On Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:56:49 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"Wayne.B" wrote in message
.. .
On Thu, 27 Sep 2007 05:12:11 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
wrote:

When I saw you were thinking about twin F350's I thought it might be
overkill, until I saw the boat.

I'd go for the triples 350s if you really want outboards. It should
still run on plane with 2, problematic with one. You can always tilt
up the middle and run on twins for "economy" mode, such as it is.
Personally I'd prefer twin inboard diesels on a boat that size.

I agree. It's funny that for a guy who drives and appreciates a diesel
powered truck, SWF seems to have an aversion to diesel powered boats. It's
not all about speed offshore as the boats get bigger, although with the
right turbo diesels, he'd have plenty of it.

Diesel inboards would be better for close quarter handling, fuel economy
and, (arguably) reliability for long runs.

I'm not adverse to diesels. Correctly or incorrectly, my view is that
for boats of this style and type, outboards are the better choice.

Now if I were to purchase a boat like your Navigator, Chuck's
Sundowner or Wayne's GB - heck, Mrs. E's GB for that matter, then
diesels are the correct choice.

However, for a boat styled like the Contender, and considering the
type of running I like to do and given the length, in my opinion
outboards are a better choice for what I do, how I work and the type
of fishing that I prefer to do offshore.

Having said that, if I were to purchase a 48/50' class Hatteras,
Bertie or Viking - that type of boat, then definetly diesels.

For this size and type of boat, I'm not at all convinced that diesels
offer any more of an advantage.

I could be mistaken in my belief and would be perfectly willing to go
the diesel route given the same level of performance. I have been on
a new 32' Topaz and all things considered, felt just so-so with the
overall performance.

I just think that for this type boat, and the way I tend to run the
boat, outboards are the preferred power system.

By the way, I disagree with the close quarter manuevering, but that's
another discussion.