SleekCraft Ambassador

[fatalbert]

I am looking at a 1978 SleekCraft Ambassador, 26', 300 HP Vortec, I/O. I don't seem to come across many of these. If anyone can offer an opinion as to the general qality of this model, I would greatly appreciate it.<br /><br />thank you in advance

 

[Cams26SleekCraft]

Re: SleekCraft Ambassador

I just purchased a 79 26' Sleekcraft Ambassador with a 350 myself and absolutely LOVE it! It simply glides over all of the chop as if it is glass. I do not have a speedo in mine yet and am curious how fast it goes. guessing 45ish. I'd like to get it up into the 60mph+ range though. any suggestions out there? currently has a 3 blade 14"diameter 19pitch prop. I want to switch to a 14"d 4 blade 22pitch stainless prop. is that the right call? Also does anyone know if the engine came with a rev limiter? it seems to peak at 4200rpm now but feels like it wants to go more. maybe it's just not getting enough fuel. My friend has an identical boat and his runs at 5200 rpm. This is a great family boat. My daughter loves the cabin area to play around in. there are only 2 downfalls to this boat but they are worth it. 1:It is a pain in the #$# to dock due to its size, 2: good luck trying to back it up without a spotter. you can't see where the back of the boat is when backing up the trailer. I've had tons of compliments on it so far. Even the fish cop said it was really nice.

 

[IVAZ]

Re: SleekCraft Ambassador

I just purchased a 79 26' Sleekcraft Ambassador with a 350 myself and absolutely LOVE it! It simply glides over all of the chop as if it is glass. I do not have a speedo in mine yet and am curious how fast it goes. guessing 45ish. I'd like to get it up into the 60mph+ range though. any suggestions out there? currently has a 3 blade 14"diameter 19pitch prop. I want to switch to a 14"d 4 blade 22pitch stainless prop. is that the right call? NOPE Also does anyone know if the engine came with a rev limiter? it seems to peak at 4200rpm now but feels like it wants to go more. maybe it's just not getting enough fuel. My friend has an identical boat and his runs at 5200 rpm. This is a great family boat. My daughter loves the cabin area to play around in. there are only 2 downfalls to this boat but they are worth it. 1:It is a pain in the #$# to dock due to its size, 2: good luck trying to back it up without a spotter. you can't see where the back of the boat is when backing up the trailer. I've had tons of compliments on it so far. Even the fish cop said it was really nice.

Your RPMS are to low, you are not propped correctly or you have a motor issue.
The only way I can see you getting into the 60's is with an extra engine, your boat is to big for one 350 to push at that speed (I would be surprised if you are even going 45mph).
You really should start your own thread to address your issues, it gets confusing with more than one person asking questions.

BTW, welcome to iboats.

 

[PowerAddict]

Re: SleekCraft Ambassador

I have an '85 amassador. Mine is a volvo 290 hp 350. They are supposed to rev to 5200, so even with a 19p prop you should see about 4600-4800 which is where I ride (i have a 19p). It seems I can run about 48, but I havn't been able to get it out with a gps to know for sure yet. Plus I still gotta play with the trim a bit.

Mine has trim tabs, and it seems that almost as soon as I put the hammer down its up on plane.

It seems these are pretty sweet boats. 26ft, but only 3500 lbs. Pretty sweet cruiser. Mine handles like a small speed boat but sith a lot more size.

Try putting it back on a trailer in the river! haha, its quite the task!

 

[ejbreeze]

Re: SleekCraft Ambassador

I have a 1884 Sleekcraft Ambassador that I am completly redoing. When I had the 350 mag my max speed was 47 mph. I'm dropping a 502 in it at 525hp. You can see my thread I started at My Sleekcraft

 

[redone4x4]

Re: SleekCraft Ambassador

i have always heard good things about them. They have been known to be slightly on the heavier side, and very stable and sound in choppy waters. I see a couple every time I go out here. I like the way they look too.

 

[slf16]

Re: SleekCraft Ambassador

350 with a small outdrive will not handle anymore speed,my 79 used to run 75 with a blown 468BB and a berkley pump,hard on your wallet,replaced it with a 100 over 454 single 850 carb turn key,not having to work on it all the time. run nice at 63 at 5400 all day.

 

[carcraze]

Re: SleekCraft Ambassador

I had a 79 up until 6 or so years ago had it for a long time. It served me well when I had it pretty well built. I bought mine with a tunnel ramed done up 429 Ford on a Jacuzzi jet drive, real hard on the wallet. Pulled the motor and jet got a donor boat with a Ford mercrusier did the transom and motor mounts, re-did the hull and interior and put a 351 W in it on the old pre Alpha drive. Running in the 300hp rage it ran along pretty well in that mid 40s and wow what a difference on the wallet, it was not much off the performance of the jet really.

Hopefully my new to me 88 Mirage will serve me as well.

Mat