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Twin or single need advice

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Old 05-29-2014 | 05:32 PM
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Default Twin or single need advice

I'm looking to get into a 27 - 29 formula SR1 or fastech. I have a couple of questions

Is twin engines a good option? If so, how do you do maintenance such as change spark plug and oil since motors are so close.

Also, what are down sides to the twins over the single.

Also, is it preferred to go carb or Efi.

And other advice you can offer will be greatly appriciated.
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Old 05-29-2014 | 05:39 PM
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O here we go again, better set down, ur head will be spinning before this is all done LMAO good luck I started with a 27' 502 mag boat, then the 33' twin 502 I luv twins, there's no better sound than two big blocks singing in harmony about 5 grand. two different times one motor wouldn't fire but the one got me home.

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Old 05-29-2014 | 06:56 PM
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272 is twins . . . 271 is single . . . 292 from all vintages is twins.

You go on a diet and wait until your arms get really skinny, then you can reach in between the engines and change the spark plugs.

Actually, if you do your own maintenance, you will learn the various tricks to getting in between the engines for maintenance and repairs. they literally are about 2" apart at the exhaust manifolds.Twins is sooo much better than a single in terms of performance and maneuvering.

I have the EFI twins, and they seem quite nice . . . always start.

The maintenance is a drag, because it is twice the fun.
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Old 05-29-2014 | 08:03 PM
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I have never seen the twin except in photos. So I am assuming that it is possible to do maintenance from the sound of it. But what happens if you need to change the starter for some reason, do you have to pull the motors? I guess I am asking, is there any reason why you would need to pull the motor to change componet parts, or is it doable with out pulling motors.

Also, is there that much of a difference with twins? It sounds like it is worth considering ( of coarse maintenance is twice). Is there any reason to not buy twins?
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Old 05-29-2014 | 08:07 PM
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ALso, I am hearing that the twins consume alot of gas how does it compare to a single.
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Old 05-29-2014 | 08:13 PM
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I had a 272sr1. Great boat. I'm 6'2 and 225. My arms are far from small. I was able to change stbd starter. Plugs were actually fairly accessible. Put my hands on port starter to confirm I'd be able to reach it all if need be. To me I saw no reason to have to yank a motor for routine maintenance.

I loved the twins and will not go back to a single unless its for a small runabout. Performance boat is twins only for me. I too had a starter go out and used 1 to get home. My 272 would plane on one engine. Drives and tabs tucked.
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Old 05-29-2014 | 08:13 PM
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Just to get the twin fans going i'm going to give the argument of ........In a 27' boat,one easy to get to, well maintained motor ...could be a more reliable package than twins that are just a pain to do anything with ,maintenance wise. When you get to a little bigger boat, you gotta have twins...my opinion

Last edited by motor; 05-29-2014 at 08:17 PM.
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Old 05-30-2014 | 10:34 AM
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IMHO the fun factor, driveability, and redundancy of twins far out weighs the extra maintenance and extra cost. Twins have gotten me home on two seperate occasions where a single would have me stranded. Also, I believe that docking twins is way easier than docking a single. Anyways, who buys these things for good gas milage or to save on the spark plug budget?

.
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Old 05-30-2014 | 10:52 AM
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For my first boat I'm looking at 271's. I have driven many a twin boats, and I agree there are many upsides to them. I'm not there yet on wanting that big gas bill or mainance bill. I would stick to EFI boats if you can.
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Old 05-30-2014 | 03:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Priobe
ALso, I am hearing that the twins consume alot of gas how does it compare to a single.
On a same size boat, twins may actually be less gas, but rarely is there that option, except in a few models,

My 242 with single got 2 mpg. My 330 with twins gets 1.5 mpg. Not bad considering it is twice as heavy. The thing with twins is that your cruising rpm will be much lower than a single.

So if you had to choose between a 27 with a single versus a 28 with twins, the 28 would be better and probably use same gas. . . In reality, the twin engine boats are a lot bigger than single engine boats, so it is tough comparison.

Last edited by tpenfield; 05-31-2014 at 05:06 AM.
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