I just picked up a different boat and I'm trying to decide if I'm going to keep it or not. I currently have a Formula 242 with a 530 hp N/A BBC. The boat I just picked up is an '89 Formula 292 SR1 with stock 454 Mags. My question here is how much worse the the 292 going to be on fuel? I know that the 292 is going to have more room and ride better, but I don't want to sell my 242 only to find out the 292 is going to break the bank with fuel usage. Also anyone that is familar with the 292, what is the top speed of this boat?

I dont know but I researched this well before I bought twins. Everything Ive heard is that 2x454's will suck more fuel than a single 502/525, but not by much. One draw back is your always going to have maint times two. But if one engines breaks you would still have one left and wouldnt be stranded and or paying a boat load for sea tow. Also 454's are cheaper and parts are more readily available than anything else.

16 mouths to feed instead of 8, it's a no brainier over here.

My 30' twin 425HP boat uses less fuel at cruise than my single 600HP did. Just depends on the boat / motors. WOT, it will certainly use more.

Yep , but only working half as hard .

Thats kind of my take! At cruise I can see the twin being equal or maybe a bit better. At WTO the twins are going to suck more fuel, I'm quite sure of that!

You will use a bit more but not double, keep in mind your also pushing a heavier boat, which would be a bit more either way.
With twins you can cruize at a lower rpm and less load on the motors, which is a savings, I have seen 2 mpg average cruising in the mid 40 range.

It may use less fuel at cruise but how do the speeds compare? Is it 10 mph slower? I find it hard to believe that two engines pushing a heavier boat could use less fuel than a single. Was the single supercharged?

If my decisions about engines and HP where made on fuel usage I would get out of this sport or hobby whatever you want to call it. Try a sail boat I hear their really good on fuel consumption.

I already have a sailboat! Lets be honest, fuel isn't $2.00 a gallon anymore, A fill up is close to double what it was last year and I like to use my boat not look at it. So with that said I want to make a smart decision here. Either way I think I'm going to just have to put both boats in the water run them side by side and compare fuel use and then decide what I want to spend on gas this summer. I'm happy spending a bit more on gas but I'm not down with doubling my fuel bill this summer.