Mod VP

[Mototrig]

These are without a doubt my all time favorite boats. They're fast, they float on air and they're total sleepers to the unsuspecting.
I grew up riding in a Stoker SST with the Evenrude 235, it hailed the mail and was stable at 80 or so.
When the right one comes along I'll make my purchase. But lately I've been paying more attention to the Laveycraft (SEbring I believe). Who has owned a Laveycraft Mod VP (outboards please)? How do they compare to the Stoker's and Baker's? Pro's and Cons?

I'd really like a direct injected 200/250 (Optimax preferably or E-tec) clamped to the transom mainly for fuel economy. The majority are equipped with Blackmax 150-200 which are great IMO and may be what I will have to eventually run with when I'm ready to purchase.


Here's some boating content for fun

When I was younger I used to go into John's Custom Marine (Stoker) and talk with John about his setup on the showroom floor.
When I moved back to California after the military and was ready to buy, Stoker had closed up shop. I was devastated to say the least.

 

[Bullet28]

I had a Lavey Craft Mod V Sebring with a big block, I want to say it was 23’ long. Ran 70 all day the only boat I truly regret selling.

 

[STV_Keith]

Consider the Merc "XS" series engines for good economy with power. I love my STV...won't be getting rid of that one. 2.5/260 power though.

 

[RodnJen]

Always liked the Sebring. I rode in a Saber once, scared the shit out of me. It rode and handled great.

 

[Moabifam5]

I had an Avenger with a 200 XS and my son now owns same year same boat with a built 260. Avengers are a little heavier but his will run mid 90's and is really stable. I'm hoping to get another in the next year or so. Still the most fun driving I have had. good luck!

 

[Mototrig]

Consider the Merc "XS" series engines for good economy with power. I love my STV...won't be getting rid of that one. 2.5/260 power though.

Amazing boat! The STV is a bucket list item for me to own later in life. As for the Merc XS, if I'm not mistaken isn't that part of the optimax group? 225xs and 250xs come to mind.

 

[lbhsbz]

I have a Lavey 18'10" mod VP. The sebring was a larger boat that came a bit later I believe.

I've only had mine for a few years, but it is a very good boat. Mine is a fairly heavy layup I think and its rock solid....no flex at all. I put a transom in it...probably about twice or 3 times as stout as it was originally, and that likely contributes. Mine runs a bit over 80 with an old 200hp merc and turns like a slot car. I've never driven a stoker or Baker or I can't really compare.

 

[gqchris]

You know I have a soft spot in my heart for some MOD VP's! I love my boat and its like no other experience in boating I have enjoyed. My Baker turns like a sports car. The mid range acceleration is crazy good. Yes, its a smaller free board boat and you sit on the tunnels, but that is what puckers your ass when you are doing 90+ down the lake!

 

[SKIA36]

Stoker

 

[Mototrig]

You know I have a soft spot in my heart for some MOD VP's! I love my boat and its like no other experience in boating I have enjoyed. My Baker turns like a sports car. The mid range acceleration is crazy good. Yes, its a smaller free board boat and you sit on the tunnels, but that is what puckers your ass when you are doing 90+ down the lake!

View attachment 884058

That's a sexxy bitch right there!!

 

[Flying_Lavey]

My uncle has the first Sebring 20.2 made. Has a '86 Merc 200 on it. In the right conditions it'll touch 80. Runs great, rides well, and built very well. If you don't want to haul ass and just take some people with you, we may or may not have had about 12 or so in my uncle's a couple few times. It's a closed bow.

Keep in mind, I would not suggest an open now mod-vp outboard. They just really can't carry the extra weight up there very well. Also I've been told by a couple who have had both that the 20.8 (second generation) Sebring does run a bit better than the 20.2 (1st generation)

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Tapatalk

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

I raced a GMT for several years and used it for morning breakfast runs when I wasn’t racing, great boats.

 

[Bowtiepower00]

Had a Lavey Sebring 22’ 10” for a bit. It was a ‘89. Wife hated it because it was “old” Awesome boat. Would love to own another someday. Does anyone know if they still have the molds?

 

[guest hs]

I owned an 86 Sleek Craft 21 Diplomat mod vp it had a 260 HP Mercruiser it ran 60 mph stock and I swear it was the most stable best riding safest boat I have ever owned in that size range wish my Cole had tunnels cut into it like the Sleek.

 

[RitcheyRch]

This thread makes me miss my 20.1 Stoker.

 

[gqchris]

Now that Mercury has absorbed BRP, there are no longer 2 strokes being made. This puts our boats in Jeopardy because there are no longer light, fast outboards being made for the Mod VP's and I can see our boats becoming more rare and rare as motors start dying. I know my boat would NOT like a 500lb 4 stroke on back.

 

[530RL]

I owned an 86 Sleek Craft 21 Diplomat mod vp it had a 260 HP Mercruiser it ran 60 mph stock and I swear it was the most stable best riding safest boat I have ever owned in that size range wish my Cole had tunnels cut into it like the Sleek.

Like this?

 

[gqchris]

That's a sexxy bitch right there!!

