Why not more outboards on large Vs

[blkmtrfan]

As I was looking at the new Verado Pics that Greg has so kindly made available to us, I got to thinking.

Large offshore V-s set up for fishing almost always have outboards, but most of the sport deck models are I/Os, why?

I know there are a couple exceptions (powerplay and most of the long island companies), but the mainstream big Vs, fountian, donzi, wellcraft all have outboards on their fishing decks but not the sport decks.

Any theories why :confused:

It also goes in reverse the other way, all of the big mainstream fishing boats, gradys, whalers, pursuits, etc and such don't offer very many I/Os, mainly just outboards.

I guess I just want to see more performance V-s with clamp ons, anyone else?

[Scream And Fly]

Very simple reason - outboard-powered boats have more aft interior room, which is crucial in a sport fishing boat. Also, outboard powerplants weigh less than stern drive units, meaning that dual outboard installations are much more suited to that application (redundancy - a good thing to have when you're 100 miles offshore) than twin stern drives.

Finally, outboard engines are very easily replaced, and many sport fisherman put a lot of hours on their rigs.

Greg

[blkmtrfan]

That answers the fishing side, but why not more performance applications?

[Instigator]

I don't think the O/B's give that crowd enough chrome to look at or make enough nooise :eek:

[Scream And Fly]

In rough water applications, a stern drive will ALWAYS beat an outboard in the same class boat. No question.

The stern drive unit is more durable in severe conditions, it makes much more low end torque, it's reliable, and most of all, it distributes its weight much more favorably for that application.

If you take two of the same boats, one with twin outboards, and the other with a single stern drive - assuming both boats can achieve similar top speeds - the stern drive powered boat will clobber the outboard boat in the really rough stuff, while the outboard boat might have the advantage in the smooth water.

Greg

[blkmtrfan]

But now you really got me thinking, especially the

"and most of all, it distributes its weight much more favorably for that application."

I will have to digest that one for a little while ;)

[trbocharge]

Instigator hit the nail........my buddie has a 30 Velocity with twin 2.5s and built with a splashwell not a conversion....it is gorgeous....but, not an easy sell boat........the thunder of the big block chevy is what most people want.......

For me, I would go with the i/0 for a v sport boat......let me put it this way...inboard for anything 30 foot and over......sharkey on this board has an awsome 28 checkmate..........I think it runs 84 or so........funny story, he ran in a poker run in jersey last year....a bunch of big power inboard v-bottoms and combination cat inboards and outboard(outlimits/skater/spectres/fountains ect-1350 sterlings/eikerts/ect)..........a friend of mine watched the group leave the and go offshore....he then waited for them on the other side of the bay to return from the run......1st boat in was a big v-bottom inboard, as was boats 2, 3, and 4 then here comes Sharkey in his little eggbeater checkmate.......he stopped to talk to my buddie for 15 minutes......the next boat was not even in site........too funny

It also helps when you have an x-racer running a boat......

[trbocharge]

Simple rule, when its rough and maximum torque is needed, there no replacement for displacement

[sho305]

Lots of them here for lake MI where they rule. Greg explained it perfectly.

In fact I've talked to a lot of people here that are just scared of large OBs because they can't work on them, and feel real comfortable with the car motor. I wondered if they were scared of their lawn mower motor too, but to each their own.:confused: I guess one might need some special tools/knowledge for OBs; but they talked like this was their primary reason to go I/O. Others like to mod the motors since they can't afford to drive a BBC to work anymore, and of course there is a lot of stuff available for the auto motors.

[trbocharge]

sho....that is another good point

[mendo]

I personally like the redundancy of two motors. I think with the low end power that Greg says these have they may give the car motors a run for thier money:)

[GregP]

A lot of it is the limited power of outboards. Try moving a big V like an Apache and you need at least twin 750's, where can you find that power in outboards. Midnight Express runs 4 300's on their 39 and get good speed for a "fish boat", around 70, but not in the same league as the 100+ norm for the big V perf boats these days.

