Conquest owners out there?

[ONE-A-DAY]

We've been kicking around getting a new toon. The functionality is great but I struggle with the lack of speed. My wife and I are starting to align on a deck boat as the best of both worlds. Not a fan of magics, just too many of them out there, really like the conquests with a 525. Buddy bohica has one and I've always been impressed with it, and I've met the owners, very ccool down to urth folks.

Any comments from owners? How are they with a 496ho?

 

[RiverDave]

With that little power they are kind of doggish Walt.

 

[SJP]

Check this one out Walt? I did a quick search, didn't see any 525s for sale?.:thumbup:


Nice boats, lots of room and nice lines. I'll keep an eye out, if I see any 525 boats out there.


http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2005-Conquest-Boats-Top-Cat-2-344610

Well that will take care of the need for speed.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

I'm a big fan of 525's, had two of them in the DCB, simple cost effective upgrade to a whipple down the road if I got a hair up my ass to go faster.

I saw the 127 mph one as well, pretty boat, but not into a big built motor, in a boat with a hole in the front.

 

[Singleton]

496HO will get you a top speed somewhere in the 70's. Not sure that will solve your speed need. Might also look at the Howard, they have a good layout and space.

 

[FreeBird236]

Not quite as sleek of top, but the 27 Eliminator fun deck is basically the same boat, as is the American Offshore..:thumbup:

 

[havasu5150]

My Conquest has a 496HO. Mid 60's w/ a 22p prop. When I had it built I originally was thinking 525, however the cost to additional speed ratio, kept me at the 496. they run great with a 525. Cant go wrong with a Conquest.

 

[No Butt No Putt]

My girls uncle just picked up a Howard deck boat with a 525. He loves it and says it does high 70's on gps.

 

[pixrthis]

I rode in a friends with 650 hp and it moved along pretty good but being wind blown for extended periods of time got old. Floating is what they're best at.

 

[Phebus]

A Conquest II with a 525 is the perfect combo for Havasu in my opinion. Well built boat with a great layout.

 

[Shane54]

I have a conquest with a 496 as well. It is a bit of a dog out of the hole, but I am not out at the river to win races. It runs about low 60's top speed. But as I boat mostly on the river that is plenty fast enough for me. Busy weekends with Jetskis makes it scary to even do 50 on the river. But I have to say I love that boat. Plenty of room and just enough speed to make the trip to Pirates or the sandbar not seem like a 3 hour tour. I have had thoughts about repowering it, but as the other poster said, the speed to dollar ratio makes it less attractive. I also enjoy the reliability of the 496ho.

 

[McRib]

Id consider the howard 28 deck heavily. Side by side same power, crew, and weight the howard will out perform imo. Not omg diff but noticeable.

 

[LomitaBob]

I have been thinking a conquest deck would suit us perfect as well. the wife wants a toon, I dont! so we can putt around and chill and it's just fast enough to take a ride with out the family and have fun. good all around boat

 

[westair]

Conquest has a great look and style to them .... well thought out.

 

[Hugh Jascaulk]

Jody Gamble at Conquest is a straight shooter, he's been around the boat business a long time.

A Top Cat II w/ 525 will do 70, the Howard and Magic will be a little faster with equal power, mostly because the Conquest it a little heavier. Ask Jody to show you how they bond the hull and deck together, this is where the weight is added. Being a deck boat, they're a windy ride for the passengers, anything over 70 can get uncomfortable for them.

I've owned numerous boats, from big offshore's to flat bottoms, and the Conquest deck is by far been my favorite Havasu boat.

 

[Warlock1]

Kind of kickin the idea around for one of these as well. My wifes biggest complaint about our boat now is the ease of getting into the boat from the water. She is not into stepping on the tab then the drive and getting on a small swim platform. That being said, which deck has the biggest swim platform and is closest to the water???

 

[pronstar]

A Conquest II with a 525 is the perfect combo for Havasu in my opinion. Well built boat with a great layout.

That's what my BIL has...he loves it.

Walt, I'm sure my MIL would be more than happy to talk to you about his boat.
It's a really nice boat. Let me know if you'd like to talk to him about it.

IMHO, if I had the coin I'd roll with this one. Super-clean, with twin-turbo Carson Brummet power:

http://www.powerboatlistings.com/cg...er=CONQUEST&model=28 TOPCAT 1&sb=5&so=descend

 

[rivergames]

My family has had a Eliminator deck boat for about 10 years now.

It was originally rigged with a 496, but it took forever to get on plane. Then about 6 years ago then put a 502 in the boat. 10X's better. It can not get on plane with a full load of people and the gas tanks full.

 

[mbrown2]

Being a deck boat, they're a windy ride for the passengers, anything over 70 can get uncomfortable for them.

That is key....with a deck boat...if you are trying to shoot for speeds in the 80's/90's/100's.....get a closed bow cat cause it won't be safe and comfortable for the passengers.......A deckboat is to go 60 in comfort versus the 45mph pontoon with the 350 in it...

 

[Long Way Home]

Here are three reviews of a Howard Sport Deck, with different power, Max Speed was 80, 90 and 103.

http://www.howardboats.com/boat_reviews/powerboat_0906_28sportdeck.pdf

http://www.howardboats.com/boat_reviews/riverdavesplace_0207_28sportdeck.pdf * This link does not work, it changes the link from (hot....boat) to riverdavesplace ?
This test was from Hot......Boat 2007...You can find the link at http://www.howardboats.com/boat_specs/28_sport_deck/28_sport_deck.html

http://www.howardboats.com/boat_reviews/powerboat_0408_28sportdeck.pdf

This one is for sale on boat trader.
http://www.howardboats.com/boat_reviews/powerboat_0606_28sportdeck.pdf

 

[relaxalot]

I own the Howard deck... it is put together well. I would consider the Conquest or Howard. Put in a 525 or better yet the new 565.. Don't go with a 496. If you want reliability and performance this is your best combo. You can get the Howard with full windshields. You should ride in both to decide which one to buy. The Howard will outrun all of them.

 

[relaxalot]

 

[relaxalot]

View attachment 260709

Heard the testing with the 565 was in the 80's

600 puts you in the very high 80's

600 with whipple upgrades mid 90's

Losing weight will make you go faster or pulling behind chevy's

 

[underpressure]

496HO will get you a top speed somewhere in the 70's. Not sure that will solve your speed need. Might also look at the Howard, they have a good layout and space.

^^^^
Not even close! My buddy has one and with maybe a gallon of gas and completely unloaded (took out ALL of the crap, anchor, towels, bumpers, etc etc) it did EXACTLY 59 on a smooth coolish day (registered on my GPS speedo as I drove alongside him). He typically "cruises" at full throttle at about 42 - 45mph.

Walt, definitely do the 525 or more if you go this route...

 

[Hugh Jascaulk]

I saw the Cardudes old Howard deck with the 700 TPI on Boat trader. Ad says owner blew up the drive, can't afford to fix. It was listed @ 70K

 

[relaxalot]

I saw the Cardudes old Howard deck with the 700 TPI on Boat trader. Ad says owner blew up the drive, can't afford to fix. It was listed @ 70K

Take the boat to a good mechanic and do a leakdown test. If all is good then buy it and have Max Machine build the drive. Cardudes Howard is a beauty and it was a strong runner. It is worth a good look.

 

[JB in so cal]

Drive a Magic then decide. Faster with comparable power. Never feel alone on a weekend. :rolleyes

I've had mince since '04 and I've never been happier with a boat. Just sayin'

 

[gregk1]

we have a top cat with a 500 EFI runs great good out of the hole
about 68mph at 4800 rpm would probably do 70 with 2 on board but not much more than that this boat was $52k with 189 hours on it there is a magic and a conquest for sale at conquest hear in havasu

 

[DILLIGAF]

If you are open to a South Bay Tri-Toon with a 350 I know someone selling one with every option and only 8 hours

Definitly need more than a 496HO on the Conquest.....I drove one when I considered purchasing one. That leaves it slightly underpowered IMO.

 

[2FORCEFULL]

My wifes cheetah wildcat out runs all the deck boats with 525's and it has a 496...

it's very roomy, gets on plane quicker,use's less gas,and with the money I saved I paid cash for a new motorhome:thumbsup

 

[BMABITY]

My wifes cheetah wildcat out runs all the deck boats with 525's and it has a 496...

it's very roomy, gets on plane quicker,use's less gas,and with the money I saved I paid cash for a new motorhome:thumbsup

what is a ballpark figure for a boat like yours? Would a 525 be way over kill?

 

[Englewood]

what is a ballpark figure for a boat like yours? Would a 525 be way over kill?

x2? I love the look of your cheetah but scared to work them based on some of the older decks I have seen.

 

[2FORCEFULL]

what is a ballpark figure for a boat like yours? Would a 525 be way over kill?

high 5o's will buy one ...i up graded the interior,triple trailer,lowered bimini.....

they run in the 90's with a 525,,,

i've been 77 with the dana exhaust upgrade

:cool

 

[2FORCEFULL]

x2? I love the look of your cheetah but scared to work them based on some of the older decks I have seen.

these are a gary lench design and lay up....pretty awesome boat.. no issues what so ever... 3 seasons with not one repair:thumbsup:thumbsup

 

[pronstar]

Walt, if you're around for DS, I'm sure my BIL wouldn't mind taking you for a spin in his 525-powered Top Cat :thumbsup

 

[Joker]

Walt, you should have turned the DCB into a deck boat instead of a closed bow.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

Walt, if you're around for DS, I'm sure my BIL wouldn't mind taking you for a spin in his 525-powered Top Cat :thumbsup

Friend BOHICA has one, always liked the lines and ride. Another friend has a Howard, beautiful boat but in my opinion the ride doesn't compare to the conquest hull.

 

[Englewood]

these are a gary lench design and lay up....pretty awesome boat.. no issues what so ever... 3 seasons with not one repair:thumbsup:thumbsup

Thanks. Any chance you could message me some more pics?

 

[NicPaus]

Friend BOHICA has one, always liked the lines and ride. Another friend has a Howard, beautiful boat but in my opinion the ride doesn't compare to the conquest hull.

The one I have rode in was solid and rode great. I would say 525 at minimum if not a 700 as they are big.We had 13 on board and with a 496 would of been lucky to hit 50 let alone cruise at 80. The owner who has been boating before I was born and has owned countless boats did his homework before purchasing. Said they were the best built hulls he had looked at and after lunch with the owner he was sold.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

The one I have rode in was solid and rode great. I would say 525 at minimum if not a 700 as they are big.We had 13 on board and with a 496 would of been lucky to hit 50 let alone cruise at 80. The owner who has been boating before I was born and has owned countless boats did his homework before purchasing. Said they were the best built hulls he had looked at and after lunch with the owner he was sold.

I've met the owners, and bill from their shop did my DCB interior. As soon as the dust settles on a havasu escrow my wife and I need to get shopping.

 

[NicPaus]

I've met the owners, and bill from their shop did my DCB interior. As soon as the dust settles on a havasu escrow my wife and I need to get shopping.

I will keep my eyes open and pm you any good leads I might find and ask the 2 owners I know if they know of any worth scooping up over a new one.