Its time, Howard 255 going in the mold!

[Riverryder]

look forward to seeing what you do to block the wind. Weird that all deck boats don’t come with it. 230 wtob is almost un bearable to see in the middle seat on the bench at speed.

 

[v6toy4x]

Dig the colors and attention to detail... Anything delayed getting it completed sooner? 9 months seems long.....

Fiberglass and gel a bit in the beginning, and the flooring this last week. Nothing on howards end really, i did tell them that I did not want to make any decisions or "settle" on anything just to meet a schedule. I have been wanting to do this for several years and did not want to look back and say i wish i would have. I will never be able to afford this again so I only get the one shot at it.

 

[v6toy4x]

Great looking boat. Are those underwater lights mounted on the trim tabs?

Yes livorsi just came out wit those in the last year or so maybe? I saw them on teagues site and added them just cause?

 

[v6toy4x]

look forward to seeing what you do to block the wind. Weird that all deck boats don’t come with it. 230 wtob is almost un bearable to see in the middle seat on the bench at speed.

I may very well be regretting not getting the windshield, I saw one with the clear version without knowing there was an option for tinting.
My thought on the clear was it looked like the boat was wearing safety glasses. Then i saw a 255 with the tinted version and it looked a lot better so if I take it back it will be for the tinted version.

As far as the front walk thru, I think a couple L brackets with some 1/4" rod ends, a piece of 1/4 x 1-1/4 alum bar stuck broke into a "U" with a couple roller wheels on the ends and a small elec actualtor with a rod end. Looks good on paper anyway!!

But I dont plan on sitting in the rear middle seat so to heck with em

 

[Marios Metalworks]

Yes livorsi just came out wit those in the last year or so maybe? I saw them on teagues site and added them just cause?

I love this option!

 

[v6toy4x]

I love this option!

I like the way the electrical goes through the transom plate of the tab assy as opposed to more holes in the bottom

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

Awwwe.... they even threw in a cooler.... what givers

 

[Stayin'ontop]

I like the way the electrical goes through the transom plate of the tab assy as opposed to more holes in the bottom

expecting about 90 MPH with the 565??

 

[v6toy4x]

expecting about 90 MPH with the 565??

early on we were talking mid/upper 80s with fuel and some people.

If I could turn a 90 with low fuel and just me that would definitely give me bragging rights in my "crew" (bunch of old guys!)
Probably rarely ever run above 60, so not planning on prop swaps or anything like that.

Boat probably doesn't need the livorsi tabs but I didn't like the look of the sport tabs so it was either nothing or the livorsis,
"better to have and not need than need and not have!"

 

[Stayin'ontop]

early on we were talking mid/upper 80s with fuel and some people.

If I could turn a 90 with low fuel and just me that would definitely give me bragging rights in my "crew" (bunch of old guys!)
Probably rarely ever run above 60, so not planning on prop swaps or anything like that.

Boat probably doesn't need the livorsi tabs but I didn't like the look of the sport tabs so it was either nothing or the livorsis,
"better to have and not need than need and not have!"

yah I'm sure you'll end up using the tabs more than you think. just better control. should help with uneven weight distribution......the little things.... it's a beautiful package!

 

[v6toy4x]

yah I'm sure you'll end up using the tabs more than you think. just better control. should help with uneven weight distribution......the little things.... it's a beautiful package!

thank you

 

[v6toy4x]

water tested today, wife is happy and we know what that means, happy wife happy life!

 

[Roosky01]

water tested today, wife is happy and we know what that means, happy wife happy life!


View attachment 1095662


View attachment 1095663

Love the boat! I can’t imagine how hard it’s been to wait that long! A smoked windshield would really give her a sinister profile, IMO.

 

[v6toy4x]

Love the boat! I can’t imagine how hard it’s been to wait that long! A smoked windshield would really give her a sinister profile, IMO.