I've seen it referenced in boat tests a couple of times that the high power outboard boats take more driver seat time to handle than does the same boat at the same speed with an IO installation.

Personally, I'm looking to go to outboards from twin V-8's in large part because I'm tired of hanging upside down in the bilge to work on them.

-Greg

[Instigator]

Couple of yrs ago ModVee and I had the chance to run his Baja 24/25 Oulaw w/a 500 HP w/my twin O/B 24' Sonic in Lake Erie.
His motor was making 470 HP's at the prop from 8.3 liters.
Mine were making a combined 484 at the props from a combined 6 liters (plus dragging a second case through the water).
We went from about a 50 roll several times and I pulled him 4 or 5 boats every time and had 2/3 on him up top.
I also ran a HTM 24' cat with the same power from about a 40 roll and did the exact same thing. So lack of torque?? You decide.
Greg is correct on the rearward C. of G. but that's what tabs and trim is for.
I can run slight up trim w/slight down tab and run the boat on the pad at mid 70's through 2' slop. I have yet to have an I/O stay beside me doing that.
Sho makes a very valid point of the fear factor. All the car motor guys I know are afraid of two strokes only because they don't understand them.
And then they hear a story about me sawing a block in half after running it lean (whiuch they don't understand):eek:
A bonus to O/B's is also the extra space you p/u. I've had arguements with I/O guys at dock when I tell them my boat is only 24' and they swear it's 30!
They keep forgetting they lose 6' or so of cockpit space due to the motor.
My cuddy and cockpit are as big or bigger than most 30' I/O's.
trbochrg aslo makes a great point about size.
I knew when I was buying my Sonic I could'nt afford to make anything beyond about 24/25' fast enough.
It's tough to combat that much weight and drag with 2.5 or 3. liter O/B's.
I think Sharkey's 28' Checkmate (and the 30' Velocity) is about the absolute limit for twin O/B's.
As far as sound??
Give me a pair of O/B's at 7K with open exhaust any day!
One thing the I/O's can never do either is float the bow like a O/B;)
I always screw with the I/O guys when I know they're watching or waiting on me. I'll start at the far end of the lake and try to blow the thing over while I run straight for them.
Always good for a couple of comments.
Yep, I think I'll keep my O/B's:D

[Instigator]

My Sonic is way harder to drive than my Hydrostream Vector is.
it clearly is a drivers boat. I was talking with some one the other day about that in paticular.
I said yeah my boat will do it but your not just standing behind the wheel enjoying the ride!!

Also on the ease of access for maintenance. Every time I'd start to think about a twin I/O 28/30 Vee I'd take one look in the bilge and run like hell!!!
I've done all kinds of work to my O/B's in the middle of the lake.
Try that with twin I/O's in a narrow Vee:eek:

[trbocharge]

Yea, Instiagor, you mentioned the bilge compartment.....big big issue.....I can remember working on a 28 Checkmate with twin 540's.......it was unbearable to work on....I still have scars on my body from that thing......evertime we had to work on that thing I tired to talk the guy into selling the hull and putting his power in a 33 fountain or scarab........man, I hated that boat

The boat was pushing 620hp a side......it was a chine walking hobble bobbing experience, ran it to 88mph and decided I did not want to die today, the owner could only drive it to 80 and then back out.....yea, ob for that size more better...

Instigator, Ron Polli from Jersey used to have a boat just like yours, with caucasian motors on it too....I dont know if he still has it, but he loved it....great boat!

[trbocharge]

Also,

I may agree partially with instigator on the torque issue, now that I think about it........I think the issue is more of 1 propeller verses two.......I think you can give up a bit of torque total if you are comparing single screw to twin......the bite of twin screw is pretty hard to beat, and as you said from your experience you have proven true in a calm water roll on......but I think if you are running offshore and launching total torque values will reign supreme.....expecially at low rpms where the outboard falls way flat and the big blocks displacement can react more robustly with the situation.

[Instigator]

Now that's funny. Can I use it??
Absolute set up to absolute set up may be different but---
In a 24 - 25 Vee I'd still take the O/B's.
In a grunt situation thew two props may pull harder but the extra drag of the second twin at speed is huge!!
My boat has never been beaton from a roll. Never!
From about 30 up it is a monster.
One of my favorite things to do when giving an I/O guy a ride is to get it rolling about 35 - 45 and pull up the tabs, get the motors trimmed where I never touch the buttons and nail it.
In the picture I attached the boat was running 78 MPH gps with 90 gallons of gas, 3 adults ( 2over 200 lbs) with box stock motors.
It did'nt start slowing down until I started modifying things;)
I ran a guy one time in a 19' Eliminator with a small block Nascar motor and a BlackHawk drive. It was a bad ohmbre!!
Would run about one teens.
Butttt guess what? From a 40 roll I pulled him 3 or 4 boats before he caught (and destroyed) me.
I plan to do some more I/O hunting this Spring after i get the motors back together.
From the pleasure side of things I'm not sure you could keep a car motor together capabale of pushing a "full pleasure" boat this fast dependably??
No one around here can. There's plenty that are faster but not for long.
Remember too, mine is a 30+ year old hull design. An X Sonic employee told me it was taken from an old Donzi mold. The boat really does'nt have a pad!!
It's a round keel.
I saw a '73/74 Donzi for sale with twin small blocks that was identiacl to my boat.

[trbocharge]

78??!!!!!

Holy cow....that is honking....especially with all that weight......sounds like a super fun ride......I take that is in fresh water too.....

Donzi copy? It does look like it and I cant remember the name of the model.....It may be the Baron model......maybe not..

Being a merc junkie, I always respected the capabilities of the white world.........plus, its always great to clean clocks while being the white underdog........and when I see those OZ motors I start to get the shakes............and tell myself, "self, they are just a myth, they really dont exist"....LOL

:cool:

[Instigator]

yep, planning on adding a pad too. When the new motors are done and after I add the pad with everything perfect I'm shooting for 90.

the old Donzi I saw was immaculate and did looked identical (should have bought it)
All new vinyl with orginal LT-1 Corvette engines running Volvbo Duo props.
Would have loved to havbe driven it.
Was only like $14K
I've seen a couple of twin I/O 24 Sonics but I can't even imagine working on those things.
I looked fairly serios at a few I/O's and I decided that I thought the trick would be to make them as easy to pull as possible.
I figured ten mins to pull the drive and probably another 1/2 hr and you could probably have a motor out if you set it up to do this way.

[blkmtrfan]

Gary I have always liked you sonic, that is what i am talking about, sharkeys checkmate is awsome too, but I would really like to see more of this type of boat.

Especially if the 400hp rumors about the verado hold true, imagine a fairly light 30'v with 800 hp :cool:

BTW the runors is that this kryptonite goes over 100 :eek:

[Instigator]

a 33 Power Play with tripples.
Freagin awesome boat!
They make a 25 also.
I have'nt followed the Merc story enough to hear those kind of #s??

[Tripps]

I know a guy that has a old 30 velocity with 3 200's I know you guys are talking twins,but i got tripps and i would love to race anyone with i/os from a idle roll!! I've had many boats,but this one has unbelivable lowend and midrange pull,but cause the motas are stock,it has a limit on topend Tripps

[trbocharge]

I had a customer in jersey, joe ponzio, who used to have a powerplay with triple 2.5's........It ran a solid 78 with bone stock offshores....and that was 7 years ago.....

Also, Billy Gzell the offshore legend, had a 32foot Tempest back in 92.... with 4 2.4s..... that boat was heavy as hell due to the inner liner construction of the tempest......that boat ran 88.....but, man did it eat up fuel..!!!

That cryptonite looks like a gorgeous boat...any more pics??

[blkmtrfan]

Kirk form kryptonite posted that pic, there website is up and running again: http://www.kryptoniteboats.com/

I really think it is way cool too :cool:

Also am looking forward to there upcoming 23' SOB :cool:

[Racemore]

I've got to challenge the Trip OB's agaist twin Inbords.I'm sure Kirk D. can back it up but a 32 Skater with 3 2.5 os motors can not deal with their old 32 with 350 chevys and #5's I think.You can't put enough OB's on the same boat that inboard power won't destroy from the ground up.Outboards are for fishin and lake racing on smaller craft.Put Marty Logan up against Loose Cannon and the outcome will be the same as 6 300 drags on a 46 Skater against Bacardi Silver.2nd place.Don't get me wrong ,I love outboards and I'm shooting for tripples but if the funds were there uh uh uh uh uh.:cool:

[Tripps]

Racemore,not a cat,but a v with stock power!! sure a supercharged twin engine 28-32 ft boat might eat me up but a 30 scarab or formula with 400's won't outlaunch me from a idle,i've blasted the throttles from a idle and i cant beileve how this boat jumps out of the water. Hey I could be wrong,i'venever tried to do it against a i/o,but now that this subject has come up,i'll have to try it this season. I usually bring it up gradually and give it gas to cruisin speed. I don't abuse my boat cause i want to use it ,not fix it!! My friend has a 30 superboat with a 540 and Imco drive,I'll ask him to be my first test :D :D :D I hope im talking on the same subject as the orignal post and a big power,big boat when the sticks are put to the wood,they might cavitate just enough for my little 200s to get out in front for a few seconds,but ill have my earplugs in for when he goes by!!! Tripps PS I always read your posts,you know your stuff!!

[Steve Zuckerman]

There are several reasons most sportboats run I/Os.
The increased cost of DI and 4 stroke outboards has somewhat negated the price advantage that outboards once held.
The increasing efficency and reliability of I/O drives has offset the weight disadvantage of the inboard motor.
The relatively unlimited torque and horsepower now available with high cube, high tech big blocks works well with heavy offshore hulls. It takes torque to move mass.
The low, forward of transom mounted CG of an inboard, makes for better handling in rough water. Less chine walk, and less kiting in rough water.
I love outboards on light, quick race/bass/lake boats, but when it comes moving tons of fiberglass in rough water, it's hard to beat a supercharged big block I/O.
Different kinds of boats, need different kinds of motors.
Regards,
Steve ;)

[sho305]

Funny this holeshot issue comes up here. Back when I first go to playing in boats, a friend had a 24' vee. It was a scarab like hull but had a little less deadrise. With a 365 merc bbc, it ran mid 60s. I think we had the motor out 50 times before we got it over 70 with the right combo of reasonably cheap parts/cam/etc. We would have to race some other guys with identical hulls everytime we changed the motor to see what it did. After a couple of times we went out once and he says check this out, I been working on something. Racing from a dead stop, he hits the gas and the bow goes up but suddenly it cavitates and hits about 5K rpm; then it grabs and sets us back in the seat and we just blow the other guy away. Not knowing much about it yet, I ask what the heck was that? He says well, if I time it just right and hit the up trim the same time as the gas...it cavitates at the right time when the hull comes up, grabs, and we are gone. btw, he changed the LU lube about every six times we went out I think. He could beat another equal boat easily doing this.

So later on this same guy gets a 28 with BBC twins and close to the same vee, but I didn't get to ride in it for a while due to my work. Finally went out one day and raced some people, and I ask why he does not holeshot them like the other boat but just feathers the throttles...he says ahh, can't do it with this no way no how; tried all kinds of props and everything. Tells me he went to the manufaturer and investigated and they told him the drives are too high so it has better topend...that is also why it can't get up on one drive...plus twin drives are higher anyway due to not being in the center of the vee.

