Advice: twin 4.3L or single 7.4

[neffy85]

I have been looking at two boats and tying to decide which one would be better for my family and I. the first is a 1993 270 weekender with single 7.4. The second is a 1989 270 amberjack with twin 4.3L.
The weekender seems to be a little (not much) cleaner, obviously newer with 100 less hrs, and has a little more of a cruiser look.
The amberjack is also clean and well cared for, has more fishing room, and although still nice looking, a little more like a fishing boat.
My question regarding the engines is which one will be more fuel efficient? We boat in Lake Erie, and would spend a lot of time trolling as well.
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Quint4]

Fuel burn probably about the same. Both power options will be fine for the boats you mentioned. I would like twins if I boated on Lake Erie (boated there last weekend...in 3 & 4 ft. waves).

 

[JohnEGraham]

Easy pick. If its windy there with strong tides or tight docking go with the duel engines. Wish i had...

 

[neffy85]

Thanks for the reply. So the fuel consumption would be about the same? I thought maybe the 4.3's would be a little better.

 

[EricW]

The 93 270 Weekender is a much smaller and lighter boat than the 89 270 Amberjack. The 93 270 has an 8'6" beam and the hull length is really only 25'. The 89 270 Amberjack has a 10' beam and is quite a bit heavier, despite the SeaRay dry weight specs.

Due to the difference in the size of the boats, the 93 270 with the 7.4 will be more fuel efficient at cruise speed. Top end & cruise speed will be higher as well.

The 93 270 WE will cruise around 3500 rpm, 30 mph, burning around 14 gph.

The 89 270 AJ will cruise around 3500 rpm, 27 mph, burning a combined total of around 18 gph.

The 7.4 and twin 4.3s do have very close fuel burn numbers when comparing them in the same boat. The 7.4 is more efficient here because it is pushing significantly less boat.

 

[HUMPH]

Twins always!

 

[neffy85]

The 93 270 Weekender is a much smaller and lighter boat than the 89 270 Amberjack. The 93 270 has an 8'6" beam and the hull length is really only 25'. The 89 270 Amberjack has a 10' beam and is quite a bit heavier, despite the SeaRay dry weight specs.

Due to the difference in the size of the boats, the 93 270 with the 7.4 will be more fuel efficient at cruise speed. Top end & cruise speed will be higher as well.

The 93 270 WE will cruise around 3500 rpm, 30 mph, burning around 14 gph.

The 89 270 AJ will cruise around 3500 rpm, 27 mph, burning a combined total of around 18 gph.

The 7.4 and twin 4.3s do have very close fuel burn numbers when comparing them in the same boat. The 7.4 is more efficient here because it is pushing significantly less boat.

Thank you EricW. This is the exact information I was looking for. Is there a website you can go for that type of information?
Question though...Sea Ray has the weekender listed at 26'8" w/o the pulpit, so by your comments, I assume that length must include the swim platform as well? Because the amberjack is listed 27'7" w/o the platform.

 

[EricW]

Yep. 93 270 is 26'8" with integrated platform, but without the pulpit. That boat has a hull length of 25'0", and is the same boat as the 89-91 250. So, the 93 270 is 2'7" shorter and 1'6" narrower than 89 270 Amberjack.

 

[Loneranger]

My 270 has a 9'2" beam so it is a different size; but I like the access to a single engine I have in such a small bilge. Maintenance costs and time are less. Where I boat i am not worried about being stranded ( you are always close to shore). Docking even in tight quarters is easy with this size boat with a single engine.

My only reason that twins would be nice would be if they provided much better planing times. My planing time with 4 adults full fuel and water is tolerable at best; put a few more people and it is infuriating.

I think your two options are more different however than just single versus twin engines.

John

 

[dbric36]

My 93 270 weekender cruised at approx 30mph at 12.5gph around 3100 rpms.

 

[Y Knot]

I've got the twin 4.3's and according to the fuel flow meters they both burn an ave of 9-10 gallons an hour at 3500 rpm and 24 knots.