Twin Etec 115's for a 23'?

[eggsuckindog]

I did think a lot about single vs. twin. Should I get 230hp in 2 motors or 225hp in one motor? And I think I want 2, here are some reasons I want to consider twins:

1) Initial purchasing cost is not that much more in the specific Etec case (not sure of other makes).

2) I've had my 1994 twins for 16 years. I think I would have replaced a single engine by now. So I am really getting my moneys worth. I've swapped parts from one to the other to troubleshoot over the years, this helps with maintenance costs and I'm deferring my initial costs so in my opinion there is some savings here.

3) This is a personal one but I use the boat exclusively in the Florida Keys where it is shallow. A single engine would reduce my draft by probably more that 6" because it would be in the middle of the V compared to twins hanging up off the bottom of the V.

4) Maneuverability in marinas and canal systems with twins is much easier.

5) Counter-rotating improves the ride in rough water because the single prop will walk the transom slightly to a side as the hull comes out of the water.

The cons I see in the twins are the higher maintenance costs and the extra weight.

I'm not sure the fuel for 1 motor is more than 2 motors? In the performance reports I read on the Etecs both are real close to 3 mpg (twin 115's vs. a single 225). You have 8 smaller cylinders being fed fuel compared to 6 larger cylinders... More drag with 2 engines... this is a hard one.

This is what makes this a great forum, and I appreciate all the input!!!

About my prop make, I got them from the OMC dealer when my engines were bought and I think they are Vipers circa 1994. The dealer had put 15X21's on to start with but I could not plane on 1. It was a luxury to try the props until I liked specific ones.

I will give an answer on each point, I am familar with the keys and the boat as I had a 23 Sceptre that I switched from twin 150 Mercs to a V8 Rude 275.

1. check the 130's I don't think you would be happy in any seas with driveability, that hull is a high performance hull and it does like HP - I bet you not will plane a 23 w/115HP. I'm surprised you can with a 140 and 19" props

2. This will not be like your 140's - you can't work on these things - they just aren't as simple as the old days - honest. - It was easy - carbs, spark,fuel pump no more - 3 fuel pumps, modules, wires, hoses everywhere LOL and I only have EFI not DFI.
- motors depreciate, your hull will not - 2 motors depreciating vs 1

3. I think negligable - a 225 or 250 doesn't weigh 800lbs - and you have trim, my hull bumps first, when I'm real skinny

4 agreed, twins are so sweet in close - but you could get the hang of it, not that bad

5 Disagree, I had twins - the single rode like I bought a new boat, hull was much more responsive to trim and rode higher on the chines - it felt nimble like a 20 you really could drive it in seas - it was an amazing difference

6. The maintainence will be minimal for good while, other than filters and cables - you will use more oil and fuel. The 2 smaller motors will still use more than 1 of equal HP.

In closing, these new motors are highly reliable- in most cases, everything breaks but they are a far cry from 20 yrs ago - especially the Etec's. With a single I truely think you could see almost 4mpg at cruise as I have seen reported for the V6.

The biggest factor after 16 yrs - we didn't have SEA TOW for $150 a yr, honest they come right out and drag your azz home faster than 1 motor would run you. So call them, fish some, have a beer they will be there before you know it. I used them for the first time this year, I had them and it still was kinda scary the first time - no worries anymore. The first time they had to come 20mi up Tampa Bay and thats how long it took him - I fished.

Great boat always wondered way more people didn't buy them, although they came late but I thought it was perfect, but CC's were the rage.

good luck whatever you decide, it can't be a bad decision

[doodlebug]

Glad to see you did not sell her.I talked to you down around big pine key about 4 yrs ago I had the bracketed sceptre with the twin 250's.I switched to 150 optis and
now I get 3mpg or better at cruse the boat would not get
on top with one 250 shut down but it will with the 150's

[Fr. Frank]

I was reading on another list and saw where a guy with an 1985 23' Chris Craft Scorpion WA is running twin '05 115 Etecs, and claims 3.3 mpg at 24 mph & 3800 rpms with 19" pitch props. He said he has to change the prop to get up on plane with one motor, though, changing from a 19" to a 15". Nothing on what kind of props, though, or on what his WOT speed is.
I put the data above plus the 115 Etec gear ratio and calculated slip into a prop calculator and came up with 39 mph at 6000 rpms.

This morning in Destin I saw a early 20' Seacraft SF with the wide transom cutout rigged with twin brand new 60hp Mercury 4-strokes. The boat looked good. It was in front of me trailering west on US 98, and had a Mississippi plate on the trailer.

[bigpine33]

Thanks Fr. Frank, the 23' Chris Craft performance is great information. My current thoughts are the Etec 130hp motors may be the best option. They are 15lbs more weight each but have the possibility of getting up one one without a prop change.

[thedog]

I have a pair of 150 etecs on my 23 center console and sometime think I need a pair of 175's or 200's, the boat goes great with the 150's
I would think IMHO that anything smaller would not do so well. with 4 blade props and a little trim I can plane at 18 knts. but when things are flat at 4100 rpm I am cruising at 30 knts and getting a little better than 2mpg.
your boat looks like it has more weight than my center console and I think your performance will suffer a lot , putting too much strain on the smaller engines and decreased life.

[Briguy]

I have a 23 CC with an enclosed transom and bracket. The motors are 2001 115 Suzuki's. They cost about 7 grand each back then and are only slightly more now. The block is tried and true.

The boat is perfectly matched. I can stay on plane down to 15kts. At 4000 rpm's I run 25kts and burn 10.5 gph for 2.8mpg. A fast cruise of 4600 gets me to 31-32kts and WOT I am at 39.5kts and that's with a radar arch and bimini.
I run 24" Stiletto props and my max rpm is around 5950.

These motors are a little heavy at 426lbs each. I believe 115 etec's are about 360 but don't quote me. If one of my motors blew up I'd just buy another one. Part of me would like a single Suzi 300 though but I cannot justify the 20 grand.