Looking thru my holiday edition of the Fisherman last night (any my SWS and Soundings magizines
) I can't help but noticing more and more boats with triple OB's. In some cases quads. In one extreme case this past summer I saw a photo of a 45' center console with 6 big mercs on there. (it went 90 mph)
Many of you know how I feel about OBs (no matter who makes them). But I can't imagine triple OB's being offered by a manufacture of a production boat. To me it makes no sense. The cost, reliability fuel and long life issuses alone make no sence to me. And i like to cruise fast but there has got to be a better way.
We all have our dream boats, unrealistic dreamboats (65' rybo's with penthouse centerfold as deckhands) and the "some-day" boats that you actaully stand a shot at owning. But I just can't concieve of ever owning a boat with more then 2 obs hanging off the back.
While I was doing reseach on a "some-day" boat for me (32 mirage PH ) I came accross a captain that was buying one and he has owned more boats then you can imagine. Anyway he gave a detailed accounting of many of these boats...pros and cons and even had and excell spreadsheet with all the important items ranked and weighted for each boat he was considering. In his description he talked about triple OB's and how they were the cats ass for making the FL to Bahama runs....The main reason you need them is a loaded 33+' CC with twin 225 4strokes simply don't go that fast, you need 3 of them. 3 of them drink a lot of fuel and the initial cost and maintainece and upgrade cost just don't make sence to me.
As CC boats get bigger is this the direction we are headed? I hope not. I hold out a lof of promise for the new electronic controlled diesels that don't cost much more then a big OB. Personally, I would like to see more boats in the 23-34 class with these engines instead of OB's.
just my 2 cents.
Threaded Mode