Like a Lobster sir, all the meat in the tail!

 

[guest hs]

Like this?

View attachment 884153 View attachment 884154

Yup just like that. This was a pic someone sent me of it recently I haven’t owned for over 25 years

 

[GETBOATS]

Never was one to run with the pack, so I did it different, raced Sleeks in the 80's, this one was no different, awesome in all respects.

 

[Hydroman55]

 

[stoker2001]

Its an addiction with a sickness especially with a pucker factor of 120mph in the "pisspot"

 

[77 SLEEK]

Like this?

View attachment 884153 View attachment 884154

Like this?

View attachment 884153 View attachment 884154

My 1ST boat was a Sleekcraft Diplomat bought it in 1984 loved that boat.

 

[77 SLEEK]

My Aristocrat

 

[TOBTEK]

HAD a 18.10 lavey Sebring with a 2.5.... surprised more then a few unsuspecting other boaters with it. Quick little boat. Brother still has a 20.? Lavey with a 300 bolted to the back...… Hard to beat for the coin.

 

[franky]

Sleek SST was a very stable boat. 2nd in div, 3rd overall Parker 300

 

[GETBOATS]

We raced a little Lavey in 1985 with a 2.6 Johnson, fast, but very unforgiving in corners. The owner of Lavey at the time was Dale Clark, the boat was in its early development stages, thinking we had the second one from the mold. Boat made the cover of Speed and Spray in 1985. Don't know where Dale is today

 

[SoCalDave]

My old 82 Raysoncraft. Originally rigged with a 225 blackmax. Sold it to Kyle at WOT Marine in 2010 and he took it to the next level.
That was a fun/fast boat.

before

After Kyle finished it.

 

[white tortilla]

 

[GETBOATS]

The early Sleek 20 SST were built with way to much rocker in the center pod, in and around 1987 Sleek started playing with straitening the bottom out and adding some running strakes to the outside sponsons. It worked. I actually have one today I storage, built by Conquest in Havasu 1996 maybe. I didn't have it at the time of modification of the white 147. back in 2012, I turned that boat over, got out the angle grinder, cut the center pod up with the ides of removing the rocker, took about a year of testing to get where it ran like is does now. Best handling boat I've ever driven....

 

[lbhsbz]

We raced a little Lavey in 1985 with a 2.6 Johnson, fast, but very unforgiving in corners. The owner of Lavey at the time was Dale Clark, the boat was in its early development stages, thinking we had the second one from the mold. Boat made the cover of Speed and Spray in 1985. Don't know where Dale is today

Was it red?

 

[franky]

The early Sleek 20 SST were built with way to much rocker in the center pod, in and around 1987 Sleek started playing with straitening the bottom out and adding some running strakes to the outside sponsons. It worked. I actually have one today I storage, built by Conquest in Havasu 1996 maybe. I didn't have it at the time of modification of the white 147. back in 2012, I turned that boat over, got out the angle grinder, cut the center pod up with the ides of removing the rocker, took about a year of testing to get where it ran like is does now. Best handling boat I've ever driven....

Are you talking about two different boats here?

 

[twocents]

You asked about Dale Clark, one-time owner of Lavey Craft in the 1980s. I believe Dale died at an airshow while doing aerobatics some years ago.

 

[Bullet28]

I’m going to try and find some pics and post up of my old Lavey Craft.

 

[LazyLavey]

Loved my Sebring.... wish I could find it... a friend saw it in a Havasu boat dealer about 15 years ago

Had an '85 Rude 235 we affectionately named "Ollie The Outboard Dragonfly" (spinoff from the Rescuers "Evinrude The Outboard Dragon Fly")

In perfect conditions (slight wind chop, into the wind and Coolchange in the back seat) it ran a legit 80.. otherwise not near that, but a great slalom ski boat

 

[mbrown2]

The Mirage is a fun Mod VP...

 

[gqchris]

Damn guys all these posts are making me itch to go run mine ASAP!

 

[GETBOATS]

You asked about Dale Clark, one-time owner of Lavey Craft in the 1980s. I believe Dale died at an airshow while doing aerobatics some years ago.

In April of 1987, Dale flew down in his T-41??? single engine world war II fighter, landed is Carlsbad. We went for a ride around Palomar mtn, dive bombing hikers and the 4 by guys, flew a lot of it with the canopy open, It really got my attention when we rolled over and flew up side down following hwy 15, and yes the caopy was open at the time. was sick for the rest of the day..lol

 

[GETBOATS]

Are you talking about two different boats here?

yes two different boats, white Sleek 147 Yamaha Parker winner and an extra I've had, thinking we'd run two boats boats in 2016, the Sleek built by Conquest Istill have, its got the latest generation bottom, like the ones we ran in 1987-88

 

[GETBOATS]

 

[franky]

yes two different boats, white Sleek 147 Yamaha Parker winner and an extra I've had, thinking we'd run two boats boats in 2016, the Sleek built by Conquest Istill have, its got the latest generation bottom, like the ones we ran in 1987-88

I would really like to check out that boat and see the changes you discussed.

