Single 454 or Twin 4's or 6's??
fs...@mnsi.net
Hi,
I am considering buying a 1987 or '88 Sea Ray 268 Sundancer with the
following power options: twin mercruiser 165 hp 4 cylinder engines, twin
175 V6's or a single 454. Is there any advice that anyone can give me?
Which one would be preferable as far as performance, handling,
reliability, economy, etc.? Most of my boating is done on lakes St.
Clair and Erie and the Detroit River.
Gerry
Larry KN4IM
fs...@mnsi.net wrote:
That's easy...just picture yourself in 8 ft waves with a dead 454 V-8
and no way to get home. Any questions? Class dismissed!
Larry
I sorta like the idea of twin diesels, but it's your money, the V-6's
outa haul boogie!
Unknown
On Sat, 08 Mar 1997 11:16:42 -0800, fs...@mnsi.net wrote:
For that boat you definatelty with twins, for performance and handling
especially in the wind or when you have a full load. With that said
you should get the 6's 4's are just too small for a boat that long.
They would have to work preety hard at high RPM's with full fuel and
rough water.
CSF
]Hi,
HIDDA
fs...@mnsi.net wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I am considering buying a 1987 or '88 Sea Ray 268 Sundancer with the
> following power options: twin mercruiser 165 hp 4 cylinder engines, twin
> 175 V6's or a single 454. Is there any advice that anyone can give me?
> Which one would be preferable as far as performance, handling,
> reliability, economy, etc.? Most of my boating is done on lakes St.
> Clair and Erie and the Detroit River.
>
> Gerry
If the 454 has the same horsepower as the twins (combined), in general,
the single engine will be faster and probably cheaper running. Again, I
stress, "in general." Two small engines generally weigh more than a
single big engine. With just one leg in the water, a single has less
drag than a twin. A single leg's prop is in deeper water than the
twins. There's less to maintain with a single engine. A single is
cheaper to buy than a twin. A single engine doesn't have to be
synchronized with another engine.
There's a lot to be said about redundancy in a twin installation.
Chance of losing both engines (especially if they're on sep. fuel and
electrical systems) is slim. Twins are easier to maneuver at dock.
On a personal note, I have a single engine. It's been very dependable.
Preventative and scheduled maintenance is regularly done. I have never
had an engine fail to bring me home in over 30 years. I have also seen
poorly maintained twin engine boats get towed in.
So, in my case, although I would love to have a twin engine boat, the
single has not failed me and it's also saved me in purchase ,
maintenance, and operational costs.
For me, a twin engine boat would offer me easier docking and a better
sense of security/safety. It's not enough for me to dump my present
boat in favor of a twin installation.
Larry Lohkamp
A pair will be less fuel efficient than a single. A pair will weigh more
and will require more total horsepower for the same performance. On the
other hand, when your looking a wall of gray-green water that is 30' high,
you don't want you life hanging on a single.
For a few bucks of gas and a bit more maintenance, you get better
maneuverability, better resale, and more security.
A friend runs a 27' SeaSport with a pair of Volvo 4s.
Larry Lohkamp
fs...@mnsi.net wrote in article <3321BB...@mnsi.net>...
Formula330
i would probably go with the twin V-6s. The twin 4s probably wont give
you enough top speed and the acceleration will also suffer. On the plus
side, the twin 4s will probably give the best fuel economy. As for the
single 454, the top speed and fule economy will probably be close to the
twin 6s, but twin engines are great for low speed manuevering and docking
without a question.
jay
acss...@acs.eku.edu
In article <19970310154...@ladder01.news.aol.com>, formu...@aol.com (Formula330) writes:
> i would probably go with the twin V-6s. The twin 4s probably wont give
> you enough top speed and the acceleration will also suffer.
> On the plus side, the twin 4s will probably give the best fuel
> economy.
I beleive he said they were 165 hp 4 cylinders... 3.7 liters. In terms
of power output they are very nearly equal to the 4.3L engines and they
use about the same amount of fuel. The 4.3L engine is however, a much
better engine. I would probably steer clear of 3.7L engines...
especially 2 of them.
dsc - acss...@acs.eku.edu
Chuck Jackson
fs...@mnsi.net wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I am considering buying a 1987 or '88 Sea Ray 268 Sundancer with the
> following power options: twin mercruiser 165 hp 4 cylinder engines, twin
> 175 V6's or a single 454. Is there any advice that anyone can give me?
> Which one would be preferable as far as performance, handling,
> reliability, economy, etc.? Most of my boating is done on lakes St.
> Clair and Erie and the Detroit River.
>
> Gerry
Gerry,
In general, the single 454 is going to be less maintenance (1/2) of the
twin configurations. However, the twins will double your reliability. I
think that a single 454 will be more fuel efficient than a comparable
(total cubic inch) twin engine setup because there is only one outdrive
dragging thru the water. The twins should be more maneuverable dockside.