[Steve Zuckerman]

Guys:
I been in a lot of boat races, but never in an offshore boat drag race. That's not how these races get started, although I guess you could for sh-ts and giggles.
99% of all the big boat races I've been in or seen have been a
30 to 50 MPH staredown, and punch until somebody cries uncle.
Most guys don't slam the throttles down on their high perf/racing
I/O offshores from off plane/idle because it's just too hard on the drives, or they'll just bust the prop(s) loose.
Sanctioned offshore races start with a green flag from the pace
boat, which is always running 50ish. They are high speed long distance affairs.
Poker runs (although not supposed to be races:rolleyes: ) are all high speed, long distance events.
The one exception to this is Steve Columbe's (HTM owner/
founder, unfortunately dead from a testing accident) and IHBA's attempt to start a drag class for small single engine offshore hulls. Steve used a 1300HP I/O 24' HTM to set the fastest ET and speed I'm aware of for an "offshore" type hull. I don't have the #s handy, but I remember him running 9.50/130ish. I think this was at Firebird Lake in Phoenix, 3 or 4 years ago. Now that is one badass drag offshore I/O :eek: ! For comparison purposes to
outboard drag boats, that ET is a Pro Gas #! The speed is U/O!
I'll post a picture if I can find one.
Regards,
Steve;)

[trbocharge]

Steve,

Would really like to see pics of that boat.....

Thanks

[Instigator]

Steve, I remember that. It dropped a bunch of jaws in the go fast community especially the I/O guys due to thier history (as you stated) to breaking parts from a dig.

Also on this thread I go back to an earlier statement.
Naturally aspirated Vs naturally aspirated.
It was only a year or so ago when one of the magazines did a front page story about the first "Bravo based" drive, factory motor power'd boat to brak 100.
Believe it was an Eliminator w/twin what ever the new big blocks are.
I don't think they've done it before on factory power.
In comparrison, how many yrears ago did the 24' Skater break 100?? 198? what.
Then the 28 did it with twins, and then the 32' with tripples.
That is impressive stuff to me.

For the I/O guys I guess the force fed motors and the current technoligy that enable them to live is jst as impressive.
But again, no blower against no blower??

On the Vee's there unfortunately really is'nt many people playing with the O/B's for comparrison but I believe in the same out come.

Again on the I/O guys, I was just in a local shop that specializes in Offshore I/O motors and the owner is claiming big numbers and long hours of life but we both agreed on how many goys try it themselves and go broke trying to keep drives/motors together.

In comparrison he had his own personal 242 Checkmate w/a 650 HP naturally aspirated big block and a Bravo drive.
He claims 78-79 GPS.
My Sonic is doing that with 484 HP of factory O/B's.

[blkmtrfan]

Originally posted by Instigator
In comparrison he had his own personal 242 Checkmate w/a 650 HP naturally aspirated big block and a Bravo drive.
He claims 78-79 GPS.
My Sonic is doing that with 484 HP of factory O/B's.

That's what I am talking about ;)

[Steve Zuckerman]

Gator,
I absoloutley agree with you that if you race a whatever HP outboard offshore (say 500ish for example) to the same horsepower inboard, the outboard probably has an advantage, due it's inherently lighter weight and therefore higher
HP to weight ratio.
In other words, I think a 28' Eliminator tunnel with 2 250s would probably be faster than that same boat with a HP 525 single.
But there are mitigating issues here.
A. The inboard will handle better in rough water due to it's lower,
forward, CG. Rough water is PFC (pretty f-cking common) these days.
B. In the real world of Poker Running, and lake/ocean non-professional racing, the inboard can, and usually does have a massive HP advantage. This is not tech class racing;)...........
This is usually run what ya brung, and hope ya brung enough racing.
C. The bigger the boats get, and they sure as hell are getting bigger (35'ers are REAL common), even on freshwater Poker Run venues, the bigger the inboard high cube, high HP advantage becomes.
And regarding blowers, it's not necessary to run a blower to make a lot of HP, but it is increasingly easier, due to their increasing longevity. I have a friend that's running a 615" Merlin
single carb, naturally aspirated 28' Profile tunnel that routinely runs 110+ (Dale Francis, Somerset, KY).
This motor makes well over 800 HP naturally aspirated. I have another friend that runs a similar setup on a 22' Baja Hammer and
is GPSing 96+ MPH (Lloyd Burns, Evansville, IN).
Boats don't care where the HP comes from (mutiple motors inboard or outboard, blower motors, N20 motors, etc.), they just want LOTS of it:D !
Best Regards,
Steve;)

