[ Home | Models | Carrera 257 Effect/Twin Mercury/300 Pro-Max Outboards ]
[ Carrera 257 Effect X/540 Chevy/Bravo | Carrera's Wondrous 257 Tunnel ]
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| There is considerable support for the argument that the l/O-powered 25-foot tunnel is the quintessential, modern-day lake rod. Put enough power to the right design in this displacement range, and you'll end up with a stable war machine that will run with anything you're likely to encounter in your chosen liquid jungle - and which will transform, in an instant, into a most accommodating lake chariot. It will do all of this without showing the temperamental side that plagued the lake royalty of hot boat seasons gone by, and its 25-foot displacement ensures the existence of enough fiberglass between the lumps and the load to quell the stress quotient that can plague the undersized during those late-afternoon, rough-water return trips. Carrera was one of the first explorers of this rapidly expanding hot boat market segment, and as they head into the fifth year of production of the 257 Effect X, the family-oriented performance enthusiast continues to embrace the 257 as a leader of this emerging generation of stern-drive muscleboats. Carrera's lean looks give way to a sculpted, ultracomfortable interior and the ability to fire off a big number while staying grounded in a flat, stable stance. The package is polished off with Carrera's progressive custom gelcoat and rigging.  Our own most recent indulgence in the Effect X-perience was amplified in dramatic style by a 540 tall-block Chevy rebuilt by Steve Strange (ProBoat Service Center, Riverside, California), with a resulting 600-plus horsepower (at 6,700 rpm) that gives Ohio based hotboater Bob Frederick thrills on command. The immaculately dressed Bulldog bullet ran power through a short-leg Bravo One box that was armored out with Inman pieces by Quality Performance and set up with a nose cone and shower. The setup turned a 26-inch Mercury four-blade, mounting one of the most singularly impressive performances we've seen from a naturally aspirated setup in this size class. Not only did it lock in a robust, on-command 95-mph sprint, but its rev range was inhabited by a consistent hard pull. In fact, the Effect hammered every stern-drive boat we tested in comparative acceleration - and many of them were blown. AT CLOSE RANGE Carrera veers from the traditional Cal-custom production schedule with the Effect, opting for the long-term durability and strength of fiberglass over the widely used wood at nearly every opportunity. Carrera uses wood stringers, but the 257's full fiberglass inner liner is based on a page from the methodology of the Florida-based manufacturing contingent. Snap-in carpet dresses a very effectively surfaced nonskid floor, and vinyl side panels and seating are through-bolted to fixed fiberglass bases, with integrated footrests. Offshore-level seating, executed with typical flair by the masters at Stratton, hugs five to six in plush comfort. Passengers ride deep in the boat, and there's more freeboard within than on some 25s. Between the vinyl-softened arm supports, footrests and snug feel of the seating, passengers derive comfort at speed. Carrera's glass work is exquisitely detailed inside and out and melds beautifully with the rich, intricately cut interior vinyl.  A Gaffrig single-lever shift control is packed with trim in the handle, and Gaffrig white-faced dials (including liquid speedo) are trimmed with anodized bezels and cantered neatly in the tooling to optimum driver view. For longevity's sake, a fuel pressure gauge was added to the array. A Bluewater mechanical indicator melded into the dash, which also housed trick Dana billet panels with well-marked thumb switches. A powder-coated Dana foot throttle is optional.  Cup holders are integrated into the glass framework, and lighting mounts to the seat bases. Trick Dana grab handles are within arm's length of everyone aboard. Dana also fabricated, upon request, a very cool 3/4-inch billet cutting board that stays invisible unless extended from the dash. Dana built the contingent of gorgeous exterior hardware, including fuel fills, a foot step in the flat of the gunnel, billet mounts for the gelcoated swim steps, vented transom grab handles and ski tow. Six pop-up cleats were also standard. The single-piece, painted glass motor hatch flexed quickly on hydraulic scissors hardware, revealing the source of a deep, predatory growl. Dart aluminum heads crowned the 9.5:1 motor, which ran smoothly on pump gas. Hard parts included J&E pistons, Lunati crank, Comp cam and roller lifters, Manley rods, oversized Dooley offshore pan and Stellings headers. Carrera worked abundant storage into the design, with cavernous seat-base bins, sectioned compartments in the splattercoated well, deep gunnel storage and carved-out areas below deck on both sides. Appointments below were sparing, but the installation was clean and well finished. HITS AND MISSES A solid feel throughout, under all conditions, is attributed to the sound engineering of the liner, along with tight, stout workmanship all the way through. Interior styling and comfort astound, and there's great onboard integration of fiberglass, vinyl, graphics and trick billet pieces. Detailed tooling ensures brand identity, and Carrera's gelcoat work is full-strength. The wiring routing was strong, but its appearance (black tape wrap) wasn't. Access below deck was awkward for larger passengers. PERFORMANCE This 257 took remarkable shape, under the help of some obviously talented freelance motor and setup help. It simply did everything well, from idling smoothly during long stretches of no-wake water, through planing, to cutting loose at 90 mph through chop. It handled beautifully, hitting 50 from a rolling idle in barely 10 seconds, and kicked up a radar-read unblown 95-mph top end. It cruised easily and delivered a smooth, flat, porpoise-free ride. The 257 carried nicely and cruised effortlessly at virtually any speed. It was among our drivers' favorites around the buoys and carried nicely across rough water while taking minimal spray over the bow. SPECIFICATIONS Test Conditions: Moderate Centerline Length: 25'7" Beam: 100" Bottom: Raised center pod cat w/stepped sponsons Engine/Drive: 540-ci Bulldog by Steve Strange Horsepower at Prop: 600 (est.) Ratio: 1.5:1 Prop: Merc 26" 4-blade Overall Weight: 3,700 Ibs. Base Retail Price (incl. trailer): $51,000 Standard Features: 7.4L MerCruiser/Bravo One, scissors-lift motor hatch, Dana switch panels and hardware, five gelcoat colors, 76-gallon tanks, removable cockpit, interior grab handles, three bilge pumps, fiberglass swimsteps, lighting package below deck, ice box, four pop-up cleats, ski tow, drink holders, Gaffrig single-shift throttle with trim. Options on Test Boat: 540 Chevy tall block ($22,500), custom checker paint ($950), dual hydraulic steering ($3,000), custom motor mounts ($800), half-inch fuel system ($450), foot throttle ($425), print drive with hard shafts ($2,500), gimble kit ($995), Dana battery boxes ($700), Stellings headers ($5,550), Gaffrig gauges with liquid speedo ($700), custom bow interior ($675), custom cutting board ($995), custom rig by Jack Stewart with R&R Merc parts and motor prep ($1,700), custom stereo ($4,500). Price as Tested (w/out trailer): $97,390 Top Speed (radar): 95.4 mph Builder's Estimated Speed in Optimum Conditions: 95 mph Maximum rpm: 6,700 0-30: 5.80 seconds 0-40: 8.00 seconds 0-50: 10.12 seconds 0-60:13.54seconds Speed at 2,000 rpm: 17.7 mph Speed at 3,000 rpm: 34.6 mph Speed at 4,000 rpm: 53.2 mph |
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