If you say that if the river and the chesapeake bay that can get rough, it would be easier with the twins instead of single especially with docking. There are several pros and cons between the 2 of them, however I wont get into details about that as I do not have any experience with the twins. However, you should take in account that with a twin, you will pay double for maintenance and so forth.

I am sure the other members will chime in with better information than mine. Good luck with your search.

 

I boat also on the Chesapeake Bay I use to have a 26 foot boat with a single engine the 29 I have now has twins I have found that I don't burn that much more fuel now than I did with the single. My through is that if a single burns 20 gallons in an hour and the twins burn 30 gallons an hour (thats what I burn) I can go the same distance in less time for about the same price maybe a little less
Good luck

 

If you look at the pure economy of twins versus a single, the savings is there but it's not quite that simple. If you were just looking at what is needed to push a hull through the water at say 30 knots, 2, 260hp engines with a total of 520hp can do the job more efficiently than one 320hp engine can. The engines don't work as hard to maintain that speed as a single big block. The same is true of a sinle 260hp in the same hull as a single 320hp. The smaller motor works harder, and uses more fuel to maintain the 30 kts.

But with twins, you now have the additional weight of 2 engines that may offset the fuel savings. Next you need to look at the drag of 2 large outdrives in the water and the effect that has on fuel economy.

Several of the boating magazines have done tests with identical boats comparing single vs twins and they have been mostly inconclusive. However, you cannot discount the safety of having that other engine. I have twins in my 340 and I still have a tow service. And BTW I'm paying $4.10/gal here on the west coast. The response time for SeaTow or TowBoat US may not be as rapid as you need it to be. Having that second engine available NOW could make a big difference in getting yourself out of trouble or experiencing a disaster.

I would always go for twins and 5.7's are cheap and easy to maintain. If you love the boat, the extra you pay to operate and maintain will be minimal.
Just my .02.

 

I have a 1997 version of this boat. With twins. My fuel burn is in the 9-11gph range; although I spend considerable time at idle throttle.

Don't let anyone kid you. . .gas isn't the factor with twins.

Maintenance is the factor. There are NO economies of scale when it comes to paid maintenance. If one engine winterization costs $300, then winterizing two engines will cost $600. If pulling one outdrive costs $200, then pulling two will cost $400. Nobody will give you a break because they are already at the boat.

Don't let anyone kid you about the "get home" factor. You look a lot better to the Admiral and crew if you limp home on one engine than if you get towed in. Just break out another round of drinks from the fridge and head back home. (and yes. . you will limp. This boat won't get on plane with one engine).

BUT, and this is a big BUT, with twin engines that means you are twice as likely to have an engine problem. So in a season or two with twins, you might not be able to leave the dock twice and may have to limp home twice. With a single you may not leave the dock once and you may have to be TOWED home once.

To me, having a little extra down time in the summer is far better than suffering the embarressment (and frustration) of getting towed home. You are less likely to do something stupid if you have an engine problem if you can simply shut it down and not aggrevate the situation. For example, Say you have an overheated engine in a channel; With twins you simply shut the hurt puppy down and motor away at 10-12mph (plowing speed). With a single, you will "push it" to get the boat to safety (or to keep the admiral calm) and make any damage worse.

Docking with Twins is FAR easier than docking with a single engine. FAR easier. Boat also will run at lower RPM with twins than with a single -> which improves both performance and engine longevity. BUT. . there is only one power steering pump. Lose the starboard engine, and steering becomes "difficult". Also, docking with only one engine that is off center is also painful.

On balance: YOU WANT TWINS

 

With twins you simply shut the hurt puppy down and motor away at 10-12mph (plowing speed).

I've never heard the term "plowing speed" before.... what is that?

 

Comsnark has given you excellent advice.

About the maintenance advice, I’d like to add something. You will have 2x the incentive to learn how to DIY (Do it yourself)

If you DIY, you get to do it twice so you will remember how to do it again next year. You can get your money back on DIY tools like a oil pump for changing oil twice as fast.

 

If you are looking for a boat nothing is cheap, BOAT MEANS, BRING OUT ANOTHER THOUSAND. Try this you get a row boat with one oar try rowing very hard. Now try it with both oars lot better and you can contol it better. All boats should have twin engines.

 

Having had both single and twins, everything above is completely true (great advice from comsnark). Unless you are making long runs (4 hours) frequently, gas is just not a primary issue. Also, don't forget the resale value of twins will be higher than that of a single so you do get *some* of your money back when you sale/trade.

Re towing...have you actually seen a boater getting towed back on a sunny, saturday afternoon in July with his wife and kids on the boat? If you have seen that look, or worse, experienced yourself, you know that towing is *not* OK and the extra $1-$2K for the other engine is a no brainer.....

Doug and I have the same advice re learning to do what you can yourself... that's where you can save some serious $$ and have some fun doing it..

 

it's a northeast thing. I think I even heard the mayor say it once. "don't go faster than plowing speed" or something like that.

 

TurtleTone,
This has no doubt been discussed somewhere here before but I missed it. I'm looking at an 03 280 with the T4.3's and wanted to know if you were happy with the performance. I've been out on the T5.0 280 but not the 4.3's. Thanks for your comments...

 

Right. Plowing speed is everything above displacement speed and below planing speed. You are basically plowing water in front of the boat. Fuel economy drops quickly . . . .

On my 280SS, the boat will begin to plow at 9mph (about 1100rpm) and will be (barely) on plane at 24-25mph (about 2600rpm). Nobody in their right mind would run in between those two points. . ..unless

(1) you are in a channel with strong current and waves. . .with one engine kaput or
(2) Far from home, with drinks going low, with one engine kaput.

 

I thought it was "ramming speed"

 

Sold. Two engines it is. Thanks, guys.

 

I have a 2000 280 SS that I have had for a year. I boat on the Potomac and the bay. PM me if you have any questions.

Love the boat and I would not have it with out the twins. Eventhough I spend a lot of time on maintenance.
:thumbsup: