Donnie D

I am taking a trip this Friday to go inspect a real 1985 Stepp 22 Velocity. The boat has been owned by the same guy for 20 years and health is the reason he is letting the boat go. It's powered by a SBC 383 stroker engine with very low hours and has a new Gen II alpha drive on it. I have a couple of photos of the boat and she looks solid and clean as a pin. As an older fella, not much excites me anymore, but I have to say that I'm like a kid waiting for Santa.

Padraig

Good luck and hopefully you will soon be a member of the Velocity family!

Padraig

Revelocity

Donnie I was thinking that a 383 and Alpha combination would be a nice combination for you! I owned a 1985 22' with a potent 406 SBC and Alpha (not the Gen II). I was concerned about the Alpha hanging in there with the 406's high idle and torque but I never had an issue. I ran a 3 blade prop (easier on the drive) plus Steve recommended 3 blades for the 22's. Of course you need to be careful with the throttle for the drive to survive. Foot throttles work well as the single handle control isn't well positioned. Don't be concerned by gel coat spider cracks near front cleats nor small gelcoat "pops" on strakes. Steve layed them up very light and indeed you may see sunlight brightening up the cabin through the front deck! Like all old boats, the plywood parts (stringer/bulkheads/transom/sole) are your chief concern and directly reflect how carefully the boat was stored. The 22's run bigger than their length. 45 MPH was a sweet spot for my boat in 1' - 2" choppy bay conditions. I used my tabs as needed. From one older guy to another, as a sit down boat with a modestly padded seat, you'll take some hits to your back when it gets rough! Good luck!

Donnie D

From talking to the gentleman that currently owns the boat. He has done a substantial amount of work to her as he has owned the boat for 20 years. The boat has always been stored inside and it appears to be a top notch piece. I spoke to Scott McCormick this morning and he said that he remembers the boat. Now I don't know if it's even possible, but the current owner told me that he had spoken to someone that said this boat had a race deck on it and that it was laid up with Kevlar.? I know Kevlar was very costly back then and i kind of doubt that's the case, but the current owner seems to be a stand up guy so who knows. The 383 is supposed to be fairly potent at around 500HP and the boat does have a hot foot in it. From the photos I've seen. The boat has been very well cared for, and I am very excited to go and meet my new baby.

Revelocity

That's nice that the 383 fits using the stock height engine cover! Looks like the engine compartment flooring was worked on/replaced. Do ask/look at the stringers where the engine mounts. The factory only used a 1/2" plywood core for the stringer, so with 500 HP they need to be in very good shape. Could be a Kevlar deck - I heard the same thing about mine.

RSCHAP1

Looks nice !!

Donnie D

That Weiand Team G sit fairly low as far as single plain intakes go. If it were a Victor Jr or a Bowtie intake. That hatch wouldn't be closing without some modifications. The guy told me that he has gone completely through the boat. The transom and floors. A complete new drive and the engine is supposed to be fresh. All that I have see so far looks very promising. Of course I''ll know more once I can lay my eyes on her and do a little investigative work. Trust me...I'll look her over very long and hard.

Revelocity

Sounds like you have a good plan and it's great that the structural stuff has been attended to. They're very straightforward boats otherwise and easy to work on. There a removable front engine compartment panel and the rear seat hinges forward so you can looks at its wood. If the engine seems a little too radical like my 406 was (1,150 RPM idle/very difficult docking), I was able to easily detune with AirGap RPM and the Comp Cam recommendation to get a much friendly boat with little performance drop off. Best of luck.

Donnie D

The guy sent me a video and the boat has a pretty much stock sound to it. No cam shaft thumpity thump. It idles at 800 RPM yet the guy says it dynoed at 500HP. We will find out everything come thursday.

Revelocity

Donnie - how did Thursday's visit go? Moving forward with Pure Energy?