That is actually the only thing we questioned after the water test, the windshield was a tough call, smoked definitly better than clear. Mike said it is one of the last things they install and if we decided this fall to add it i can bring it down and get it added.

Soooooooooooo! It may be in the cards still.

 

[Riverryder]

@Roosky01 i think the same thing looks like its missing something!

@v6toy4x wow! i wasnt sure of the orange and purple. but now that its out in the sunlight holy crap! looks super good! CONGRATS! i really like the wheels too!

 

[v6toy4x]

@Roosky01 i think the same thing looks like its missing something!

@v6toy4x wow! i wasnt sure of the orange and purple. but now that its out in the sunlight holy crap! looks super good! CONGRATS! i really like the wheels too!

Thank you, the purple just never showed up in any of the pics until it got in the sun, I was hoping I didn't pick too dark of purple, but I am happy.
As far as windshield I just started playing in paint! un fortunately they are a long lead time so no matter it wont be this season.

 

[Riverryder]

i had suggested it before interior was done.

how was the water test? enough motor? i remember reading you were goin back an forth on motor. was it everything you wished for? have you rode in a similar boat before?

 

[v6toy4x]

i had suggested it before interior was done.

how was the water test? enough motor? i remember reading you were goin back an forth on motor. was it everything you wished for? have you rode in a similar boat before?

the biggest thing I am afraid of on the windshield is whether it will change the look of the top edge of the boat (top edge of the purple). Right now it flows up and then down and if the black was a windshield the top line just straightens out. If I add a windshield on top of the black now the top line just keeps going up to a point at the front of the windshield and then back down. I don't think I would like that? its that "curve" of the top line that makes it look so good to me IMO???

As far as water test,
-extremely happy in ride quality, had a fair bit of wind and some choppy conditions.
-It turns hard into turns especially once the inside sponson digs in,
-gets on plane effortlessly, and stays on plane, tabs were probably a waste of money, should have bought the windshield
-zero flex, we cris-crossed our own wake fairly hard
-I do have to be more cautious of backwash when coming down off throttle more than what I am used to anyway
-interior depth, seat ht. and room blows away our current 21' WTOB skier, I suppose that goes without saying.
-I love the swivel seat for my "robust" size!

Motor choice,
-When you look at the price sheet, upgrading to the 520 is the hands down biggest bang in HP per dollar, by a large margin, but no SS exhaust which I wanted. the 540 was only a 5K bump at the time and got the SS pipes and is what I ordered, then Merc discontinued the 540 at which point I was having a hard time going back down to the 520 so the 565 was the only choice however its $/HP increase over the base 6.2 350HP is quite a bit higher than the 520. but you get shiny exhaust and pretty pulleys!!!-this whole deal has been the most irresponsible financial decision I have ever made to be honest! BUT I am very happy I chose it. Better to have and not need than need (want!) and not have.
-Acceleration was more than enough and top speed is enough for bragging rights in my "crew" but faster than I would run it on any consistent basis, ESPECIALLY without a windshield
-cock pit noise was surprising, the exhaust under the swim step so far apparently helps push the majority of exhaust noise out back so you can have a conversation while under power yet when you are outside it sounds like it should!!!

I have not ridden in anything close to these modern hot rods! so my baseline for comparison is zero.

my initial goals were
-all around boat we can haul our friends, get on and off easily as we age, pull kids/grand kids on toys, look good, sound bitchin and go faster than I need!
-more room and deeper free board, while not being to big and tall to handle in another 5-10 years
-no porpoising, current boat NEEDS tabs and it is irritating as hell
-significant increase in fuel range, current boat was dual 20 gal tanks and the inefficiency of the jet on a carb'd 502
-quality so it can be the last one!

