My buddy has a 96 42' with triple 500 carb motors.Very nice boat. Tops out near or over 90mph. Will plane on any two. I do not see any negatives

Thanks for pointing people in my direction my fountain is in very good condition runs a no bull**** 116mph only reason for selling , I bought the Rare Breed MTI , my first cat! I have had Fountains since 1990. Built one fast thriple , started with 3 720hp the upgraded Bravos lived, bumped the motors to 840hp and i killed a drive every weekend. Staggered #6s are the only to go. I have had zero problems!

Im going to have to say stick with the staggered. Keep the engines and get a pair of 650-700hp engines.

The nicest part of triples is if you lose a motor you're still coming home on plane at a decent speed. You won't be idling home on one. You can also run mild power.

Owming a trip boat I kinda hsve to agree with that, however it is a double edge sword. You can often buy more boat cheaper. If you go that way make sure you like it and plan keeping it a wile.

Trips are also VERY delicate to insure... read expensive.

So can someone fill me in on why triple engine boats have lower resale.
Seems like 3 engines at 500hp vs 2 at 750 would be about the same speed (within a couple mph) burn about the same fuel (same total hp same gal/hr), cost about the same insurance (rate is based speed which is figured out by hp).

Thanks,
Rick

-50% more chances that something "dun blowed up".
-feeding 50% more engines.
-50% more engine and drive weight.
-Most insurance company won't touch them.
-There are some inefficency issues regarding the middle prop fighting one of the two other. Trip 500HPs are marginaly faster than twin 500HP's from what I have seen around here over the years.

I like mine, fast, smooth ride, without being supercharged. My buddy has a 94 with triple 525's that runs 87 all day long. Plus I like the fact of having a extra spare motor. This is my tenth boat to own. I have driven staggered, twins, and triples. Just personal opion. Tom

tomtbone1993

what do you have in your 42 triple. What year, (Step , 2 Step ,No step?)engines ,and your speed?
Thanks