Well that's something, they made it through one poker run ;) I'd hope so!

So........honest opinions here. IF you were to move the tanks and cockpit forward on a 28 skater, do you think it's possible to have a decent balance with a set of these? I'm seriously considering it since I wanna do a flat deck conversion in the future possibly.......

Jr.

UI have been thinking about that for a while since I found out about the motor coming out some time ago. I would have to say it depends on how you will use the boat. For anything other than flat water not sure it is a good idea.
1) I do not think moving the tanks for CG is the right solution. It will help but what happens as the fuel burns off?
2) Moving the cockpit is an option but would ruin the look of the 28 IMO.
3) You could achieve offsetting the weight by adding a ballast tank or just plain old lead in the bow.
4) Also since they are a in-line 6 not sure how that will effect the handling also.
5) You could fill in the notch and bolt them to the transom. This would help CG
By the time you do all that plus the weight of the motor I am not sure how much actual gain in MPH you will get over a pair of strong 300x motors. You may also want to strengthen the transom to hold those things also.

Ron, did you go out today? Freezing in Florida , Juts relative! 400"s on a 28 INSANE!! Just drive one w/ 300Xs's. All the weight they can handle. All you arm chair quarterbacks don't know what your are talking about. A 28 is just barely able to handle 300xs's. A 30 or 32 with stern weight just adds flight to the bow! I thought that the goal wad to lighten the boat! Or is just Me!! I only drive mine on relatively flat water and love it. seeing photos and talking to those who use them of open water WTF!!! We need high HP, LIGHET WEIGHT, reliable motors for our small Skaters!

You guys are crazy even considering hanging 1,400 pounds off the back of a 28. My buddy that had triple 2.5s (1,200 pounds total) admitted that it was only good on flat water (Lake Havasu). I've personally owned two 28s that I rerigged from 2.5/ROS to 3.0/3.2 and I can tell you that it is a drastic difference just adding 200 pounds more to the transom. I can't even imagine adding another 400 pounds to what I have back there now! Why do you think you've never seen a 28 with triple 3.0s or 3.2s - because the boat would suck! It baffles me that you guys think that just because it's still only twins, that mounting 1,400 pounds off the back of a 28 Skater would be ok. It never was ok before the 400s came out, and it still isn't. Remember, the 28 was designed for twin 375 pound 2.4s, we're pushing it running 500 pound 3.2s. And just for the record, that DCB M29 isn't going to be some great performing boat with those 400s - I'd say 110 at best and it will suck in the rough (as all DCBs do anyways). What's so funny about the internet, is that a bunch of guys are gonna' start running these big heavy pig motors on smaller boats and saying that they work great, yet in reality, the boats are going to perform like ****! I can't wait to run past any sub-30' cat with 400s on the back with my 300s in real world conditions (wakes, turns, rough water, etc.).......... Rant over, sorry guys. :D

How long do you guys think it will take DBR or others to pump these 400's up to 475 HP's? I give it a year.

Its not going to help.

Dave and Joe won't ever touch these motors...........they're two-stroke guys. The Verados have been out for years and there's nobody yet offering performance mods for those - this is just another Verado. I'd bet money Mercury has a lock on these ECUs anyways (just like they've done on the '14 and up 3.2XS computers), which won't allow any modifications to these motors.

just playing with hp/weight and not considering torque and other variables....such as actual hp vs rated output

300X = 480lb = 1.6 lb/hp
300XS = 505lb = 1.68 lb/hp
350XS DBR kit = 505lb = 1.44lb/hp
400 Verado = 668lb = 1.67lb/hp
2.5/280 Offshore = 375lb = 1.339 lb/hp

what the he!!......
300X @ 320 Hp = 1.5lb/hp

Just throwing that it out there......Remember fellas, your talking to a guy who put twin 505lbs 300hp motors on the back of a 22 ft tunnel with a 850 lbs layup.... :cool-smiley-011: