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2 small blocks or 1 big block

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2 small blocks or 1 big block

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Old 03-09-2011 | 10:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Smitty
29 feet is alot of boat for one motor, since it is a performance hull. If it were a cruiser, one motor would suffice.
I'd respectfully disagree. 30 Activator, 2750 lavey, 29 kryptonite, 28 pantera, 28 howard, 30 velocity, 30 phantom, 30 Y2k Superboat and ill even jump the gun and say 28 OL. kryptonite, activator, phantom, and superboat all at least into the 80's with a stock 525.
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Old 03-10-2011 | 12:03 AM
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***

Last edited by Philm; 03-10-2011 at 12:03 AM. Reason: nevermind
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Old 03-10-2011 | 12:25 AM
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You might want to check in the Scarab forum but in the case of my twin sbc 29 vs the 29 single Fountain my twin will beat the single engine version out of the the hole so badly its not even funny (especially when loaded with people).....like I am GONE! but then they come back and beat me on top end if the race is long enough.....the docking is better with the twin as mentioned as is the reliability.....the single will most likely handle better/fly flatter with less weight on the rear.....if all out top speed and handling is the only concern go with the single but a 29 is a lot of boat for any normally aspirated single to get on plane..D

if you get the twin race everybody from a dead stop!!

Last edited by pullmytrigger; 03-10-2011 at 12:31 AM.
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Old 03-10-2011 | 12:31 AM
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Originally Posted by mikebrls
what would be a better package in a late model 29 scarab ?
small blocks = 350 mpi's = 300 hp x 2
big block = 540 ci. 575 hp

thank's
mike
Mike,
If your going to be boating in south fla, I would advise the twins, almost anywhere you go here, you will want the peace of mind that twin engines will give you, 2 small blocks is the difference between, being the average boater headed to bimini, or that cowboy who tryed to get there with a single, you might make it in most cases, but if your family is on board, your fingers will be crossed the entire way. Having twins may also be the difference between drifting into that mega yacht in the miami beach marina current, or being able to limp your way out of crisis on one engine. just my 2 cents, I hope it helps.

Now if your planning on doing lake and freshwater boating, where you can see land most of the time, then the single would be a better choice.
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Old 03-10-2011 | 06:17 AM
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I looked at buying a 29 scarab. If you do a search on here you will find that a 29 with stock 502 does about 62 mph and the twin small blocks goes about 68 mph stock.
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Old 03-10-2011 | 06:28 AM
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Just a couple more points on this topic.

Bravos behind the 350's should last forever. A Bravo behind a 540 not so much. It's the torque that kills gears.

The Scarab 29 is a narrow beam boat. So, the twins will be tight and more difficult to work on than the single.

The P-29 Scarab runs mid to upper 70's with the twin 350's vs upper 60's for the regular 29.
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Old 03-10-2011 | 06:56 AM
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The P-29 Scarab runs mid to upper 70's with the twin 350's vs upper 60's for the regular 29.[/QUOTE]

Has the blackhawk drives, duo prop and surface piercing.
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Old 03-10-2011 | 07:05 AM
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If you need peace and mind when boating and therefor twins...you shouldn't boat !

A single is less maintance, lighter, easyer to work on, and if comparing a 540 to twin 350s..the 540 will be faster and even out of the hole.
On the Bravo i agree that its pushing it . but any drive can break.

I am glad to own a single engine 30 foot boat ..i had twins before.........way more money then single.
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Old 03-10-2011 | 07:31 AM
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the 27 Carrera (just as heavy as a 29 Scarab if not heavier)
run 67-69 with twin 350s and 62-63 with single big block.
Mine runs 69 with single HP500..
The fact you have two drives dragging instead of one
negates some of the extra hp of twins.
If you have to work on your on boat the single makes life a LOT better.
Twins are a royal pain to work on by comparison.
If someone else does your work for you then its just a matter of preference..
Only way I would own a boat with twins is if they were staggered
but thats mostly because I am always tinkering with my toys..

Last edited by HTRDLNCN; 03-10-2011 at 07:35 AM.
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Old 03-10-2011 | 07:37 AM
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Go 2 350's bravos with shorties, don't go Blackhawks, I had a P29 great boat aside from the drives. The only boat I ever had a drive problem with and I had a bunch of problems. Plus like said before you can limp home on one better than none.
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