Twin engine Heat?
 

Does Nordic have an option for twins in the heat? It seems there are other buiders that use twins in the same class as the Heat. What would be the advantages/disadvantages of this setup. I know there would be extra weight and complexity issues, but would the extra performance be enough to warrant such a package? Twin 800sci in a 28 footer? Cruise speed of 80 and top speed of ?????? Does Nordic sell boats without power and transom cutouts? What do you guys think?

Remember I'm stuck in Afghanistan for another 3 months with nothing better to do than dream up stuff.

Re: Twin engine Heat?
 

It would be a nice option to have a couple of small blocks in there. I had the same thoughts when I had my Heat. However, the fuel tanks are mounted on the hull sides instead of between the stringers. There is no room for another engine since the tanks take up too much room.

Re: Twin engine Heat?
 

Sandcraft,
I think there are efficiency isses here too. There are several boats here (none Nordics) in the 26 to 30 ft range with twin small blocks. None of them (to my knowledge) are as fast as the single big blocks.
You have nearly double the weight, and the drag of 2 gearcases to overcome.
It's so easy to make big HP with a single, and it's 1200/1500 lbs lighter.
Regards,
Steve

Re: Twin engine Heat?
 

So, has anyone tried running two surface drives off a single big block?

Re: Twin engine Heat?
 

id be more interested in runnin two engines off a single surface drive, the only gains i can see with small blocks is redudancy, and from what ive heard its pretty rare to hurt an arneson :cool:

bump on a old thread but we have a early 90 heat that came with twin 454's. Being the non stepped and carbed engines it runs around 66 GPS everyday. We have seen 70 on the radar gun before with ideal conditions.

We bought it several years ago from a junkyard that used to be a Nordic dealer in NJ. Apparently there was a Nordic dealer up there and it went out of business and this boat was wrapped in plastic and put in storage until we bought it. It now has just over 100 hours on it.

Hello Ace,
That is interesting. I've never seen or even heard of a twin engine Heat. Can you post a picture?
Welcome to the Nordic forum.
Regards,
Steve

Twin 454's and only runs 70?

I have a 2008 Heat with a 496 HO and Dana headers. It runs 70+ no matter what and will do about 73 or so under good conditions. I agree with the earlier responder- why the need for twins? I'm sure a 600sci would run close to 90!

GPS...for real? I was lucky to get 62, 65 max out of mine in the summer. I just can't believe that number...sorry. Maybe something's changed at Nordic with the Heat, something between '02 and '08...can anybody help with that?

No kidding- GPS confirmed multiple times.

I spoke with a guy who had an early 2000's open bow heat and he said the same thing as Indy. He could only get mid 60's out of his as well. However, he was running a 24 pitch prop (mine is a 26). I do know that the open bows are generally a little slower due to more weight and less favorable aerodynamics. Also, the newer boats (not sure what year they started, maybe 2006 or so) are wood free and weigh about 400 lbs less. Also, the guys at Unlimited told me that they have had boats, including mine, that came from the factory in need of throttle adjustment. In other words, throttle down did not actually generate WOT. They said that mine was that way and would only run mid 60's before they adjusted it. Just a few things to consider..... But I am totally serious about the speed. It also sounds much better. Though, I don't really notice much difference below 60 mph. Above 60 the headers definitely help.

Wow...that's a heck of a difference in boats. I tried the 26p, 26p labbed, stock 24, labbed 24 and still got nowhere close to 70. 67mph once, with the tide, cool day, low fuel, with the wind, one passenger, no crap on board, slight chop, never duplicated. You can see how I'm skeptical about the numbers I've seen recently.

I would like to see some pictures of the twin engined Heat.

Chris

Here are a few, nevermind all the other junk around it in the garage. It is a 1990, I don't recall them calling it a heat then but it is 28 feet and very similar to today's heat. It would be nice to get some more speed out of it... was thinking risers/manifolds would be a start. Its spinning 25p mirages now around 4500 RPM. I think the twin's downfall is its weight, if I recall correctly we had it on a set of truck scales and it weighed out to around 8,000 lbs

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...2/IMG_0345.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...2/IMG_0346.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...2/IMG_0347.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...2/IMG_0349.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...2/IMG_0350.jpg

It has 3 gas tanks, two sides and one middle. It holds 120 gal all together
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...2/IMG_0351.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...2/IMG_0352.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...2/IMG_0354.jpg

Anyone ever seen one like this?

Ace,
That is too cool. A real piece of Nordic history.
Regarding performance, have you tried removing the whale tales and running it? You may have installed them to help planing or reduce porpoising, but they can reduce top end speed. Some Bravo 24" 4 blades might help. Some Danas would get your weight down and give you some exhaust relief. The stock cast iron exhaust manifolds (and you have 4) weigh a ton.
And, some additional horsepower never hurts :drink:.........
Best Regards,
Steve

The boat came factory with those ginormous whale tales. We asked one of the guys who had a say in the development of the hull/rigging about the whale tales shortly after buying the boat and he said to leave them on that they help porpoising issues and don't hurt speed. I have a really hard time believing that they don't hurt the speed though, I'll try that next time I take it out and report back.

I'm trying to figure out if there is a rev limiter on these 454's I would guess it is 5,000-5,100? Doesn't it make more sense to spin the engine out to its redline with a smaller pitch prop? I'll have to check to make sure the butterfly is opening to its fullest, it would be pretty dumb if all it needed was a throttle adjustment all these years and its really a 70 mph boat everyday.

Thank-you for the pictures....Very Cool !!!

Chris

the 7.4's run in the 4400-4800 range, so you are in that, may want to try a set of mirage plus's in a 23p? just throwin some ideas out there

that is a sweet display of nordic history, thanks for posting those pics!

That's a very cool boat. Thanks for sharing. Never seen a Nordic like that.

Love the pics! Beautiful boat. Thanks for posting

Hey guys still have the 1990 twin Nordic heat, any idea what something like this is worth? Been stored indoors it's whole life and has a whopping 180 hrs on her. Have a friend that's interested but hard to place a value on her.