Single 250-HP or Twin 150-HP on 25-foot Boat

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Author Topic:   Single 250-HP or Twin 150-HP on 25-foot Boat

puravida4life posted 10-12-2006 11:33 AM ET (US)
I [intend] to purchase a [another Brunswick brand--not Boston Whaler] 25-foot walkaround. On [the question of deciding between] going with a single Mercury 250hp Verado or twin Mercury 150 OptiMax motors, I have received two answers from two dealers. The first dealer told me the boat will run very well with the single 250 Verado, and, unless I was planning on doing extended island hopping in the Caribbean where I would like the insurance of a second engine, there would be no need [for it]. I tend to agree with him.
When I called the second dealership, the salesman said he didn't have any single engine [models of this boat] in stock because he would never sell one on that boat. He said it was "bow heavy" and he would only put the dual engines on that boat. I tend to think it is a sales line, but I wanted to make sure.
I would like to go with the single engine as it is a first boat purchase. Any thoughts? Thank you in advance!!!
RJG posted 10-12-2006 05:00 PM ET (US)
I'll bite. You need not worry too much about your engine options as both are good choices. I would go with the OptiMax [twin-engine] option myself. Around these parts most people frown on the boat you speak of. A much better option would be to find a late model Conquest of similar size. Better built, better resale value and the Boston Whaler safety factor that goes with it.

jimh posted 10-12-2006 09:32 PM ET (US)
You are welcome to read the many interesting discussions of this same topic, powering with twins or large single engine, in the archives of the discussion areas. You will find a wealth of opinion and information. Use the SEARCH function to locate them. It will provide hours of reading and hundreds of replies, all of which will be perfectly applicable to your situation.
The largest source of dissatisfaction with a new boat is reported to be from having under-powered it.
jimh posted 10-12-2006 09:38 PM ET (US)
Here is a good article with which to begin your study:
Twin 150-HP: A Thing of the Past
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/004301.html
jimh posted 10-12-2006 09:41 PM ET (US)
Most Brunswick brand boat companies have good performance data available for the various models which will show the difference in the boat's abilities with the different power options. Check with the manufacturer's website to see if there are performance reports for the two different power configurations. You can use this information as a guide, too.
richard de la vega posted 10-15-2006 09:23 PM ET (US)
1st what are you going to use the boat for? If you plan to use the boat to load it up with a lot of equipment, to go camping or water skiing, big family, or going across the fla straights a lot get twins. If you are not going to use the boat that much and just use it in the lakes and bay areas get a single. I can give you reasons on both sides, for and against twins or a single (also depends on the size/type of the boat). The most important issue is how well do you maintain your boat/engines/trailer. Most important parts are the trailer and the engines. well now let me pick your brain.. If you have two engines and one does not start at the dock do you still go out?? Twins bad: two engines.. more space, fuel, oil, weight, maintaince, cost not just engines but battiers, controls, steering, cables, props, plugs water pumps and fuel system. These are the items that need replacing/ and or routine maintance as you use your boat. Twins good: easier to dock, safer, faster, more power, should always get you home. Single bad: slower, less power, you think twice about going across, harder to back up. Single good: cheaper, less fuel (the money save on twins and all those other parts can buy a lot of fuel), more room, less noise, less smoke, 1/2 the maintance 1/2 the problems. I run a 25 contender with a single 250 yamaha (I also have a 16.7 whaler with 140 evinrude and have been using boats in south fla and keys for 40 years.) Here me out, with todays electronics and telephone systems you can call some one to come get you (sea tow), but first you have to break down, also the engines now are very well built and unless you plan on carring every spare part with a complete tool kit and the know how to change the part... see what I mean. Get a single take good care of it and it will not let you down. .

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Author	Topic: Single 250-HP or Twin 150-HP on 25-foot Boat
puravida4life	posted 10-12-2006 11:33 AM ET (US) I [intend] to purchase a [another Brunswick brand--not Boston Whaler] 25-foot walkaround. On [the question of deciding between] going with a single Mercury 250hp Verado or twin Mercury 150 OptiMax motors, I have received two answers from two dealers. The first dealer told me the boat will run very well with the single 250 Verado, and, unless I was planning on doing extended island hopping in the Caribbean where I would like the insurance of a second engine, there would be no need [for it]. I tend to agree with him. When I called the second dealership, the salesman said he didn't have any single engine [models of this boat] in stock because he would never sell one on that boat. He said it was "bow heavy" and he would only put the dual engines on that boat. I tend to think it is a sales line, but I wanted to make sure. I would like to go with the single engine as it is a first boat purchase. Any thoughts? Thank you in advance!!!
RJG	posted 10-12-2006 05:00 PM ET (US) I'll bite. You need not worry too much about your engine options as both are good choices. I would go with the OptiMax [twin-engine] option myself. Around these parts most people frown on the boat you speak of. A much better option would be to find a late model Conquest of similar size. Better built, better resale value and the Boston Whaler safety factor that goes with it.
jimh	posted 10-12-2006 09:32 PM ET (US) You are welcome to read the many interesting discussions of this same topic, powering with twins or large single engine, in the archives of the discussion areas. You will find a wealth of opinion and information. Use the SEARCH function to locate them. It will provide hours of reading and hundreds of replies, all of which will be perfectly applicable to your situation. The largest source of dissatisfaction with a new boat is reported to be from having under-powered it.
jimh	posted 10-12-2006 09:38 PM ET (US) Here is a good article with which to begin your study: Twin 150-HP: A Thing of the Past http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/004301.html
jimh	posted 10-12-2006 09:41 PM ET (US) Most Brunswick brand boat companies have good performance data available for the various models which will show the difference in the boat's abilities with the different power options. Check with the manufacturer's website to see if there are performance reports for the two different power configurations. You can use this information as a guide, too.
richard de la vega	posted 10-15-2006 09:23 PM ET (US) 1st what are you going to use the boat for? If you plan to use the boat to load it up with a lot of equipment, to go camping or water skiing, big family, or going across the fla straights a lot get twins. If you are not going to use the boat that much and just use it in the lakes and bay areas get a single. I can give you reasons on both sides, for and against twins or a single (also depends on the size/type of the boat). The most important issue is how well do you maintain your boat/engines/trailer. Most important parts are the trailer and the engines. well now let me pick your brain.. If you have two engines and one does not start at the dock do you still go out?? Twins bad: two engines.. more space, fuel, oil, weight, maintaince, cost not just engines but battiers, controls, steering, cables, props, plugs water pumps and fuel system. These are the items that need replacing/ and or routine maintance as you use your boat. Twins good: easier to dock, safer, faster, more power, should always get you home. Single bad: slower, less power, you think twice about going across, harder to back up. Single good: cheaper, less fuel (the money save on twins and all those other parts can buy a lot of fuel), more room, less noise, less smoke, 1/2 the maintance 1/2 the problems. I run a 25 contender with a single 250 yamaha (I also have a 16.7 whaler with 140 evinrude and have been using boats in south fla and keys for 40 years.) Here me out, with todays electronics and telephone systems you can call some one to come get you (sea tow), but first you have to break down, also the engines now are very well built and unless you plan on carring every spare part with a complete tool kit and the know how to change the part... see what I mean. Get a single take good care of it and it will not let you down. .