Thoughts on the 47 Lightning

[Racerngr1]

I wanted to hear your thoughts on the 47 Lightning with the different power options, it seems that the tripple 500 package was/is the most popular. What do you think? I did a search for the subject but couldn't find anything.

[PJDiesel]

I think the trips are WAY less desirable than twins, just look at some of the recent sales to confirm this.

I don't know if it's fear of fuel use (which isn't a totally reasonable fear), maintenance, (which IS a reasonable fear) or just insurance.

From what I as seeing, trip 42's and 47's were selling for less than comparable twins.

Just a thought. I would want 525's,.......but nothing more.

[Yamaha 225]

I love the triple set up. It is IMPOSSIBLE not to get that smile when you start them up one by one.... They are VERY CHEAP to run also those 47 triple Lightnings.. ;-)

[johnnyboatman]

i would love to trade my 42 towards a 47 oneday.

[mcraymond3]

I love the 47. I have had two. first was a 96 with small blower motors and the second was a 01 500 efi boat. Just today, I was thinking that I wanted another one!

[endeavor1]

Originally Posted by mcraymond3

I love the 47. I have had two. first was a 96 with small blower motors and the second was a 01 500 efi boat. Just today, I was thinking that I wanted another one!

What will a small step trip 500 top out at vs big step trip 500? I ve been eyeing a couple 2002 models

[tcuda499]

Originally Posted by Yamaha 225

I love the triple set up. It is IMPOSSIBLE not to get that smile when you start them up one by one.... They are VERY CHEAP to run also those 47 triple Lightnings.. ;-)

how are they cheaper to run than twins? More maintance than a twin.

[pookie]

I have triples in my 47. I love it. There are big advantages to twins in a 42, but the weight and size of the 47 means big power and #6's for twins. Loss of longevity and maintenance schedules for the big power twins is traditionally much costlier than maintenance on 3 milder power motors;however, it seems that recently the 700's and 850's have become much more durable with mercury no longer recommending complete teardown at 50 hours which was ridiculous.

[Racerngr1]

Originally Posted by pookie

I have triples in my 47. I love it. There are big advantages to twins in a 42, but the weight and size of the 47 means big power and #6's for twins. Loss of longevity and maintenance schedules for the big power twins is traditionally much costlier than maintenance on 3 milder power motors;however, it seems that recently the 700's and 850's have become much more durable with mercury no longer recommending complete teardown at 50 hours which was ridiculous.

What does it cost you in gas per day to run your boat with triples? The 500 EFI in my 29 is a pretty fuel efficient engine, I can spend about $200 and drive the boat for a whole weekend and have some left over.

[pookie]

I get about 1 mpg at cruising speed, much less at WOT (which I rarely do for very long-just too fast for me with people in the boat). It cruises comfortably in the 50's. The motors don't work very hard to attain and maintain that speed.