[kerneltugboat]

Jim,

I think it would, just by reading several articles on boats with Similar weight in inboard form. If you go to VP's Website they have a repower configurator and I put in a weight of 4500 lbs at 23 ft and it calculates 34.5 Knots Top End with the D3-190 with the duoprop, so I figured 30 Knots may be realistic, but it may do more. My boat should be around 36-38 Knots top end I should cruise at 30 Knots under 10 GPH, I am hoping to get closer to the True World Fuel numbers at 22-25 knots. You can also see the Fuel burn charts and it looks like the D3 would burn 5 GPH at 3250 RPM, wich I figure should be pushing it between 23-25 knots. We will not really know until someone puts one in a 23, but I think it would be an awesome ride. Also, the True World Marine 28' boats were the inspiration to do what I did with mine. I went with VP because my local mechanic was a dealer and I wanted one company to deal with if I had an issue, but the Yanmar engine and Mercruiser drives are great as well. The only downside to the D3 would be it is all aluminum as opposed to my Cast Iron D6, but for normal use it should be fine. I think the D4 is a little too heavy for a 23 (1400lbs) vs the 720 of the D3. I also considered the Steyr, at 250 HP, it is very light as well and may work in the 23 mated to a Bravo I Diesel drive, but I stuck with VP. I will let you know how it goes in a few weeks.

Dan