Engine Choice on a 30 footer
 

Outboard power choice....so feel free to ignore if this makes you nauseous.

Looking to power a 6K LB 30 footer. Choices are a single 300 V8 Merc or twin Merc V6 200's. BIG price difference between the two about an additional 20K for the twins. The dealer is actually pushing the 300 over the twins. Ocean boating is the destination. Top speed and fuel burns are about the same on this particular hull.

How should I spend my money?

We are in the process of repowering our 30' Superboat with twin Merc 300XS's....good luck with your decision.

It’s your budget, so decide what you prefer. Since you asked, having multiple engines for offshore is preferred. With few exceptions, you’ll have an engine to limp back on.

Check the transom before upgrading.

Here’s some things to consider

how far out are you going? Yes motors are much more reliable today but I had a buddy just lose a motor last trip on a pair of fairly new zuke less than 1 year old.
is seatow or whomever out there?
what about weight and balance on the boat. What impact on cg will twins have? those can add a lot of weight. My boat is very sensitive to weight changes ‘72 SeaCraft Seafari 25’

single will be less maintenance costs, less install costs, etc
twins may give some maneuvering and redundancy

I put my boat back to factory as a sterndrive but with a kicker as my get home guarantee.
going way offshore like 80 miles plus I’d recommend having a backup system. Although I know many who do it with a single with no issues…but what will you do if it becomes an issue?

nearshore single is fine. But I suspect you’ll appreciate having twins down the line.

I'm certainly leaning towards twins.......400HP is better than 300HP, right? :drink:

BTW....these are new Merc's, so all the bells and whistles. The V8 does have the AMS midsection and sport exhaust, where the V6's don't, but both are DTS.

Keep the arguments coming.

Twins if Ocean boating why rely on just one

I agree with what the previous guys said - twins only for open water boating.

Even in fresh water where these center consoles are often used as booze cruises I would get the twins if your planning on doing any people hauling.

Why isn't a single 400HP an option?
Or twin 300HP?
6K and only 300HP or 400HP with the twins seems scant.
They claim pretty good performance with either?

It's an Axopar 28 and the V10 400 is not an option...yet. The hull is rated for a max 400HP. There is an aftermarket "Brabus" version that supports twin 225's.

Guess they have good reason.

Guessing Mecury's 200 Fourstrokes not the Pro XS's since the 200 Pro XS is a V8.
They are 475# *(lightest model they claim) according to the PDF spec sheet.
SeaPros are heavier, they have a bigger gearcase in the 200HP VS the regular 200HP Fourstroke version if you aren't aware.

So 2 of those = 950#.
Whereas a 400HP V10 Verado is 695#.

So seems a shame though to not be able to power it with the V10.
Other than the advantage of twins in a offshore situation.

The 28 was originally designed for a single, but demand for twins made them re-engineer the transom and systems to support it. The V10 will be available sometime in 2024 I am told.

The twins on the 28's are the standard 200 four strokes. The Brabus boats get the XS Pro's at a huge premium.

Imo
anything 29 and over besides very few exceptions i would only go twin !

There is an Axopar dealer in San Diego (America's Cup Harbor) where I keep my Formula 280SS - they're beautiful boats. Since you are already spending big money on a new high-end boat, I highly recommend you go with twins not only for the safety factor, but also the performance gains and better/easier control/maneuverability around the docks. A single engine on the back of a 28' boat around the docks can get very tricky if the wind and current conditions are unfavorable. When I was looking for a boat to keep down in San Diego, I wanted to keep it under 30' to fit in dry stack and I wouldn't have even considered a single engine rig, even though there are several single engine models to choose from under 30'. Twins are the only way to go once you get over about 25' imo.

Congrats on the Axopar! I love their boats.
I agree with getting twins due to handling at the docks and not being stranded if you lose an engine. I'm sure it'll help resale value in the future also.

Thanks for everyone's feedback! I am certainly leaning towards the twins, especially since I have already sea trialed a 28 with twins. Just for comparisons sake I am having the broker see if I can get some stick time in a single.

But, all of your arguments about redundancy, performance, maneuvering are in the right direction of my thinking too.

I boat on the Great Lakes and have lost a drive twice. The first time, I had to wait 4 hours for Sea Tow. The second time I was fortunate enough to flag another boater and they towed me 15 miles to the nearest harbor. Next boat will have twins.