Let's talk twins

[mrobertson]

OK gang - i already have a fully restored 23CC with a new Yam 250 4 stroke, so i am well aware that most agree this hull runs best with a big single. I am thinking about a new build. My focus on this go round would be to end up with a full transom and a pair of engines and a boat that is designed for offshore fishing.

I have enough experience to know that these boats are already stern heavy and twins can affect self bailing features, etc.

I guess what i'm really asking is if there is another hull that is better suited for twins. I was thinking about an older model 25 SeaVee. However, most think they run best with singles and they have very low freeboard in the stern.

Whatta you say................23 SC with twins, or should i look for a different boat more designed for twins.

I'd love to hear from guys that are running twins whether or not you are happy and what would you change.

-Mike

[DonV]

My 2 cents. I do not think twins are really necessary 25' and under, I know that's a grey area however with today's outboard engine dependability I'd go with a single. However from 26' and above, especially when/if you move to an eight and a half, to even a nine foot beam with longer boats, I'd have twins.

Oh yeah, that 250 Yami on your 23CC has to be perfect.

[mrobertson]

Hey Don -

My 23 has a 30" transom with a glassed in bulkhead across the splashwell and a folding door that folds up all the way to the top of the stern boxes. With any load, i have yet to have standing water in the cockpit of my boat. I have a new Yamaha F-250 4 stroke with fly by wire shifting and the fuel management gauges. We have touched 47 mph lightly loaded. Realistic load it's a 45 mph boat. Heavy load about 40 - 42 mph. Load doesn't seem to affect the cruise speed much. 3900 - 4000 RPM's @ 28 - 30 mph depending on conditions getting 3.0 - 3.2 mpg according to the gauges. I have checked and they are accurate to within 5%. Any load i have had on the boat, i have never felt a lack of power. The boat always jumps up on plane and gets to cruise speed with ease. Seems like weight really only affects my top end.

All that being said - offshore fishing here could be as close as 30 miles, more like 40 and could be out to 60. Having 2 engines is piece of mind. I would probably build the rig with 2 tanks, 2 filters, etc for redundancy. Likewise, i think the enclosed transom and set back of bracket makes the boat "feel" like a bigger rig.

In any case - my goal is a twin engine, full bracket rig that when the weather is right i can run and get to the canyons quicker.

I'd be fine with something in the 26' range with a 8.5 - 9' beam but the only way i could afford such a rig is a project that i can work on and pay for over time.

That being said - what hull exists that fits that profile and is worth restoring? Again, i was looking hard at a 25 seavee but most run them with singles, and they still only have an 8' beam.

THoughts?

[PharmD2B31]

When you say twins, I guess it all depends on how many horses that you are wanting to stick on the back of your boat. Because I think some Yamaha 150 4 strokes or Suzuki 140's would be perfect on the back of that 23' Seacraft. I have also seen Yamaha 200 2-strokes with no problems on a 23' Seacraft. I am currently looking for a 23' Seacraft myself for a project. I am like the other poster ahead of me, I am wanting to run a Yamaha F300 on a twin Armstrong bracket on a 23' Seacraft. We usually run about 70 miles out to fish and I would feel perfectly fine on the single engine.

[Blackfin26]

I'm in a similar situation and currently have a '79 Sceptre that I'd like to put a double wide Hermco on and twin 150-200 Etecs (their light small blocks). However, the talk of weight and everyone's advice that a big single is the way to go scares me. I'll follow this thread and hope to see some options.
In the meantime, what about restoring (hopefully not too much) a 25' Seacraft. They have the 8.5' beam and seem to handle twins well. Seacraft also made a new 26' for model year 2009 that was designed to handle 1300lbs on the transom.

[Old'sCool]

If you're changing brands my pick would be 1) Old 25' Contender 2) 26' Regulator in that order. I test rode an old 25 Contender w/140 Suzi 4S...really wish he would have taken my offer but did not. It was sweet! That set-up w/twin 200 HPDI's would be perfect IMHO

[PharmD2B31]

The older 25' Contenders are nice. My good friend has one with a single 300 Suzuki on it. If you really like that boat and can't find a Contender for sale, look at the 25' Competition. Exact same hull as the 25' Contender at about half the price brand new. Hell remove the Competition sticker and put a Contender sticker on it and you would never know the difference.

[jorgeinmiami]

Saw this today It shoud get you to where you wantt to with twins and its a project

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/boa/3211289224.html

[mrobertson]

The argument of single vs twins for offshore fishing is really more personal preference than anything. I have a 23, with a single, and have been 40 miles off without issue. I don't discount anyone who does the same.

My personal preference would be twins and to have a full transom with a bracket.

hmmm - competition.......ill keep my eyes open!!!!

Has anyone on this board every been on a sea vee?

[PharmD2B31]

I currently have a 31' Contender..... its the exact same hull as the Sea Vee as well.