24' Pantera vs. 24' SuperBoat
#141
Platinum Member
![](https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/images/icons/platinum_member_star.gif)
#142
#143
Platinum Member
![](https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/images/icons/platinum_member_star.gif)
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Here’s an observation for you – keeping in mind that it’s not at all apples to apples. I recently had to deliver a 26’ Crownline about 20 miles down the lake from the marina I work at. This particular boat is about 6 years old and is powered by a bone stock 502 magnum. There was a bit of a breeze and there was probably a 1’ – 1.5’ chop going. Not a bad day for a delivery and not a terrible boat to deliver. (Not as nice as the 29’ Fountain with a 525SC the week before though.)
The reason I bring this up is that I also recently drove Laster’s 24’ Progression. (Here’s where we find out what happens when you compare apples to oranges.) But, the boats were both powered by the same base engine and drive and were pretty close in length. Given where this thread has gone though, I thought I’d bring this up.
So how much different can these two boats feel? Words simply cannot describe it. The Crownline probably topped out in the mid 60’s (I don’t push customer boats to the limit unless asked or given permission) and trimming it had some effect on speed but little effect on steering feel. I mention that because it felt like somebody had injected the steering with a serious dose of Novocain into the steering. It just felt mushy and dull at all speeds and in all situations.
In Laster’s 24LD Progression, we certainly had more power due to Mr. Whipple sitting on top squeezing air and fuel into the motor. So we’ll leave that totally out. The steering felt more direct – with a good dose of that being a full Latham dual ram hydraulic system. But, the increased feel went beyond that. The shaper breaks in all of the hull surfaces lead to lightning quick responses to steering inputs. The boat tracked like it was on sharp rails – which of course it was. And, every input to steering, trim or tabs was met with an immediate, direct, tangible response.
In short, the Crownline felt pretty dull – and probably pretty safe because of it. The Progression felt like it was hard wired to your nervous system – and required some concentration to drive because of it. One could fall asleep at the wheel of the Crownline whereas the Progression made you tingle.
So, for any of you that don’t believe there’s a difference in a well made performance boat, until you drive one, you just won’t understand the difference. And on one of Lake Ontario’s average snotty days, I love the additional control, feel and performance of my Progression over the other more “average” boats. I think you’ll find the same to be true for a Pantera, a Superboat and any other number of well made performance boats.
The reason I bring this up is that I also recently drove Laster’s 24’ Progression. (Here’s where we find out what happens when you compare apples to oranges.) But, the boats were both powered by the same base engine and drive and were pretty close in length. Given where this thread has gone though, I thought I’d bring this up.
So how much different can these two boats feel? Words simply cannot describe it. The Crownline probably topped out in the mid 60’s (I don’t push customer boats to the limit unless asked or given permission) and trimming it had some effect on speed but little effect on steering feel. I mention that because it felt like somebody had injected the steering with a serious dose of Novocain into the steering. It just felt mushy and dull at all speeds and in all situations.
In Laster’s 24LD Progression, we certainly had more power due to Mr. Whipple sitting on top squeezing air and fuel into the motor. So we’ll leave that totally out. The steering felt more direct – with a good dose of that being a full Latham dual ram hydraulic system. But, the increased feel went beyond that. The shaper breaks in all of the hull surfaces lead to lightning quick responses to steering inputs. The boat tracked like it was on sharp rails – which of course it was. And, every input to steering, trim or tabs was met with an immediate, direct, tangible response.
In short, the Crownline felt pretty dull – and probably pretty safe because of it. The Progression felt like it was hard wired to your nervous system – and required some concentration to drive because of it. One could fall asleep at the wheel of the Crownline whereas the Progression made you tingle.
So, for any of you that don’t believe there’s a difference in a well made performance boat, until you drive one, you just won’t understand the difference. And on one of Lake Ontario’s average snotty days, I love the additional control, feel and performance of my Progression over the other more “average” boats. I think you’ll find the same to be true for a Pantera, a Superboat and any other number of well made performance boats.
#144
Registered
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: MA
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#145
Platinum Member
![](https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/images/icons/platinum_member_star.gif)
#146
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
![Drink](/forums/images/smilies/drink.gif)
#147
Platinum Member
![](https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/images/icons/platinum_member_star.gif)
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I hear ya brother. I had several long discussions with Marty at Diamond before we settled on how much to mess with mine. When we started to dip into modifications that would decrease reliability or time between rebuilds, I drew the line. I've been very happy - even though there was probably another 5-7 MPH available if we got silly.
#149
Registered
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Their are a lot of Race Boats that people may not know were Superboats, the following
are some that I know of.
East Coats Marine 32 Cat Joey Impressia
RC Marine 30 Tempest 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 A-Class national Champions 1993, 1994 World Champions
US Offshore Hall of Fame
The Extractor 32 Cat 2000 SBI C-Class World Champion
1998 C-Class National Champion
1993 D-Class World Champion
Extinguisher 30 Tempest, 1997, 1998,
1999 A-ClassNational Champion
19989 Rookie of the Year
Mediamaster 30 Tempest 1996 A-Class World Champion
Jaws 32 Cat 1994, 1995, 1996 P-Class National Champion
DirtyCash 30 Tempest APBA 2001 P-Class World Champion
Team SUPERBOAT 30 Y2K 2000 Manufactures Cup Winner
Eddie Simmons
SuperboatUSA.com
are some that I know of.
East Coats Marine 32 Cat Joey Impressia
RC Marine 30 Tempest 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 A-Class national Champions 1993, 1994 World Champions
US Offshore Hall of Fame
The Extractor 32 Cat 2000 SBI C-Class World Champion
1998 C-Class National Champion
1993 D-Class World Champion
Extinguisher 30 Tempest, 1997, 1998,
1999 A-ClassNational Champion
19989 Rookie of the Year
Mediamaster 30 Tempest 1996 A-Class World Champion
Jaws 32 Cat 1994, 1995, 1996 P-Class National Champion
DirtyCash 30 Tempest APBA 2001 P-Class World Champion
Team SUPERBOAT 30 Y2K 2000 Manufactures Cup Winner
Eddie Simmons
SuperboatUSA.com