazy stiff either. Haven’t taken any pictures since the rigging came back from powdercoat but system is bled and seems to be running smooth

 

[Brokeboatin221]

Looks good! Mine needs steering but can’t afford hydraulic so double cable it is.

 

[Justin Michael Van Gorder]

 

[Justin Michael Van Gorder]

engine will be back in sometime next week, then just a drive shaft and some plumbing and re fitting the interior

 

[Brokeboatin221]

Looks really nice! Steering came out sharp!

 

[74 spectra20 v-drive]

Great job with that set up looks super clean!!!!

 

[Backlash]

First time I've seen a hydraulic cylinder for an outboard used in this manner. Nicely done!

 

[Justin Michael Van Gorder]

Engine is back in, should be running by the end of the week

 

[Justin Michael Van Gorder]

Almost done with plumbing, still need to get a driveshaft made

 

[Justin Michael Van Gorder]

Lake tested finally, anybody have a set of 27s, 29s, or 32s they’d like to part ways with?

 

[Brokeboatin221]

Heck yeah man looks and sounds amazing!

 

[Brokeboatin221]

Did you move your strut around for the bigger power at all? Just curious.

 

[AngrySailor]

Just curious as I was discussing gears for my flat bottom recently with JJ and we were looking at 25 or 29’s. I opted for 29’s as it’s not a competition boat and to drop the rpm a little bit, your boat is quite a bit larger, wondering what sort of rpm range you’re after? Seems like a lot of gear but I don’t know squat about anything other than my old Hondo lol.

 

[Justin Michael Van Gorder]

Did you move your strut around for the bigger power at all? Just curious.

No I did not move the strut, I plan on doing that when I do the gelcoat.

 

[Justin Michael Van Gorder]

Just curious as I was discussing gears for my flat bottom recently with JJ and we were looking at 25 or 29’s. I opted for 29’s as it’s not a competition boat and to drop the rpm a little bit, your boat is quite a bit larger, wondering what sort of rpm range you’re after? Seems like a lot of gear but I don’t know squat about anything other than my old Hondo lol.

I have 18s in it currently 60- 65 I’m at almost 6k rpm, I’d like to cruise at 50 mph at 3k rpm

 

[Outdrive1]

What a great looking boat. You did a nice job with it. Try Connoly Marine in Havasu, they had some gear sets. I’m not sure if Mario at SoCal took over Connoly, but he’s been posting parts online for them.

I love the blue colors. Once again nice ride.

 

[Outdrive1]

He had a couple sets that sold. Maybe he has more.

 

[Justin Michael Van Gorder]

What a great looking boat. You did a nice job with it. Try Connoly Marine in Havasu, they had some gear sets. I’m not sure if Mario at SoCal took over Connoly, but he’s been posting parts online for them.

I love the blue colors. Once again nice ride.

Thank you, I’ll give him a call today

 

[AngrySailor]

I have 18s in it currently 60- 65 I’m at almost 6k rpm, I’d like to cruise at 50 mph at 3k rpm

Wow. 3k is just loafing along. Depending on where your engine makes power you could actually hurt fuel economy by lugging. I had a SBC in a S-10 many years ago with a mild cam and I took a job an hour drive from home. I pulled the 3.41’s out and put in 2.56’s and it hurt my mileage big time as the engine was below the cams “happy place”. I ended up going back to the 3.41’s and letting her sing a little rpm with way less throttle input. Just something to consider?

 

[HighVoltage329]

That blower big block will be a tork monster. I wouldn't go anything lower than 32*

 

[Justin Michael Van Gorder]

Spent the last few days cleaning up the boat, looks presentable now. Still on the hunt for gears at least she looks good now