I seriously looked at
-shockwave 22 (placecraft)
-tahiti 23 (place craft)
-ultra shadow 23
-dominator 22
-nordic 26
-interceptor 26

taking $$ out of the decision the 255 won hands down IMO of course

 

[Riverryder]

@v6toy4x i get what your sayin about the color scheme. my suggestion would be get some orange and purple that the bass of the windshield to try and break the black gel and the windshield from one another.


don't worry about what you could and could have done its rdp we always have better ideas then the person posting hahaha.

congrats that thing is so awesome! i cant wait to see the pictures and your impression on it in the summer with a couple times of use.

 

[v6toy4x]

@v6toy4x i get what your sayin about the color scheme. my suggestion would be get some orange and purple that the bass of the windshield to try and break the black gel and the windshield from one another.


don't worry about what you could and could have done its rdp we always have better ideas then the person posting hahaha.

congrats that thing is so awesome! i cant wait to see the pictures and your impression on it in the summer with a couple times of use.

Thanks, if it wasn't for RDP I may have had a gel scheme that looked like a light show from an 80s rock concert!

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

@v6toy4x be different as you have already done with a Howard(its not white/blue).

I know I'll get chastised for this but..


Purple lexan for the windshield would look badass!

 

[Riverryder]

@JUSTWANNARACE hahahhahaahhah

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

@JUSTWANNARACE hahahhahaahhah

Like I said I will get chastised and people will laugh at me. But I honestly think that would look bitchin to do a dark purple..

 

[Riverryder]

Like I said I will get chastised and people will laugh at me. But I honestly think that would look bitchin to do a dark purple..

i hear you man. i think it would look nice but. you have to think resale? i think adding a strip of orange an purple at the very bottom oh smoked glass would look the best and not be to much over the top.

 

[HNL2LHC]

Thanks for the update. Each time it is brought to the top I have to go read it once again.

 

[v6toy4x]

@v6toy4x be different as you have already done with a Howard(its not white/blue)

I really liked the blues and silvers but you are right. When I walked in the shop the first time thats all I saw. Blue and Silver

From our current boat we already had purple chairs, ez up, swim trunks, towels, bottle or two of crown—-you get the picture!

After the water test I casually mentioned to my wife “maybe we needed orange accessories?”“if looks could kill!”

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

I think those colors look fantastic. Nice ride, congrats!

 

[v6toy4x]

I think those colors look fantastic. Nice ride, congrats!

Thanks, I am beyond happy on how it looks in the sun light, I wasn't so sure when it came out of the mold.

Just need to get the flooring done!

 

[Riverrun]

Thanks, I am beyond happy on how it looks in the sun light, I wasn't so sure when it came out of the mold.

Just need to get the flooring done!

We were down at Howard today finalizing the design for our 255. Saw your boat and it looked amazing. Love the triple axle trailer, we are going to follow your lead with that. Your boat looked really great, I could only imagine how good it looks out in the sun.

 

[v6toy4x]

We were down at Howard today finalizing the design for our 255. Saw your boat and it looked amazing. Love the triple axle trailer, we are going to follow your lead with that. Your boat looked really great, I could only imagine how good it looks out in the sun.

Congrats!
I think it "needs" the triple axle
Since that is the first thing the wife asks
"do you need it or just want it?"

Be sure to post your build!

 

[DILLIGAF]

Great looking boat and congrats!

 

[v6toy4x]

Great looking boat and congrats!

Thank you, I haven't been this excited since I thought I was getting a red rider BB gun for Christmas

Although there was the first time I rounded third headed for home!!!!!!!! to be young again!

 

[Riverrun]

Congrats!
I think it "needs" the triple axle
Since that is the first thing the wife asks
"do you need it or just want it?"

Be sure to post your build!

will do! I’m going to start a thread. Signed off on the design today. Hope she gets in the mold quickly!

 

[v6toy4x]

Hope she gets in the mold quickly!