 

[Backlash]

Never was one to run with the pack, so I did it different, raced Sleeks in the 80's, this one was no different, awesome in all respects. View attachment 884171

Can you post up more pics of this one Getboats??? Any interior transom/rigging photos?? Just interested what you did to help support the weight of the motor.

 

[GETBOATS]

 

[guest hs]

Those Sleek SST bulls are really bitchen looking one of my favorites!

 

[GETBOATS]

Can you post up more pics of this one Getboats??? Any interior transom/rigging photos?? Just interested what you did to help support the weight of the motor.

1985 sleekcraft 20 sst transom replacement - Page 2

Hi S & F, bought this 20 sleekcraft sst a month ago, it has been sitting outside for quite some time. Interior was gone and floor had been cut out. Was not planning on a floor anyway. As things turn out, transom is 100% rotten, so the project just got bigger. After some research and reading...

www.screamandfly.com

 

[GETBOATS]

I would really like to check out that boat and see the changes you discussed.

Let me clarify for ya, Yes its the same old boat. Bought the poor rotten thing from a past mod vp partner Ron Hill in summer of 2012. Had no intention of racing the Parker Enduro again, did all that in the 80's. Put a year into it as the thread shows, waaaay more work than it originally looked like, but so often the way it goes. Ran it the first time at lake Irvine in Sept. 2013, whoa, it was not good, nose would start to draw ever increasing circles at about 75 mph. Greg Foster got in it and got rite out, figured if he can't make it behave it not going to. Turn it back over and more work to the center pod, added tunnel tabs 1/8 up, solid motor mounts, shifted the balance point and boat ran 91 with a Hill marine 32 cleaver 5 blade. Hmmmm, enduro is a week away, might as well enter and see how it goes. Boat did well after we got past a failed Optima battery, had fun, so planned on the next year. The next year brought more balance shifting, fixed a few weak spots in hull to bulk head joints, put 2 inline seats in it and pleasure boated, testing on Mondays at Parker. Simon computer flash in 2015 and now we had a real competitor running a consistent 101-102. The following years produced division wins, and a real strong third behind 34 and 48. My confidence in the boat and the change in bottom design grew enabling me to attack the 180's at each end on the inside and hang it out in the straights. Preparation the 2017-2018 with not much change. just seat time, lots of it. Took the checkered flag in both 2017 and 2018 with a technical flaw that took the win away in 2017, seems you can't fill up Parker at the 89 pump because its got ethanol in it, but that's another story. To back up a little, I lost my co-driver in 2015, so I've run it alone since. Able to do this because of our program that has been developed by my two engineer sons and racers themselves. You see I don't even touch the boat during race weekend other than driving it, allowing me to completely focus on my job of getting it done quickly and above all safely. Our program specifies 15 different jobs during the right down to filming our pit stops. So efficient, I've got time to walk off the pain, eat something, lots of water and then sit in the water for the 11 minutes to expire. It has been a absolute blast with my family and friends, meet some really great people, rekindled some decades old friendships and kept the deck dry much to my wife's pleasure.

 

[Uncle Dave]

These are without a doubt my all time favorite boats. They're fast, they float on air and they're total sleepers to the unsuspecting.
I grew up riding in a Stoker SST with the Evenrude 235, it hailed the mail and was stable at 80 or so.
When the right one comes along I'll make my purchase. But lately I've been paying more attention to the Laveycraft (SEbring I believe). Who has owned a Laveycraft Mod VP (outboards please)? How do they compare to the Stoker's and Baker's? Pro's and Cons?

I'd really like a direct injected 200/250 (Optimax preferably or E-tec) clamped to the transom mainly for fuel economy. The majority are equipped with Blackmax 150-200 which are great IMO and may be what I will have to eventually run with when I'm ready to purchase.


Here's some boating content for fun

When I was younger I used to go into John's Custom Marine (Stoker) and talk with John about his setup on the showroom floor.
When I moved back to California after the military and was ready to buy, Stoker had closed up shop. I was devastated to say the least.

I shot that. Not my music, but my shot. That was Mark Millers boat with a 150.

Ive got a 20.8 and it ran 90 with a 500HP 406 peeps and fuel

Every person that rode with me or drove needed surgery to get the smile of their faces.

Watch the whole ride if you want, but the audio in the last few seconds kid of tell it all It basically a cruise around Lake Hogan with a few sustained blasts of speed.

( Everyone knew where the safety gear was before we took off )

" HOLY SHIT" from the dude

" Oh my God" from the hot chick in back.

 

[Hydroman55]

The day I finished my Taylor up 1977 at Puddingstone boat was way ahead of the Mod VP craze. Very early example of west coast Mod VP raced in APBA V Pleasure (pre dated Mod VP class).

 

[Demoman]

Makes me smile every time out!!

 

[retaocleg]

when I was 20 I worked at conquest and built a 20 sst jet, great boat...……….and when I got older I had a 22'-10" lavey seabring with a blown big block...…...it was fast, but wow!, bow steer issues if you didn't keep the nose up...…..go straight, real fast, and sober...…….but it was real fast