"Mr. Luddite" wrote:
On 10/29/2014 6:34 PM, Wayne.B wrote:
On Wed, 29 Oct 2014 10:38:39 -0500, "James"
wrote:

Hi Group, I'm looking at a 28' Fiberform with twin rebuilt Chevy 250
6cly engines (165hp each). How do thes compare with a single 350 Chevy
in the 260 to 300hp range for power and fuel consumption? How about
idling down to trolling speeds? Thanks, Jim

===

There is a lot of appeal to twin engines from the stand point of "get
home" reliability but they are definitely a compromise, especially on
a boat that size with inboard engines. For starters, both engines
almost certainly share a common fuel tank and a lot of problems
originate there. Twins also weigh considerably more than a large
single, have more underwater drag, take up more interior space, and
require twice the maintenance. It is unlikely that you will realize
more speed because of the weight and drag issues.



I am not familiar with Fiberform boats and the OP didn't mention what
type of drive system it has, be it fixed shafts, props and rudders or
I/O. He also seems to be concerned with achieving slow trolling speed.

I'd go for the twins, especially if it's a shaft/prop/rudder design. You
make valid points about common failure modes (gas, etc.) but if you have
a gas problem with a single, you are 100 percent sure of being screwed.

The twins will offer better maneuverability for docking and a slower
trolling speed. You simply throw one transmission in neutral (or shut one engine off).

I'd be less enthusiastic about twins if the drive systems are I/O. Having
had a couple of I/O powered boats, I would never get another one again.
Gimmee shafts, props and rudders!

I would hope the cost of the boat is extremely low. Those are really old
motors. And Fiberform has been gone a long time. Blisters were the main
culprit on killing Fiberform. They made a lot of the Viet Nam river boats,
and were required to put a fire retardant in to the resin. Great idea.
But they also put it in to the civilian boats they made, and it caused
blisters after a couple years. Short lived boats in VN probably never
lasted long enough to matter if blisters.