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John Busch's flame-broiled Advantage 28’ Cat networks the efforts of performance boating craftsmen from California to Michigan, and the results warrant the collaboration. What began as a relatively mild-mannered, twin 7.4L stocker was transformed into a full-on lake rod after it met up with the talents of well-known power broker Tyler Crockett.
Busch, who does most of his hot-throttling on eastern waterways like Lakes Huron and St. Claire, first became aware of and impressed with the Advantage hull after becoming acquainted with the late Harry Christensen, the company founder.
Nearby Expert Marine accommodated Busch, a former APBA outboard racer, in getting his Advantage set up to suit.
The carpeted cabin includes a bed pad, portable head, and mirrors behind a slider hatch door.
After running the boat for awhile, Busch was bitten even harder by the performance bug. His home remedy for the affliction involved shipping his Advantage back to the left coast, where it would be followed by and rigged out with a set of 750-horse, Tyler Crockett blower motors. Advantage handled the installation, and Crockett flew to Havasu for a team dial-in with southern California speed shop mainstay Jim Wilkes.
The Crockett treatment began with GM 502 crate motors, studded out with Merlin heads. Internals include Crockett's private-label roller grind cam, roller rockers, and enlarged Inkenel exhaust valves. A set of modified 750 carburetors flow fuel, and the big kick is delivered by a B&M Megablower with Super-Chiller intercooler. The blowers kick down about seven pounds of boost, and thus far, the setup has proven utterly reliable.
Oiling is done through a 14-quart pan. Exhaust runs through CMI headers. The Bravo drives are fitted with low-water pickups, and they spin a set of recently installed 34” Mercury 4-blades.
“It's fast, and it accelerates like a drag car,” says Busch.
Shows you what a little teamwork can accomplish.
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