Single or Twin O/B 's?

[mad mahi]

I am looking at purchasing a new Regulator 23' c/c. I walked into the dealer and told him that I wanted it with twin 115 HP Yammie 4 strokes. Salesman proceeded to let me know that the twin 115's were not the best set up for that hull. He showed me that the preferred package (as per spec sheet on tests done by Regulator and Yamaha) would be to go with a single 225 4stroke, followed by a single 250 HPDI 2 stroke, followed by twin 200 EFI,followed by twin 150 hp 4's and finally the twin 115's if I really insisted.<br /><br />Showed me the anticipated performance looking at the boat with a typical load of 6000lbs for boat, engines, fuel, anglers and gear. The sheets show the best Wide open, cruise and GPH being the best with the first package (single 225 4 stroke) decreasing down to my choice of twin 115 4 strokes. There is a real decrease with the twin 115 AND 150 4 strokes as compared to the twin 200 EFI or 'better". <br /><br />I am confused! Why the decrease in performance with twins? I will attempt some long offshore trips but those would be the exception, not the rule. As dealer explains it, if I am doing frequent offshore, I would be better in a 26 or 32, which I would expect him to say. But when I'm willing to spend the extra on the twins for the 23 he says I'm spending good money (lots) when it could be used elsewhere. It's not a question of availability, since he has a couple of Regulators that can be ordered the way I want them for delivery in July /August, and all the Yamaha engines are in real good supply! <br /><br />Have I found the "non-existent" truthful salesman? Or, is there something behind him trying to save me money?<br /><br />BTW, the boat has a 24 deg deadrise, trim tabs and 180 gal fuel cap.<br /><br /><br />TSLTW

 

[rlouns]

Re: Single or Twin O/B 's?

I am no expert - by no means - but in my opinion the saleman is correct. I have always been told that you sacrifice the performance for the safety of making it back home. In other words the second engine is for an emergency like the failure of one of the motors. You always have one to get you back in. (I would ass-u-me that to be for offshore lone trips)

 

[Hooty]

Re: Single or Twin O/B 's?

Yo big e,<br />I don't have the answer(s) either, but keep this post out in front because I'll bet there will be some good discussions about the topic.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />hooty

 

[masondr]

Re: Single or Twin O/B 's?

Not an expert, but I believe- in general-, that for equivalent horsepower, twins will weigh more, have more lower unit drag, and have less prop efficiency than a single. The weight of a kicker motor might offset the weight advantage of a single, depending on the size, but the drag and prop efficiency advantages would still remain. The other side of this is that with twins, you have more HP left to get home with in an engine failure event. There appear to be other factors mixed in the test-4 stroke vs 2-stroke, HP range from 230 to 400, engine technology-efi,etc, which complicate understanding the results. Don't know enough about the specific engines and details of the test results{what "best" means} to sort this this out. Wish I could help further.You may already know all of this and more. Good luck.

 

[SeaDawg]

Re: Single or Twin O/B 's?

Hey, I'll bite too. Big e, if it were my boat, I would go with 225 HP 4-stroke, and install a 25 HP 4-stroke kicker.<br /><br />If the big boy dies, the 25 will SLOWLY get you back in, and it will keep your batteries charged while you call for help too.<br /><br />I would expect the 225 to use less fuel than similar HP twins, and weigh less too.<br /><br />But again, it's your boat............

 

[DJ]

Re: Single or Twin O/B 's?

Two engines do not mean twice the speed or power. You have the weight of two, the drag of two and about a 50% improvement in performance over a single engine. There are alot of variables. The twins would perform about like a single 175. Alot of it has to do with the amount of deadrise in the hull. The twin spacing may put the props farther below the hull than is optimal for performance.<br /><br />I seriously doubt that a single 115 (in case of one failure) would plane the boat. You would be better off with a 225 or so and a 25 hp. kicker. Either way, you'll get home albeit-slow.<br /><br />It sounds like the boat company went through alot of testing to see what performed the best. They have a vested interest in this, in that they want the boat to perform correctly.<br /><br />I think the salesman is being candid with you.

 

[Fishcamp]

Re: Single or Twin O/B 's?

DJohn has an excellent point: If only one of the twins won't plane the boat (and I seriously doubt if a 115 will), you're no better off than with a big single and a kicker. Either way, with a single 115 or a 25 hp engine, your boat will operate like a displacement hull, but you'll get more fuel economy with the 25 and won't give up much speed. If you troll much, you could also use it for trolling. Even though it's a little big, it still beats trolling with the big engine(s).<br />All that said, if it were my boat, I'd go with the big single 225 hp 4-stroke and a 20-25 hp 4-stroke kicker. Even though expensive, compare it to 2-200's and I think you could get the 225 single, pay for the 25 kicker, and have a LOT of beer money left over. Operating costs should also be quite a bit lower. I think you may have found that elusive "honest salesman".<br />Good luck- sounds like a great boat!

 

[mad mahi]

Re: Single or Twin O/B 's?

Robert L, Hooty, Dave Seadrive, Sea Dawg, D Johns, Fishcamp: YOU DA MEN! Can't thank you enough for the quick response and the information. Wish I'd have remembered about this site a while ago! Thanks again and you can bet that if I have any more questions, this is the first place I will go ! "Til the next time, tight lines and fair winds!<br /><br />- Big e<br /><br />TSLTW

 

[RipRider]

Re: Single or Twin O/B 's?

I would definitely go with the single 225HP 4-stroke and the kicker. Also look into the 250HP OX66. It is a proven, solid, reliable engine that gets good fuel and oil economy. It would perform nicely on that boat. The 23' Regulator at the AC Boat Show had a single OX66 250HP. I feel that new engines are so reliable that you can get away with the single.<br /><br />Tight lines,<br />Adam