what are pros and cons of having staggered engines. wieght distribution?, distance between props? performance? any info would be great.

im a new guy so just trying to learn....

I knida wondered this as well. it seems servicing them would be a lil easier since they are no cramped up against each other.

Staggering the engines put the drives closer together. This alone will produce higher speeds due to changing the x dimension, hence why most v bottom race boats are staggered. Also much easier to work on, centers the weight more in the "V" of the hull. Higher speedes will produce some chine though.

We all have seen how a staggered engine stepped bottom V hull is faster then a non staggered engine stepped bottom V hull.

Is there any proof out there if a Staggered NON step stright bottom V hull performs better then side by side?

Have a friend/fellow OSO member thinking about converting his

I have staggered motors in my Donzi. I run in a few poker runs but mostly pleasure boating. The biggest advantage I like about the staggered drives is that the CG of the boat is further forward than a side by side set up. What this does is keep the boat "flat" when you are running in rougher water.

The disadvantages are having the drives so close makes docking tougher and the staggered position of the motors does take up some cockpit space.

Having an oversized motor box makes working on the motors very accessible.

I don't have a chine walking problem, I think that is more of a hull issue than staggered motors.

I would not own a side by side boat again.

Hope this helps,

Mark

is it a 5mph gain or? ive got a 98 side by side 42 fountain was thinking of converting to staggerd but the cost of the exhaust is crazy so im thinking for the price the side by side is pretty good.

I have the tails for staggered to fit GIll manifolds for approx 18 inch drive centerlines if interested .

I believe I am the friend you are talking about!!!

I have been debating a staggered setup since I bought the 43 GT last year. I am very interested in doing a staggered setup due to wanting this very heavy non-step to be in the triple digits. Which I think its going to need all the help it can get.

Has anyone with a no step v hull went from a typical side by side to any type staggered setup? If so any gains?

Jason

Problem with this entire "drive and lower units" part of the technical section is the only people that hang out here have Bravo boats. Very hard to get people to respond to REAL technical questions like #6 drive problems or this staggered drive setup question.

OP, jason, jhonny, I would start a thread in the general boating discussion or somewhere else to get some more attention. Good luck with your projects!

Because all us F@cks w Bravos are always breaking them !!!