what do you guys think of these...

baja 40 triple 500 efi 76-78 mph
sonic 38 or 42 twin 500 efi don't know the speed
formula 382 twin 500 efi 75- 77 mph

speed is not the number 1 issue
cabin is important (able to stand)
gas: triple scares me a bit

on the other hand, would'nt a twin 500 at 45-50 mph, burn as much as a triple at the same speed?

I heard about 40 baja cracked on the bulkhead for unknown reason... true or false?

what is your opinion ?

thanks!

I think with todays designs a triple is no longer needed, I look at it as 1 more possible problem and the added expense of running 3 engines and 3 drives. I would look at a well powered twin over a triple engine boat.

Risky hit it out the park....I second that

Brian ( Bajaholic) has one w/3 496HO's.

He seems to like his, maybe he'll chime in.

The common theme with trip owners seems to be the fuel consumption assumptions made by 99% of non-trip owners. Trip owners claim to get better cruise efficencies, upwards of a mile to the gallon.
Personally I'd like to own a tri-powered boat just because I never have.
For all pratical intents & purposes a staggered 700/NXT powered twin 40+' boat would be a better fit for most when compared to a trip 500/525 bravo powered boat (same hulls).
The extra 100+\- HP total you have with trips is actually a loss in speed over the 700 package & will burn more fuel at WOT.
Still it is hard to deny the wow factor of three engines vs. two to dock hookers.

I'm running 2,100 to run 30 on GPS. On the other hand my hand gets tired at the end of a day of boating after turning keys off and on all day I'm running a straight bottom 42 Fountain with triple 525 SC's and told it will run 86 GPS. I've been 76 GPS so far, just got the boat on Saturday and I'm getting use to it before I lay into it. The cabin isn't as tight as I had thought, with that said I'm 6'3" and can't stand in it. Also add some bling factor for three motors making noise at the same time

Like Jason said... The uninformed have created a perception about the triples that is catagorically wrong, but has really hurt the triple market.

With triples you get WAY more bang for your buck than high powered twins. You save substantially in overall running costs, yes you are running 3 engines but untill WOT they are much more economical. The boat is more efficiant in the water, and because you are running smaller engines, your upkeep and life of drives is much better.

OK now here is the biggest secret... The triples were much cheaper in the first place. When we ordered our 40, it was a $45K upgrade to go to the 525 twins, and only a $30K upgrade to add the 3rd HO Engine. We saved $15k right off the bat, then you add in the 6 mph increse over the 525's, it was an easy choice. Did I also mention, triple 496HO's is about as bullet proof of a package as you can get.

Down side, it costs you about $200 more per year on maintenance, and playing with props is no fun, buying 3 at a time.

Oh.... The last probelem is when you go out for dinner or a stop for that matter, and if you have done a few things like we have under the hatch and like to show it off.... It takes a while to get that first beverage because every one wants to talk to you!

I have no idea what you are talking about the bulkhead, I have never heard that about any 40 outlaw? The biggest problem with EVERY 40 I have ever been in is the cabin door rattles enough to drive you crazy. We have been working on ous since I got it... I think we have finally figured it out, (ours ratlles 90% less than any other one I have been in, but it is still a work in process.)

Other than that, It handles the rough water great, has the "outlaw look" and is an overall great value

you know what? that's how I fell about triple. I wish I had one . I believe it's not much more diffence in gas... BUT, I think I'm in the ''scared group', of people, until I take a ride with my twin boat to a certain spot, followed by a triple, doing the same route, same speed, and then compare... I'd be really curious to see the $$$ difference !

bajaholc, do you have any pictures of yours?

Yes, But I do not have the upgraded membership in order to post it here. However, you can see it @:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em58hqLv9PA

It is about 2.5 minutes in.