[Racemore]

Gator'The Pro Stock 32's with 3 -2.5's ran great but still couldn't outrun the Agitator with twin NA small blocks in race conditions.Also most all the outboards everybody is refering to a surface driven and the outdrives aren't.:cool:

[Instigator]

I'm still saying cu.in. or liter per H.P. not H.P. to H.P.
Also one of the first things I said is I think the O/B's stop working at about 24/25 due to mass as Steve said. Remember too, everytime you add another O/B you add huge drag from an additional l/u.
It is huge!!
On my Sonic I've tried it just for grins. It will not plane on one motor due to motor height/cavitation.
But if on plane and I kill a motor and pop it in neutral it feels like you hit a wall to the point that eventually the running motor starts to cavitate and your off plane before you know it.
On the other hand if I pull that 2 nd motor and go down 5 or so inches of pitch but add weight to the boat equal to the weight of the 2nd motor (455 lbs) I'd have a 45 MPH boat compared to the twin with one dead motor which won't even [lane due to l/u drag.
Steve, you know some guys that are the definately the excepton rather than the rule. I want to meet those paople cause I don't know any up here. Don't doubt you one bit, just don't see that around hre much.
Most of the guys up here do a 500 HP or something similar until they get bored then bolt on a blower and scatter it.
Harold Kunkel about an hour north of me used to be able to do it and had a I think 750 HP single 4 barrel grun motor that he used to switch from boat to boat at his Checkmate dealership.
He had a couple of 24/25's that were running very high 90's to 101/102.
20 MPH than the guy at the local shop claimed.
That's also one of the reason's I don't have a bigger Vee bottom.
It has to be O/B's:p

[Steve Zuckerman]

Guys:
Please understand that I an NOT a cheerleader for, or apologist for inboards:rolleyes: :eek: ;) ....................
I've spent 20 years sucessfully competing against them.
I'm just trying to set the record straight that offshore is not where our motors shine.
Fast on light boats....yes, reliable, of course, but when the waves
are 5' high and you're pushin' tons of fiberglass and metal through them, it's hard to beat the inboard I/O.
At least, 90% of them still say MERCURY on the drive;) :D !
Regards,
Steve;)
Once you go black, even if it's just the drive............oh well, you know the rest;)

[Scream And Fly]

I think what matters most is getting out on the water (safely, of course)!

Greg:)

[Steve Zuckerman]

and yes, the water with any kind of kicker is where it's at!
Isn't it amazing how passionate most of the people on your/our website are for boating? We might argue among ourselves, but we sure all like to Scream and Fly!
This cabin fever sh-t is getttin' OLD man:rolleyes:.............I'm glad you've got this venue for cyber boating. Time to hit the lake!
Best Regards,
Steve;)

[Racemore]

Don't get me wrong either,I can't wait to get two mercs singing that song.:D :cool:

[Instigator]

you know if you plan on attending Tony's Rumble this year you will have to mount a trolling motor on the front of your boat to be allowed through the "outboard only" gate :D

[sho305]

This would be a good time for someone to post a couple videos I can choke into my dialup....of any boating over 50mph will do...:rolleyes:

[SCT]

"The increased cost of DI and 4 stroke outboards has somewhat negated the price advantage that outboards once held.".... ...STeve Z.


