Considering a repower next winter...or a bigger SR...I think I need an intervention!

270win

270win

Well-Known Member
PLATINUM Sponsor
Jul 12, 2009
1,019
Atlanta, GA
Boat Info
1991 Sea Ray 350 SunDancer
Engines
7.4 V Drives
I've been using the AJ some this spring...I think about 10 hours thus far, and I've come to several conclusions.

1.) I love the room and the ride! With 10' of beam and at probably 8500lbs loaded it's like my old 32 Wellcraft Express as far as ride quality is concerned.

2.) Even with a single 5.7, it's not exactly a fuel miser...I run it at 3000 rpm off the secondaries but it still has a pretty healthy fuel burn rate.

3.) It's friggin' SLOW...that's been okay so far but we have yet to get caught in weather or trying to outrun a summer T-storm.

With these things in mind, I'm wondering if a repower from the single 260 to either a single 454 (365hp) with a B3. Or my mechanic has been recommending converting it to twin 260s. While this sounds ridiculous, his quote to do it is not as bad as I thought it would be...but I'm sure the fuel burn would be bad...although I might actually get somewhere in exchange for the fuel burn!

-OR-

I've also thought about selling and buying an 80s 340 Sundancer. Yes, the fuel burn and speed would be bad...but it offers AC and a gen...and room. It would probably be comparable in price to what I'd have in this AJ by the time I add another engine or a 454/B3 setup as well as the extended platform I want.

So someone tell me I'm nuts...or right, or what do you think?

I do like the AJ, and I'm not looking for a speed demon, but it's big cruiser slow without the accoutrements...although I'd still run it slow most of the time, having the ability to get up and go would be nice.
 
Re: Considering a repower next winter...or a bigger SR...I think I need an interventi

IMO I believe that fuel is the cheapest cost of boating.... well with in reason. the 340 is a beast compared to your AJ.

If your looking a the 340s, and your trying to keep fuel costs in mind, what about the 340 EC? Yeah, you loose the aft cabin, but you also loose the V-drives. By going with straight in-boards, the weight is more forward helping the boat plane easier, and at a lower speed. she wont have all that weight in her bum! All of the other amenities are the same.

Keep in mind the 340 is not exactly a trailer boat, so marina or yacht club fees apply by the foot as Im sure you know

As for the AJ, big block re-power sounds like a smarter way to go. Converting to twins kind of seems like trying to re-invent the wheel.

Tom
 
Ditto to above on repower.

I wonder if you spent the dollars repowering, if you would be happy with the boat or still dreaming of a larger boat with more comforts, and then having a boat that you may have overcapitalised.


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Re: Considering a repower next winter...or a bigger SR...I think I need an interventi

why not just get a upgraded long block 350 small block,same hp as 454 and no change in the mounts.Although the b1,2,3 would also help.You still want to run the same rpm anyway just a different gear ratio in the drive.
 
Re: Considering a repower next winter...or a bigger SR...I think I need an interventi

Another little tidbit to consider is Prop pitch. I believe the pitch of the prop makes a difference in performance as well as everything mentioned above. The PO of my 268 had it repowered to a 454 / b2 and was very happy that he did it...
 
Considering a repower next winter...or a bigger SR...I think I need an interv...

There is another AJ owner on here who has made that conversion look for Cagerattler. He does a lot of fishing in the NE.

My ideal set up for this boat would be a big block with the B3 drive. I am considering a 4 blade prop this summer just to help with getting on plane with a load of people. But that is a little like throwing a deck chair off the titanic.



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Re: Considering a repower next winter...or a bigger SR...I think I need an interventi

I appreciate all of the input guys! I agree that the 2nd engine/drive setup would be costly and probably similar to reinventing the wheel. The 454 B3 is probably the most cost effective option.

The thing with the 340, is AC and a gen...plus for whatever reason I don't mind doing displacement cruising in the bigger boat. Although my family doesn't like the slow cruising. I don't know...this is a pattern with me, get a boat, car or whatever project in good shape and then sell it to move on to something else. I do miss the room we had in the cabin of the 32' Wellcraft Express we had before this boat. But I don't m,iss spending $700 on fuel on a long weekend.

I guess my thinking is, if the AJ would run a bit faster then it would be a bit more fun to drive around in. Where as the bigger boat is expected to be slow, but offers more room and comfort for overnight stays.

For me personally, I'm content riding to a cove and anchoring for a few days. My family likes riding around all day, hence the desire for a single engine boat. Perhaps the AJ with more power is still the answer.

I've seen Cagerattler's engine thread. I can't justify the cost of the 8.1 although he has a sweet ride. A 454 B3 is far more cost effective. I think that may be the next move, well at least this winter. I haven't even experimented with props on the 5.7 alpha setup, but I have a feeling that regardless of prop, it's just not enough power for this massive CC.
 
Re: Considering a repower next winter...or a bigger SR...I think I need an interventi

I have wondered about a 383 stroker in the AJ. I have a 330 now,but if I were to repower I would consider that possibilty, Little less weight and close to the same torque.
 
Re: Considering a repower next winter...or a bigger SR...I think I need an interventi

The 383 stroker is also an engine package I thought about before getting the 496 MAG.
The lighter engine may have even performed better but i think I didnt go that route because I dont think it comes with fresh water cooling which I really wanted since I'm in salt water.

I have no Idea what the older 260hp 350's with an alpha drive in the 255 AJ would perform like.
Mine had a 2003 350 MAG MPI and a Bravo 1 in it when I purchased it. That felt to slow for me!
But it had an old aluminum prop on it and I never got to try to dial in a stainless steel prop for it.
If I had, I may have like the performance better. adding the stainless mirage plus prop to the 496 was a huge performance increase.
even the 496 felt like a dog till I went stainless!! These are heavy wide boats and the aluminum flexes way to much.

The bravo also makes a big difference with the larger diameter prop. I've ofter wondered if I would get any added performance going to a B2 or B3. I think the B2 takes even a larger diameter prop.

You talked about going to twins. The single engine is the reason i went with a 255 AJ. I would have went with a 270 if I wanted twins. The added foot and a half a cabin space would be nice.

Not sure how much speed your trying to get out of your AJ but even with the 496 I usually cruise around 30 mph at about 3500 rpm's. But she does hop right up on plane and the only time i touch the trim tabs is to level out the ride. they arent needed to get on plane.

I've also thought about going to a larger boat but slower speed and higher fuel burn for a little more comfort is not what I'm looking for. I had a few day trips last year where I burned $400 in gas but that was about 170 mile round trip and trolling all day. And Ive also seen some AJ's with a generator and AC.
 
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Re: Considering a repower next winter...or a bigger SR...I think I need an interventi

My TR drive swings a big prop, but when I went to a 4 blade stainless it made a world of difference. Jumps on plane and stays on plane at lower RPM.
 
Re: Considering a repower next winter...or a bigger SR...I think I need an interventi

While I surely lack (and envy!) the technical wisdom so many on this board so graciously share with us all, perhaps I can be of service at least in terms of offering some of the intervention you suggested may be in order?

So here's at it:

An early reply stated, "IMO I believe that fuel is the cheapest cost of boating.... well with in reason."

I read that and thought, um, HUH… Am I the only one that finds spending several THOUSAND DOLLARS a season (without ever even leaving the local waters), um, in and of itself, a noteworthy family budgetary item associated with my boating-addiction?

But then I suppose, if I adopted habits such as prematurely retiring apparently perfectly running engines and out-drives, to voluntarily drop tens of thousands on elective repowering project such as you are considering...

Well than HELL YEAH! I've no doubt that fuel CAN be relegated to one of the cheapest costs of boating!
:grin:
 
Re: Considering a repower next winter...or a bigger SR...I think I need an interventi

6500steve54 said:
I have wondered about a 383 stroker in the AJ. I have a 330 now,but if I were to repower I would consider that possibilty, Little less weight and close to the same torque.
Click to expand...


+1. The 6.2 is 200 pounds lighter than the 454. I would look at an aftermarket striker before I went to a Merc. Same engine, less cost, no effing Merc raw water pump....
 
Re: Considering a repower next winter...or a bigger SR...I think I need an interventi

Here's a thought. Tear out all that Mercruiser bs inboard stuff and have an aluminium Pod /swimgrid made for the transom. Then shop around for a non-model year-current 300 -350 fourstroke outboard. Lots out there for sale,especially in Ga and Fla.Merc,Yamaha,Suzuki ,all great engines. Don't buy a Evinrude/Johnson.Big problems imo. Slap that OB on the pod and away you go. Huge weight savings ,improved swim grid and those new 4 stroke OBs get really good fuel economy. You will have lots of room for gens,storage ,even a small ,fill as you need it Hot_tub!!! That should keep everyone happy. Post pics when it's done for ultimate cool factor.
 
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