Hot Streak: Eliminator's 33 Daytona reached 154 mph and still had plenty left.

By Gregg Mansfield

Anyone who has run triple digits in a performance boat knows it takes plenty of real estate to get up to top speed. When Eliminator Boats delivered a 33 Daytona with the promise of a big top-end number, we started to wonder if a 2.5-mile straightaway on the Colorado River would be long enough.

Provided the catamaran got up to speed quickly, that stretch of water in Parker, Ariz., would be more than adequate. We just didn't realize how fast it would get there.

The 33-foot catamaran, with twin Teague Custom Marine 1100 EFI engines and IMCO Marine Xtreme Advantage 1000 SC drives, was an acceleration monster. In 20 seconds it rocketed to 110 mph, and only a few ticks later, it reached a top speed of 154 mph on radar.

Despite a strong crosswind on the river, the boat handled well especially at higher speeds. The acceleration was undeniable, as the power put us back in our seats even at top speeds.

At more real-world speeds, the 33 Daytona ran 30 to 50 mph in a mere 2.9 seconds. The 40-to-60-mph drill was even better, taking 2.7 seconds.

"The most impressive thing was that the boat has big, big power so it accelerates real hard and runs strong that way," said test driver John Tomlinson.

The catamaran was delivered to its owner Whipple Superchargers only a few days before our test. As a result, the company only had a short time to play with props and dial in the boat. Naturally, the custom 1,100-horsepower engines used Whipple superchargers.

Tomlinson thinks with bigger wheels (the boat had 35"-pitch Maximus propellers) and plenty of wide-open water, the 33 Daytona could top 160 mph.

Not that the boat's owner plans to run it that fast. Instead, Whipple wanted a poker-run boat that cruised comfortably at 120 mph. At that speed, the engines were turning 4,500 rpm.

In the engine compartment, the builder did some impressive custom work. Taking cues from the cat's stunning red, black, silver and gray graphics, the engine compartment was done in red. Oil coolers were painted candy apple red to match the anodizing on the engines and the batteries were tucked under a carbon-fiber panel with the Whipple logo.

The driver's spot at starboard featured large Pro-Comp Marine gauges from Auto Meter and a GPS screen was to the left of the wheel. The helm included full hydraulic steering from IMCO Marine. Quarter-canopies did an excellent job keeping wind out of the tester's faces, but their view through the glass was slightly distorted.

Controls for the stereo system were in front of the co-pilot. The stereo was protected by a billet case with the Whipple logo and the speakers had custom-built grilles.

Under the deck, Eliminator made the small space functional with a V-berth and facing lounges. The spot was good for getting out of the sun or stashing some gear.

Eliminator delivered a huge top-end number, in fact it was the fastest boat in this year's 100-mph roundup. Plenty of boats go fast, but few get there.

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