27 Power question

[Old'sCool]

Yam 350 is ~ 800#so hp to weight ratio is not good IMHO.

[77SceptreOB]

Originally Posted by Old'sCool

Yam 350 is ~ 800#so hp to weight ratio is not good IMHO.

The 7 Marine 557 isn't light either weighing in at 1045#, but you are getting 207 extra HP compared to the Yami 350.

Hard to beat the Rude E-Tec 300 h.p. for power to weigh ratio (528 lbs)

[Scampi 814]

Originally Posted by cdavisdb

Horse power might be adequate, but torque is likely to be an issue. Planing at low speed is where it will show up.

7 Marine 557 torque = 550 ft lb. 1.8 lb. per hp. price $68k. Yam 350 2.4 lb. hp.

[CaptLloyd]

Being that it will be out island, I would go for twins. The new engines are quite reliable, but with little support close by...I'm just saying.

[gofastsandman]

One motah or 3. 300 hp is fine. You ask of balance. You know.
Cheers,
GFS

[Fr. Frank]

Ken, the Royal Bahamian Defense Force used to run a 27' SeaMaster with transom-mounted twin 220 hp Yamaha's. The boat was converted from twin 165 hp Mercruiser's. It was capable of about 38-40 knots, and could (just) plane on one engine with a propeller change.

That being said, I echo the idea of keeping with twins.

If the Hat is over at Treasure Cay on the east side of the Abacos, and you've taken the 27' "Tender" to fish the Berry Islands for the day, it would be completely suckish to have your one and only motor decide to quit halfway between Little Harbour and Laroda bay.

If you're going outside of US territorial waters, either sails and a motor, or two motors are a must. The second motor can be a worthy "kicker", but two motors are a must.

Maybe Denny or someone else has made the crossing to the Bahamas more than I, but they'd be hard pressed to do so.

I grew up within walking distance of Lake Worth Inlet. With my grandfather, I made my first crossing to Jack Tar @ West End at the age of 5 in 1965, and I planned, navigated, and drove a 45' Rybo across before my 10th birthday.

All in all, I estimate have made/been at the helm for somewhere around 150-200 crossings from the US to the Bahamas, in boats ranging from a 13' Whaler (15-20 crossings in company) a 19' Robalo (8-10 crossings) a 20' SeaCraft (50+ crossings), to a 1926 40' Matthews (2x) to a 45' Rybovich (40-50 crossings) to an 87' Lantana (once).

I offer the perspective of experience. Keep twin engines, or a single with a good kicker. As I've said here before, I once came all the way back from Memory Rock to Ft. Pierce on a 9.9hp Chrysler kicker motor on the back of a 25' Robalo. Not something I'd want to do again, but I got us home.

[flyingfrizzle]

I would think that the yammie 350 would be heavy a bit but no more than a pair of v6 motors. It looks like the bracket is a dusky bracket just like the one I had and modified. If it is that is one heavy rascal. I would change the bracket to something a bit lighter and more updated. If it is a dusky it will have a part number on the bottom of the tub starting with a "D" towards the back of the vee. I was planning on installing a pair of 3.0 225 hp mercury's I had on the back of her if I would of got down there to the boat before it was sold. Like F Franks said, I would want twins down there and would not trust a single even if it was a brand new one. Far as hp, I think the 350hp would work but I would go 450+up to be able to plane out on one motor if there was a failure. 300 hp would push her just fine I would think due to I have just one of the 225hp motors on my 27' now and it will hit 43-45 mph on the wrong over propped wheel now. I know there is a big difference between my 27' and this one but it is surprising how well the seacraft hulls do on such little power. The big 27' might be an exception to this but it would probably do better than other vessels similar in size. I think a new pair of 225-250hp optis or etechs would be be best on a boat like this or a nice pair of yammie fours.

[DonV]

Ken, ya should have bought my brother's twin 225 yamahas before they sold. Would have been perfect. I'm in agreement with the twins, besides the holes for twins are already in the bracket and for obvious reasons, we like to keep power drills away from you.

[Bigshrimpin]

Originally Posted by NoBones

It will be used as a tender for a 70 Hatteras M/Y that will live
it's life in the outer islands of the Bahama's..

Ken - When did you get a 70ft yacht?

I vote for twin 150's. BTW - Great looking 27.

[kmoose]

The 350 Yamaha's are great motors and would be a solid choice for a tender. Even though the weight is a little on the high side you would be minus the extra drag of the second lower unit. Twins....ehhh double trouble and expense. Modern 4 stroke outboards are well beyond the reliability we have been used to in the past. If you want a trouble free, low maintainance motor that doesn't need expensive oil and gas, go with the 350.