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

On 10/29/14 11:38 AM, 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


A real blast from the past. I remember the Fiberform brand name on
outboard boats from the 1960s...

--
“There’s more idleness and abuse of government favors among the
economically privileged than among the ranks of the disadvantaged.” -
Norman Mailer

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.

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!

On Wed, 29 Oct 2014 19:26:52 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

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/Os are OK if you store out of the water. In the water, not so much.
We have ours in a lift as do most of our neighbors.

Reliability is a valid issue, especially on a 28 where you are sort of
on the cusp of being able to effectively use an outboard kicker on a
bracket. Personally I'd go for twin outboards.

"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.

On 10/29/2014 7:44 PM, Califbill wrote:
"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.



Are you sure you are not thinking of Uniflite? Was Fiberform and
Uniflite the same company?

Both my father-in-law and I owned Uniflites at one time. His was a 1972
and had the same hull and cabin space used for the VN boats but was
powered with twin Chrysler 318's.

Mine was an '83 Uniflite 28' Mega Sedan also with twin 318's.

Great boats and neither had any blister issues.

"Mr. Luddite" wrote:
On 10/29/2014 7:44 PM, Califbill wrote:
"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.



Are you sure you are not thinking of Uniflite? Was Fiberform and
Uniflite the same company?

Both my father-in-law and I owned Uniflites at one time. His was a 1972
and had the same hull and cabin space used for the VN boats but was
powered with twin Chrysler 318's.

Mine was an '83 Uniflite 28' Mega Sedan also with twin 318's.

Great boats and neither had any blister issues.

You are correct.

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.


The drives are OMC outdrives. Lenght is 28'. All the boats that I'm
looking at are 26' to 28'. A couple of Bayliners, the Fiberform and a
26' Carver Santa Cruz. I can't remember if Bayliner bought out
Firberform or Apollo. I actually looked a a couple of Apollos
also.Inboard/outboard are more practical around here. Jim

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!

On 10/30/2014 10:51 AM, James wrote:
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.


The drives are OMC outdrives. Lenght is 28'. All the boats that I'm
looking at are 26' to 28'. A couple of Bayliners, the Fiberform and a
26' Carver Santa Cruz. I can't remember if Bayliner bought out
Firberform or Apollo. I actually looked a a couple of Apollos
also.Inboard/outboard are more practical around here. Jim

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!


James, I would suggest that you really do some research on OMC drives
before you buy one.

They where known as "Stringer" drives and have a terrible reputation,
including lack of parts to maintain and few techs who know how or want
to work on them.

Look for a Mercrusier drive if you are considering an I/O.