Hi, Dave here" I'm new to this site. let me start by saying, "Hello Everyone"...
I have scrolled through these forums many times in the past, this is an awesome site... I have always been interested in Stingers. I have owned other boats in the past, but now I am in the process of making room for our next boat. I am torn between 4 different brands. Being a previous Chris Craft owner, I have a lot of respect and loyalty to the brand. The boats I am currently interested in are: Cigarette 28 SS, Fountain 10 meter, or Fountain Fever, Pantera 28, and obviously Chris Craft Stinger. I wish I could tow a 390, but all I have is a 1/2 ton Silverado PU. I don't think I could pull a 390 Stinger, but we have a launch ramp 1/2 mile from the house (inside the subdivision), so I usually wouldn't be pulling it far. the other things I hope to find are fuel range and reliability. I will be running between Miami and Bahamas primarily, so fuel range @ cruise speed, a strong comfortable off-shore hull and reliability is the main focus... I have tore down and re-assembled TRS drives, BW transmissions, and swapped out heads and blocks cams on previous boat's. At this point in my life I don't want to cross the point where performance/HP comes at the expense of economy and reliability. Ok that all said,,, I see the CC 260 and the 310 as 2 options for what I am wanting to do, but I have read where the 260's porpoise in mild offshore conditions and dont get a good wave rhythm, I find it hard to believe this couldn't be a simple trim issue. I have not found much info about the 310's. what would be the best hull and engine choice for my situation, and what kind of fuel range could I expect from these choices? My engine builds on prior boats have not been much over that of a stock Mercruiser specs, but I am a believer in roller cams, better carburetion, Mallory triggered MSD ignition, and better exhaust. I am not afraid to stick with TRS drives. So the recap of my question is which Hull, Engine, drive, and prop selection would you recommend to build a off-shore stinger for comfortable cruises between Bahamas, Miami, Lower key's and runs out to the Dry Tortugas (200nm round trip from Key west no fuel stops)... I am interested in what you guy's have to say... Thanks for any input ~~~~ Dave...