I owned a 91 42 Fountain triple for 8 years..triple 540's 600HP. Never had a drive issue "standard bravos" 60 MPH put the hammer down and the boat pulled like a freight train. Sold it and bought a 97 42 Staggered. Thinking it would be the cats meow....wrong does not run nothing like my triple, gas cost more because I have to run the other engines harder. I still love the boat but miss my triple. Don't get me wrong its a hell of a lot easier to work on twins. But I can't plane out on one engine, like I could with the triple on two engines.

That's my two pennies...

My biggest issue was the drives being slightly off in height and turning...then tearing up my props :(

I don't mean to highjack the thread, but would any one have any info on gph with triples. Boat is 43 Black Thunder, 3-500efi boat is loaded with heat air generator. I know at w/o it will suck fuel, would like to know about cruising speed gph.

3 x 500EFI
 

Current owner of 40 Outlaw with triple 500 EFI's on extension boxes. Previous was a 30 Baja with 900hp from twins.

30 footer worked hard to get to 75mph, 40 with triples enjoy a beverage at 80! Complete different league.

In our application, the Triples were very efficient under 3800 rpm. Once you break into the power band, they are like everything else that is running hard.... That being said, at the lower RPM,I am guessing you are running in the 68-72 mph range with that set up.

To give you an idea, a number of years ago, we trailered out to Desert Storm, spent the first 4 days on Lake Mohave in Laughlin, drove everywhere and put a 300 miles+ on the boat, used 1 tank. Pulled down to Havasu, filled up and ran the Poker Run. Burned through the entire tank of fuel in 1 day. (300 gal tank)

Sorry i just noticed i never answered my own question.... The Triple.

Originally Posted by Back4More View Post

Lets use my buddy's 97 42 Fountain for example...
To go 90+
2x800SC with #6
or
3x525SC with Bravo
Which is more reliable, last longer before rebuild, and cost less?


The triple in this configuration might be more reliable...but...

1) Now you need to add the cost of purchasing a complete set 3rd set of hardware
from the engine to the prop.

2) The cost of daily maintenance for 3 instead of 2

3) The Fuel for 3 instead of 2

Add all that up and configure how long that extra cash will maintain the 2 800SC
for this particular example.


Few more fun facts to consider:

1) Center Drive is buried the deepest, Works harder thus all your center
hardware is rebuilt quicker than the outboard two.

2) You want 2 right hand drives and 1 left hand drive.
Again center drive takes the most abuse including prop damage.
Right Hand parts are the most common to find when in need.

3) Had this triple / twin staggered conversation with John Pompi a few years
back, arguably one of the worlds best riggers. John converted an Apache from
triple 750's to Twin Staggered 800's and ran the same speed with one less power plant.


Jon

Depends on where and how u boat. If u like to bash waves and go fast, 800s and 6s all the way. If you're gonna do that with a triple eng bravo boat, better buy 3 spare drives

600+ hrs and never broke any of the 3 Bravos...Lots of going fast and wave bashing.

Out ran a 41 with twin 750's and 3's in confused chop.

"2) You want 2 right hand drives and 1 left hand drive."

I often wonder why mine was done like this?