Hello,
I was wondering if I could get some opinions on a 33' TRIPLE powered outboard center console or repowering it with TWINS. I am looking for a decent, older "go-fast" center console, like Avanti, Carrera, Catera, Baja, Scarab, Dakota, Monza, Donzi (although I don't like the rear seating arrangements in their boats), Marlago or Concept. Some of them have 2 stroke Triple 225's or 250's. That would be 675-750hp. I was wondering if removing the weight of one motor and switching to twin 275 or 300 four strokes might give similar performance with the weight reduction and drag. I'm not trying to make a rocket ship, but, ideally I want to be able to cruise around 35-40mph (with decent fuel economy) and 60-65mph top end is fine. What do ya'll think?

A couple of heavy four strokes aren't a lot lighter than 3 x two strokes so the weight issue isn't that relevant.
My Fountain runs mid 60's any day with triple 275's. For a laugh one day, I tilted the centre engine up and she still ran about 55 on the two outer engines. With the right props and setup for twins, she'd probably run 60+ on two engines.

That said, having triples is nice, they almost go to sleep at lazy revs and a nice cruise speed. Very economical because they're not working hard. With the work involved to change rigging from triples to twins (or vice versa) I wouldn't do it.

Outboards are pretty low maintenance, well maintained triple set up is pretty easy on the wallet and nice to have when you're a little way offshore or when you're carrying a bit more weight than normal.

RR

I don't have first hand experience with triples so I can't comment on that. I do know that the 36 Concept with twin 400's has broke 80 MPH.

as stated tripp o/b has its advantages over twins
I have tripps on my boat and lost a gearcase on 1
still jumps on a plane and cruises at a good speed back to dock
vrsing idling all day to get back
the new CCs buiolt for the 400s are lighter layups than the older CCs
if u have the wallet for 2 400s go for twins
but older hull on twin 300 4 strokers
id rather have the 225-300 pro max tripps
very dependable motors for many hrs and 3 blades for planning,cruising and less stress on motors

check on insurance a 33 with ttripps may not be insurable or real exspensive

Yeah, the owner said he gets close to 2 mpg at cruise with triple 2003 225 Optimax on a 36 Concept I was looking at. Seems pretty amazing. Maintenance was the other consideration, but with two strokes, I guess there's less to worry about than the 4 strokes. BTW, I'm new to outboards. I'm learning as I go. An Avanti 33 boat has triple 2005 Mercury 250 EFI 2 Strokes. He also said that he gets close to 2 mpg on his boat at cruise RPM. Dang!

You've been quoted pretty good fuel numbers. My Verados, bit bigger but 4 stroke economy, on a 34' Fountain get 1.4 mpg on Smartcraft gauges at 4,000 rpm and a little under 50 mph. Difference anywhere between 3,000 and 5,000 is insignificant, maybe 0.1 or 0.2 so I cruise according to the sea conditions.

thehulltruth.com can probably give you more info to help. I searched a lot of stuff there before choosing Fountain with trips. Good luck,

RR

I'm getting around 2 MPG at 45-50 MPH with twin 300's.

Here are my numbers on a 34 Baja CC with twin 250xs's

30 mph 1.9 mpg
40 mph 1.5 mpg
top speed 64.....mpg....don't ask

Running 23 Mirage +'s

Does the cost of two stroke oil impact the decision to go twin or trip ,? Or two or four stroke ?