That is the real reason why you don't see multiple OB set ups on offshore Vs anymore. When the Merc 200s and OMC 235s came out, they were alot of HP for the money. But I beleive the manufactures have priced the OBs out (especially the 2strokes) of this market. Especially, since the "off the shelf" superchargers have became so popular= Bolt on Power....

"Tripps" , I have a friend back in OH, that runs a 30' CMate w/ 3 Merc OBs and the name on the side of the boat is "Tripps to Win!"
It's an awsome boat. It only runs right around 80 but the boat is just balanced perfectly. Plus the sound of the OBs turns everyones heads when he nails it....

Gary, when are you moving to FL? If you pass thru Charlotte give me a call.
SCT

[blkmtrfan]

There was a rumor here on the board thay Midnight Express was developing a small "SOB" single outboard 21'-24' and truth behind it? If so, spill some info ;)

[airpacker]

The answer to this question is relatively simple. Big boats weigh more than little boats. Horse power dosen't move big boats, torque does. Show me a stock outboard capable of generating 500 plus pound feet of torque. The 30 Velocity is a great example of being at the edge of usefulness for outbaords. My boating buddy has an original steve stepp 30 O/B model. With twin 2.5's it ran 74 mph. An identical boat with twin 365 hp 454's and bravos will break 80. Sure its more hp and torque but pretty close on a lb/hp ratio. Out boards have their advantages on some types of boats and i/o's have theirs. Bigger/heavier boats like i/o's better for many small reasons and one big one, the ability to generate massive amounts of torque.

[dkwestern]

Here is my example: I have a 33' powerplay with triple 2.5's (240 horsepwer a piece) 720 total. My boat goes the same speed as an identical boat with twin 500efi's 940 horsepower, and a lot more torque. By the way both boats go right around 82 m.p.h. here is a pic.

[blkmtrfan]

Just think there should be more like it ;)

[CRMERC]

Size does matter. A 24 foot skater with two big blocks is a pig and a 46 skater with as many outboards as you can fit wont be a wirlwind either. A customer of mine had a 30 foot scarab sport with twin 225 yamahas good for a hair under 60 mph. The boat excelerated like a dragster, if you were not holding on to something when he mashed the throttles you would be sitting in the back or swimming pretty quick. All of his pals had boats of simular length but with inboards that were probaly 10 mph faster but took a half a mile to get going. He would race from the mouth of the CT river across to long Island (6 miles) and he would kill them. I work on one that is 42 feet has two 606 cubic inch tall decks maybe 800 hp apiece and weighs 12000 pounds. The boat could go through a hurricane and not spill you drink but i hate the thing. I like looking at the big motors hearing them and working on them but i would not want one to own or feed.

[Terminal Velocity]

That is my buddy's boat. The rumors are True! THe guys that do all of his maintenance are Skater and Spectre dealers and they are amazed everytime he brings it in for work and they test drive it. He is putting big tabs on it this year and plans on taking out some big HP V hulls on the Poker run circuit. His motors are stock 280 EFI Mercs with SPortmasters. I don't know where that Pic is from but he lives outside of AC, NJ.
There is also a 26 thoroughbred in SOutheastern PA with twin "Cement mixers" that runs over a 100.
Bottom line is "too each there own", my wife wants me to get rid of my boat and buy a twin I/O boat, because she likes how they sound. I had a 32 with twin 454/600hp with Y pipes and it sounded bad as HELL, but what a nightmare to work on!

[MadMat]

Originally posted by Terminal Velocity
...but what a nightmare to work on!

Soooo true!! I've got an appointment with the surgeon next week to add a set extra knees and elbows.

[SCT]

I came across this old thread and chuckled at the premise of the question. My how things have changed in the boating world. I bet Mercruiser’s IO line is a fraction of production of what it was when this thread was started........

[MadMat]

Yes, big outboards are everywhere now aren't they. And the inboards have got even bigger, too....

[FUJIMO]

https://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=55248&d=1058802688