Cant rush perfection! I didnt look at it as months but boating seasons, It took one season once it hit the mold.
You'll be boating in it next season

 

[MeCasa16]

@v6toy4x Your boat came out amazing. Absolutely beautiful in the sun. We definitely love ours. You won’t need the tabs at all, we only use ours to manipulate the wake when towing. You’re going to have to look into some expensive props if you want to hit 90, but I’m sure it could be done. We are in the low 80’s with just the 2 of us and mostly full fuel. That’s on the Bravo 28 we got with the boat. It was the only prop available at the time. The handling of the boat is incredible and it’s so enjoyable to drive. Can’t wait to see more pics.

 

[v6toy4x]

@v6toy4x Your boat came out amazing. Absolutely beautiful in the sun. We definitely love ours. You won’t need the tabs at all, we only use ours to manipulate the wake when towing. You’re going to have to look into some expensive props if you want to hit 90, but I’m sure it could be done. We are in the low 80’s with just the 2 of us and mostly full fuel. That’s on the Bravo 28 we got with the boat. It was the only prop available at the time. The handling of the boat is incredible and it’s so enjoyable to drive. Can’t wait to see more pics.

WOW, thank you, dont think I will be doing the whole prop thing, we will take what it gives us, no real "need" for that much speed anymore. I am going to have to join your face book page if I didnt already! Enjoy your summer.

 

[v6toy4x]

Sorry for continuing to post despite no real updates but this video really shows the colors in the sunlight

 

[legend14]

Heading into rigging it sounds like, Mike sent an email verifying the changes to the dash layout.
I had to pause before responding wasn't sure how much to say about Gene, at some point you wish people would just stop bringing it up???

Anyway here are the changes we are making.

7 switch recessed panel as opposed to 6 for future doodads, relocated to the side
Livorsi tabs w/under water lights to get the electronic indicators, located at the original switch panel location
"joystick" tab switches located just below the tab indicators
2 switch recessed panel for future at the original tab switch location

View attachment 1061922

What do you use the joy stick controls for?

 

[v6toy4x]

What do you use the joy stick controls for?

Those are for the tabs, which this boat probably does not need.

 

[NicPaus]

Looks great!

 

[v6toy4x]

Looks great!

Thank You!!

 

[the510]

Sorry for continuing to post despite no real updates but this video really shows the colors in the sunlight

OMG I think this is my new favorite!! plus the wheels on the trailer!! i am mesh guy

 

[v6toy4x]

OMG I think this is my new favorite!! plus the wheels on the trailer!! i am mesh guy

Thx, I agree its our new favorite too!! just need to get the gator-step installed and bring it home.

 

[Supercup]

Looks awesome - enjoy!

 

[v6toy4x]

ITS HOME!

As most say Mike did a fantastic job beyond our expectations.
It wont hit the water until this weekend but I did sit in it, drink a beer and make VROOM VROOM noises!

 

[Roosky01]

The boat is absolutely beautiful! Screw waiting till the weekend and just launch it in the neighbors pool!

Hate to ask you this, but might you have any loot left to upgrade the tow unit?

 

[v6toy4x]

The boat is absolutely beautiful! Screw waiting till the weekend and just launch it in the neighbors pool!

Hate to ask you this, but might you have any loot left to upgrade the tow unit?

Hellcat Durango! Just need to get it past the wifey--small detail!

 

[Riverryder]

Hate to ask you this, but might you have any loot left to upgrade the tow unit?

if it gets the boat too and from the water who cares what hes driving haha


you must do something thats really important to not take a day off to enjoy the brand new boat. if you need someone to enjoy it until you find time. i can drive up and get it from you and use it until you find time. sad to see it not gettin used...

 

[v6toy4x]

if it gets the boat too and from the water who cares what hes driving haha


you must do something thats really important to not take a day off to enjoy the brand new boat. if you need someone to enjoy it until you find time. i can drive up and get it from you and use it until you find time. sad to see it not gettin used...

traveling out of state for a funeral, life goes on no matter what sometimes.
I will leave the key under the matt

 

[Skinny Tire AH]

Came out amazing. So happy for you.