Triple 525's or twin staggered? Opinions inside.
 

I am in the market for a 47 fountain and have the following question. What set-up would you run if you were looking for a reliable, mid range use cruiser(45-55). I am not that concerned with fuel consumtion or cost, so that issue is mute. I am however concerned with the motor and drive reliability. The 525's look to get good life(800+ hours) if there not beat to hell, but how well do the drives hold up with the triple combo.

My brother-in law has a 42 foot fountain with triple 525's and says he likes the set-up for both the performace(90+) and the reliability of the combo(not to hi-performace), just wondering about other experienced opinions.

One other question, if a motor breaks down in either boat, will the boats be able to get on plain down a motor? I raise this question, because I plan on using this boat for long trips(200-300 miles).

Chuck B.

You wouldn't like a 17,000lb boat with twin 525s. To start with, the time to plane would be unacceptable and that would be just the beginning of your problems.

I am going with either the triple 525's or the twin 700's.

twin 700's hands down....1 less motor, 3 less bravos, less weight, great speed.....etc.

you dont want a 3 motor boat and your dont want bravos in that thing...let alone 3 of them. The 700's live as long as the 525's.

I have a lot of time in a 47 with triples. I would choose the twin setup any day. Less cost, maintenance and one less power package to worry about breaking. Also on a triple engine setup the center engine never really hooks up good so you end up loosing efficiency over the twin setup. If you ever have to work on the triple you will wish you had purchased the twin as there is way more room and accessibility in the twin setup.

Twin 700's for sure. Way stronger drives, one less motor for maintenance, better fuel consumption and less weight.

No brainer in my opinion.

You're certainly not likely to get 800hrs out of a pair of 525efi's, more like 300-600, and thats with a top end refresh in between. The 700's will probably be more like 200-400hrs.

good info here...

Ask the boat dealer about resale values on the tripples. White elephants very few want. I have seen dealers actually take a used tripple and convert it to twins so they could sell the boat. The 700 package is hot right now on the used market.

Twin 700s will put you in the low 90s so you'll be able to keep up with your BIL(can't let him get ahead of you! :D ) There was a time(back in the Dark Ages) when boats were heavy and motors were unreliable. Trips made sense then.

Three years ago I was on a 40' triple engine V when we lost an alternator belt three miles from the docks in 30mph wind and 3-4' chop(lake). The owner was able to get the boat on plane and get back to the docks where he changed the belt. Without that third motor it would have been a long slog back off plane. So trips can be a good thing.