Andrew Bayley
Andrew Bayley
Andrew Bayley wrote:
Subject: Re: Single 454 or Twin 4's or 6's??
Newsgroups: rec.boats
References: <3321BB...@mnsi.net>
Organization: the Gates of SCARAB Hell.
Distribution:
Gerry,
I know this might be a bit more than you mentioned, but what about twin
small block v8's? Think about it for a second. If two v6's will fit,
than the width of two v8's shouldn't be a problem. And if a 454 will fit,
than the length of the engine compartment shouldn't be a problem. The
cost of two mild small blocks is suprisingly <sp?> not that much more than
two v6's (4 bangers? come on now!). There is a guy at Jefferson Beach
Marina (can't remember name) that does a lot of custom twin installations.
You might want to call up thier shop and ask for advice. After all, it's
better to have too much power and not need it (ha, that will be the day)
than not have enough power and NEED it (all to often the case). But if a
single engine is desired, the MPI MerCruiser big blocks are the way to go.
I've never had better turn key performace/reliability from any other big
block. Mind ya those 502 MPI have the same dimensions as the 454 :)
Hope this helped
-Andy
+------------------------------------------------------------+
|Andrew G. Bayley agba...@mtu.edu |
|Michigan Technological University; Electrical Engineering |
|Unprofessional Race Car Driver |
|1977 Datsun 280Z 1983 Ford Ranger 2.3T |
|1985 Toyota 4WD SR5 1996 22' SCARAB 7.4L MPI |
|Happiness is a low E.T. |
|Note: This is NOT a used car list (Jeff) |
+------------------------------------------------------------+
AlanStwOK
Andrew;
There are some advantages to having twins. Probably the greatest is
reduncancy, if one engine fails you have the ability to get to safety on
the other. Also low--speed manuverablility is greatly enhanced.
Reliability is roughly the same. Fuel economy in boating is a misnomer.
Maintenance of course is doubled, the price you pay for redundance. If you
opt for twins remember there is no substitute for horsepower. Performance
is likely to be best with twin v 6's for that reason.
Good Luck!
MacDadee69
I would definetly go with the single screw option. Go with big block
reliability, Number 1. You have HP. Number 2. You have one motor to
keep up maintenance on. Number 3. It will be more efficient with only
one outdrive in the H20.
Vvmfuno
I am a 454 single screw guy. Essentially the maintennce and problems with
two outdrives will put you in the poor house. Engines last. Out drives
break. Other option is twin striaght inboards or the Duo Prop / bravo 3.
Reeznart
go with 454
Brian Stephenson
Well this is just my opinion based on my experience. i have a 26' cuddy
and it has twin 145hp 4cyl volvo 180's. this boat is terrific handling,
does a conservative 35mph and actually gets gas mileage i am very happy
with. as for extra maintainance i wouldn't know, i've only ouned volvo's
and they just keep going. once you get pretty big in a boat i think twin
screws hook up a bit better to move the boat more efficiently(just
oppinon). for rafting off near a beach(fav Can/Am summer event on lake
erie), you can run your twin drives up a lot higher for getting over
those sand bars. also if one of my twins was to let me down halfway home
from the US side, I know i can still limp home on the other drive. one
last thing, pull into a small marina where you have to do some tight
negotiating and you will look like a star steering with nothing but ypur
drives.yes i'm bias but i love my twins. if speed is an issue go to twin
6's.
From Brian-Grand River area Canadian side of Lake Erie.
SMU72
Last summer I purchased a 1996 Cruisers 2670 Rogue powered by a Mercruiser
454 with a Bravo II - the Bravo two is a tried and proven lower unit. I
tried the Bravo III and for the minimal increase in performance I decided
it wasn't worth chancing a relatively new system (God forbid you hit
anything with two props and a prop shaft that will bend easily). I've
owned boats for over 30 years and with the right product and proper
maintenance your not likely to need the reliability of twins. I've had no
difficulty docking with a single either. So save yourself money initially
and on maintenance and go with a reliable single. Let me know what you
decide SM...@AOL.COM
DRC411
It usually depends on the beam of the boat. I have a 87 270 Sea Ray
Amberjack
with T-175 V-6 4.3 litre, 2 bbl carbs, I run with 21 pitch stainless props
and I run smoother, faster and with better handling. I actually burn less
gas with the twin 6's My friends have 270 sundancer Sea Ray with single
454. They have to push usually around 3400 or 3500 rpm to keep up with
cruise speed of 25 o 27 mph.
Good luck! I'm looking for a bigger boat. 24 Sea Ray express or 32 St.
Tropez Wellcraft that has been repaired (alot of stringer problems in
Wellcraft).
Dave