I wouldn't want that boat. It's gonna be too ass-heavy with the big girls in the rear.

You have many options ...keep looking and doing research!

26 footer with twins is a tough sale. Make sure you explore your options, however to answer the BB to SB question, go with the BB. They wont have to work as hard and will be a little easier on fuel. My last boat 29 foot with twin 502s used the same amount of fuel as my single 28 foot with 496.

I previously had a '92 Nova with a single big block and it did just fine. Sure, it would have looked cool to fire up twins at the dock, but I think it would be overkill for that hull. Plus, you'd need a shoehorn to do any work on them. Just my $.02, good luck!

I didn't think the 26' had enough beam for 2 big dogs? It's gonna be mighty tight in there!

Coming from experience...I would look for a 26 with a single. The twins you have to remember everything is double. If you want to upgrade the exhaust for example X2.

I had a 26' Nova with twin small blocks and now I have a 31' Formula with 454's. Not exactly apples to apples, but the Formula is an absolute gas pig compared to the Nova.

I drove them both pretty much the same ... in the rack or wide open. The Formula is about 10 MPH faster so I guess the extra gas is worth something. Like others have pointed out, the cost of gas is minor compared to the other costs of boat ownership. You know what b.o.a.t. stands for, right?

BB

For eventual resale.

Yes, BB here too. Jetmech has a 26 nova with twin big block bravos and it ran around 80 with warmed over 454s. Ran 70 with 330s and was a solid boat. The engine room is no tighter than my 30 scarab side to side. I have room in front of my engines though. Very nice setup the 26 nova with twin BB. I don't know what a sbc 26 nova would run, but I would guess only 55-60mph. So some of it has to do with what you want to do with the boat and how important going fast is to you.

I don't think a Nova would be considered a "cruiser" hull. That boat is respectable with either power, but I would base my decision on outdrives......the SB's may have Alpha's. Either way, a lot of room from the pulleys to the seatback....