Interesting to say the least. The fuel burn of the (4) gas burning O/Bs vs. the (2) Cummins diesels will tell the story.... No doubt access to maintain is easier. Wonder how it effected the boat's CG?

I'm gonna go ahead and guess 300s...what with the big decals that say "300" on the back of each of them...

What he said

I believe all the boats were three engine packages.

No some were available as twin cummins.

Is it as fast as this one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX7tc3A57xc

[ATTACH=CONFIG]525186[/ATTACH]I have never seen a twin but anything is possible.

Even if the fuel burn is higher on the gas OB's the overall cost should be less considering the long warranty on the OB's, the ease of service (everybody can and will work on Merc OB's).

BTW great idea......plenty of those 48's are getting to be 8-10 years old and will have tired power (gas 525's or the diesels) so you basically built yourself a Cig Huntress for about 1/5 the cost!

4 300 Verados wide open more or less 100GPH
2 550 Cummins wide open 60 GPH

I don't understand why everybody says outboards are easier to maintain, diesels don't break down. They both require the same maintenance but the diesel intervals are longer.

The Cummins aren't as bulletproof as the OB's. Diesels don't break down? Bobthebuilder blew one up in his 50 Nortech after 500 hours, my buddy has them in a diesel flybridge cruiser and they have been fair at best with reliability. Also keep in mind the diesels are more way more complex than an old Detroit Diesel from 25 years ago and they don't love high rpms, throttles nailed to the dash for long stretches.

In my opinion, if you want trouble free boating, go OB whenever possible.