What is better?

Outboard or Sterndrive?

Lets say twin 200hp Mercury outboards VS a 454 Mag.

What size boat?

Good question.

Lets say a 24' Banana Boat. Race or Pleasure, it doesn't matter.

This is a tough call.
You can put alot of power into a BBC, stock for stock I'd go outboards.
Big power, I'd go w a biggie motors 572 or 598

Let's add a little fuel to the fire........ which model do you think that we should come out with first, outboard, (single or twin) on a bracket or sterndrive?

Okay,

Lets modify the example to twin stock 200hp outboards vs 475hp I/O.

I am trying to make the speed compariable and not really the issue. Lets say that both rigs would go 70-75mph.

Which has the better fuel burn? I would think the outboards would be burn more.

I want to know opionions on ride performance from people who have driven both?

Cockpit space will obviously be better with the egg beaters hanging off the back.

Which takes the ocean waves better?

TB, Chatim? Are you out there? Anyone seen MrV8outboard?

First Banana power?

The very first Banana boat was an I/O, so I say lets be historical and start your new line off with the I/O version.

Also, most people on OSO have I/O's. For this reason alone, I would think the interest in the new boats would be higher.

Thanks for your input.

Having driven both versions in racing conditions, I would have to give the nod to the sterndrive single engine version as having the best balance and control.

However, I would like to see a really strong version of a small block used rather than a big block in the 24 foot boats ....kind of like the original Cobra race cars....the big block was a lot cooler, but talk to any driver from that era, and they all agree the small block 289 was a much better handling race car.

Now for the 28, the big block for sure.

Hello Charlie Sr.,

If you had a 24 Banana with a high powered small block.

What would ou run for a drive set up? Would you go with a stand off box or transom jack and a higher X-dimension?

I am assuming 30" K-planes or the equivalent.

I like those Park Tabs. They are better looking than the Dana Marine tabs. Also Park has a circle on the top end of the tab where they can stamp the Banana Name right into it.

I think they are a lot cheaper as well than the K-plane.

Just an observers opionion...

Trick marine can stamp their tabs, and do it in any color.
I'd like to see a twin small block in a 28, pushing 400-425hp on bravos.
That should be nice balanced boat.