Formula SS people
 

Looking at the formula SS and I think I have narrowed it down to the 260-280. the 240 looks to small and the 252 doesnt look much better. My questions are concerning power, Im seeing singles, twins with 350s, 4.3s and 454s. Im coming from a fountain and looking for something for family appealing. Twins and going fast really isnt a huge priority. But I dont want the boat to struggle or suck gas. and would like something to at least get to 45-50mph. So whats some opinions on power? Also anything else to look for


Also if anybody is interested in my fountain or would like to do a straight trade check it out here
http://watertown.craigslist.org/boa/4614390983.html

My buddy is also shopping for a 260/280 and he had the same questions. I know the 4.3's use Alpha drives so that is a big deterent there to me (although they probably hold up fine). He seems to want a single big block for ease of maintance and I think he is on the money there. Although I think I would strongly consider the twin small blocks as well.

I have a 280 with twin 260HP mercs BIII, that is the minimum I would go with this boat if you want acceleration for water sports etc. The 300HP mpi's would be better and probably have the same fuel burn. If you just want good cruise you could do the 220hp 4.3s, which I had on a SeaRay and were great engines IMHO. I don't think I would do a single on the 280. It would probably be good on the 260. The 280 is a very solid stable boat and I really like the layout.

thats the conumdrum. I think twin SBCs are fine but the 4.3s with alphas dont necessarily worry me as far as working and reliabilty as those are used on cruisers quite a bit. My issue would be getting any sort of descent speed and guzzling fuel, and resale wouldnt be great. But I think I would be equally worried with a single 454 in there as I dont see any sort of speed past 40mph with it and I see it sucking fuel as well. Two 220 43.s is more hp than that single 454, but with the added weight your probably equal or little less in the power department with twin 4.3s

Avoid the few 280's with single engine (obviously) . . . 280's with 4.3's could be considered somewhat lightly powered, but should meet the low end of your speed range. 280's with 5.7's are the most common, and are nicely powered and should be a 50 mph boat. The boats with 7.4's are well powered and should be 55+ mph boats.

A 280 with 4.3's is a tougher sell, so take that into consideration.

thanks for the information. Yeah I think im going to pass with any single in a 28, seems like a tall order. A 26 maybe. But with my budget I cant be totally picky either

100% satisfied with my '05 260 SS with 496 mag. 53-54 mph, excellent fuel efficiency and planing. Have crammed 12 asian ladies and myself on this boat for a bachelorette party ... tough day, everyone had a blast.

thanks red dog, I think a single on a 260 might be alright. Looking up the numbers a single 280 is 800lbs heavier dry than a 260, 8in wider and 2 feet longer, which means its 15% heavier and the surface area its pushing through the water is also about 15% more. just by the math would put a 280 at best with a single at around 45mph boat max. Which again im not looking for a speed demon, but want something that can get to 50. But then again if a single 280 is fuel efficient, less maint costs etc, maybe its worth it.

I had an 01 260 with a 454. Did @ 50 or a little above, and that was with a generator and air conditioner I had installed after the fact.

I now own a 370 SS, I recently spent @ $80,000 on repower and new outdrives (does @ 55-60 now) and I would love to go back to the simplicity of a single engine. If you don't need the 280 and the twins, I would go with a 260 and the single and enjoy the simple, efficient and cost-effectiveness of the single engine.

i really am not leaning toward a 260 or 280 over one or the other. Really its what fits my budget. Obviously a 260 single would be the cheapest. Really like I said speed isnt the number one concern, really looking for efficiency and ease of use more than anything. I just dont want anything to struggle.