17' Sleekcraft setback pump?

**G-Body** · 03-25-2008, 10:03 PM

I just picked up a 17' sleekcraft hull and I am deciding if I should pop the intake out and do a setback conversion. Has anyone ever done one on this boat? How did it affect the ride/handling? I have heard that some boats like the setback and others do not like it.

I have not decided what I am doing for power yet. I know its going to be a SBC, but I have not decided if I am going to toss in one of the ones that I have laying around for this summer or if I am going to try and put one together before boating season. Either way eventually the boat will have at least a 350-400hp motor in it. I am planning on running a A impeller.

I figure if I did a setback I would gain some interior room, I could get the cleanout far enough back to put it outside the boat, and if I gain some speed even better. I just don`t want to do it if it is going to make the boat handle poorly.

**Brendellajet** · 03-26-2008, 10:22 PM

If you are only going to put 350-400 hp in it I dont think I would bother. Speed doesn't seem to be your goal at that point and the setback requires some work & money(shoe & rideplate). If you want to go fast go BBC. You would gain some interior space with the setback, but depending on where the intake is now, It may or may not be a lot.

**G-Body** · 03-27-2008, 10:29 PM

Speed is not my main goal, but I don`t see the setback costing a lot of $$, just time. Its not something that I would farm out, I would do it myself, I also don`t have a problem fabbing my own rideplate, it would just be the shoe that I would need to buy. Right now it has the standard berkeley install with the cast aluminum transom cover, and if I do the setback I was planning to push it back as far as I could without busting through the transom (I heard that is a big source of leaks and is not worth it on a lakeboat) The handhole would end up about half inside and half out of the boat. I don`t see the need for a BBC as its only a 17` and I can make as much power as I need with a SBC. I`m shooting for a top end in the 70`s and if the SBC does not get it there I`ll probably add a shot of nitrous for those times when it needs a little more.

**Brendellajet** · 03-30-2008, 02:43 PM

for an sbc to get a jet like yours into the 70s it would have to be pretty stout, 400 hp isn't stout. Getting a jet into the high 70's isn't hard, but giving up cubic inches makes it a lot harder.

If you do the setback you should look into a custom transom adapter so you can retain use of the hand hole. If you move the pump back that far there is a good chance the stock one wont work.

**G-Body** · 03-31-2008, 09:43 PM

Yeah the transom adapter would no longer work with the setback, but thats part of the plan. I would rather have a sheet aluminum enclosure that locates the handhole outside the boat. It would make it soooo much easier to clean out the pump when weeds clog it. 3" hole inside the boat below the waterline = lots of water rushing in fast and a messy bilge. Plus fabrication isn`t a big deal for me anyway, I want to make a plate aluminum transom adapter for my dads taylor this year anyway.

**sleekcrafter** · 04-01-2008, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by G-Body

Yeah the transom adapter would no longer work with the setback, but thats part of the plan. I would rather have a sheet aluminum enclosure that locates the handhole outside the boat. It would make it soooo much easier to clean out the pump when weeds clog it. 3" hole inside the boat below the waterline = lots of water rushing in fast and a messy bilge. Plus fabrication isn`t a big deal for me anyway, I want to make a plate aluminum transom adapter for my dads taylor this year anyway.

To get the clean out, out side of the boat, you will need to bust thru the transom, with the intake, unless you fab a recess for the clean out, on your transom adapter.

**G-Body** · 04-01-2008, 10:17 PM

I was planning on putting a recess in the cover. Thats the way I am going to have to do the transom adapter on my dads taylor anyway.

Speedwise at what point does everyone think relocating the intake is worthwhile? Does it need to be a 70mph boat, and 90mph boat? before it will show a noticeable difference.

**jett** · 04-02-2008, 06:12 AM

I would set it back here is a pic of my 1976 sidewinder outboard conversion with the pump inside it ran in the sixtys.After the set back and a diet it ran in the low 70s same motor.....there no ride plate on it in this pic

**jett** · 04-02-2008, 06:22 AM

this is a 1976 hydrodyn 21 foot deck boat I/O conversion with a small block 355 -425 hp berkeley pump with a ride plate runs low 60s.I put a very long spoon bottom on this boat due to its flat bottom and it works great

**G-Body** · 04-04-2008, 09:25 PM

When you did the setback on those pumps how far back did you push it? Did you cut all the way back through the transom or did you leave a couple inches of glass intact?

I was considering setting it back until the cleanout was centered on the transom.

**AzEliminator** · 04-05-2008, 07:28 AM

ive got a buddy with a 450 hp small block in a 17 foot boat, with a tight berk pump...........no were close to 70

**jett** · 04-05-2008, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by AzEliminator

ive got a buddy with a 450 hp small block in a 17 foot boat, with a tight berk pump...........no were close to 70

the bottom is the key and weight ......it all comes down to weight to horse power but if the bottom is messed up it will not run fast .......we have the first 33 daytona with speed # 6's and 632 955 hp tall decks we have seen 133 mph out of it. but its a battle. the bottom is junk and the balance is off.I'm much happyer in the carbon kevlar stelth at 118 in the 1/8th its a no brainer just roll out easy and its a great ride.............................................. ..sorry greg your section is being so sidetracked

**AzEliminator** · 04-06-2008, 06:06 PM

ive personally had 3 small block jet boats, and one was around 475 hp..........and after the big blocks, the saying is true, theres no replacement for displacement.........

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17' Sleekcraft setback pump?

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