triples vs twins?
 

Just looking for some insight on why people choose 3 smaller engines over two larger? Interested on peoples preference and why..

Most people do not choose 3 lower hp trips over twin higher hp engines.
If a boat came with the option of twins or trips and they both run 90mph, the twin will have a much better resale value.

I would rather have 2 headaches instead of 3.

I thought the "age old" question on triples vs twins was addressed in the original "Total Recall".... Triples were interesting, but a nice set of twins wins! :eekdrop:

:whistle::poopoo:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/c...psce2a7abf.jpg

Triples were cool in big V's in the 90's. But now that boats are built lighter, better hulls, better engines, drives and props twins is the way to go. The third engine doesn't really even pull its own weight.

I had a Mercury mechanic once laugh at a quad outboard Midnight Express and his comment was, why would you ever want that? Most of the time we can't keep 2 engines running and you want 2 more in the equation? That ME had an issue with the two outside engines blowing lower units when turning, boat goes into a turn and essentially airs out the lower unit on the opposite side of the boat.

Buying headers for a pair of 525's sucks, but buying 3 sets must reallllllly suck! But it would be cool to make up more nonsense for the stupid people asking questions like: Yep, I got 3 spare Nascar motors in there from last season, yep those are 525's so with three of them it is over 2000 HP! 525 is how many gallons it burns a day! :D :D :D

I did meet a guy with a little run about, he didn't quite have a whole spare Nascar motor in it, but he did have Rusty Wallace's valve springs :lolhit:

More is always better..... Why not 6 engines? Because 6 wont fit on the transom.

1/2 of boating is going fast, the other half is making a statement/showing off,

http://www.powerandmotoryacht.com/si...gines-600w.jpg

Last winter I spent 20k rebuilding my two 500efi's and one drive. Trips look good and have a cool factor but the cost out ways the cool factor to me.

wonder what kind of slip he is experiencing

It is a Cigarette.....

[ATTACH=CONFIG]521014[/ATTACH]

Personally blower motors scare me( 4 good reason, had a new 2003 382 Fastech w 575's w/ 3 years of constant probs) So, my 2007 NT 43 I ordered w trip 525's & had 275 flawless hours on them & the bravo drives!!! :coolcowboy:

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?

LOL.

Well said!

Your avatar suggest otherwise :party-smiley-048:

Jon

exactly ...most people that are negative on the triple engine boats have never owned one.

I've always wondered about the issue Wrink and Tom commented on. Wouldn't owning a twin blower boat with high maintenance #6 drives be far more expensive than triple reliable 525s? I'm asking the question without bias (I don't own either type of boat), but have heard people on both sides of the issue and want to know the truth!

Lower power/engine=, less cost. The hull is more efficient with the 3 props cutting in, You will see less wear and less broken parts over all. (as long as you treat it right. That Is Why I went triple.

My options when boat was ordered for the same mph: 3- 496HO's or 2- 575's. The triple application was $75K less in cost. Was a turn key, go boating set up, and we NEVER had problems with drives.

That is why triples are better in my opinion. (This is from someone who actually had a triple!!!)

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?

That's Interesting


Jon

Without a better picture my guess is the drive shaft on the center motor had to clear the notched transom height/depth so the center motor was mounted higher and a longer/deeper lower unit was added to make up for the vee

While you have picked up the discreet difference no one else noticed, you have failed to notice the OBVIOUS abnormality. Please play again. :evilb:

Now that's funny.

One thought to consider. 300 hp Verados have a better warranty and run on 89 octane so putting four of them on a center console's transom can actually be more cost effective and convenient for the owner than triple 350-hp Verados, which require higher octane fuel and have a shorter warranty.

I noticed.... All 3 are Right Hand Drives

Jon