SEABUDDY
ON BOATS

Archive for the ‘Motors and Power’ Category

They have a huge shop!

It is organized and well laid-out

e-mail: service@tntcustommarine.com

telephone: 305-944-2119

another view of the shop

they work neat and cover up your boat as needed

Volvo engine with Volvo sterndrive / outdrive

Volvo makes eighteen horsepower gas engines using five engine sizes from 135 Hp to 420 Hp.

Volvo also makes eight horsepower diesel engines using three engine sizes from 130 Hp to 370 Hp.

Volvo-Penta and Volvo-Penta of the Americas are other popular names for these engines and sterndrives / outdrives.

42 Fountain Poker Run Edition

525 Hp of 8.2 (502) Mercruiser sterndrive

Reggie Fountain offers his 42 boat set-up for serious GofastBeLoud fun with two 525 Hp 502 Mercury Marine cast and built from scratch new engines. Mercruiser offers these same engines from as little as 380 Hp, to these hot rodded up 525 Hp engines, and then the same basic block engine, up to 700 hp with more hot rod parts and machine work. Mercruiser uses a different basic block of 551 cu. Inches for the next engine of 800 Hp.

42 Fountain Cockpit

Poker Run cockpit

After a wildly successful launch of the first of the new “A” series Cobalt line.

Should Cobalt introduce a “C” series line for 2012?

Will the next Cobalt Boat look something like this?

If the “A’ is step up from a regular line Cobalt boat, should the “C” line be a step below the regular Cobalt line-up?

What should be the specs of the first model in such a boat?

Number One (and there is no number two). It should bring to the boating world a new value that says Cobalt and is a true Cobalt Boat, but at a savings.

How would this be accomplished?

It must weight less. Weight demands engine power to give the Cobalt standard of performance with a V-6 engine.

So,  make it lighter by shortening the boat somewhat. Changing to the beam measurement to less than 8’. Design into the mold the swim platform and any swim platform extentions. Cut back on amount of seating, as Cobalt seats are plush and that adds weight. A new approach to the engine room hatch for further weight savings.

Make it a sporty boat model with a less deep cockpit and hull.

Use a 30 gallon gas tank size.

Skip the separate anchor locker.

Use a Volvo SX drive for smooth, silky shifting like a Mercruiser Bravo I sterndrive or a Volvo duoprop outdrive.

Use a Volvo-Penta marinized Chevrolet V-6 engine for its low cost as it does not need marine exhaust manifolds with Cataliytic Converters inside those marine exhaust manifolds.

Seabuddy’s suggested specs for a V-6 powered Cobalt Boat: LOA of 20’2” using a updated version of the Cobalt boat hull first used from the later 1980s on. This is a great running boat with a V-6.  She has a deep V running bottom of 20 degrees. Its designers, Jim Wynne and Dan Bramhall, knew their stuff around fast, good handling, boat hulls for both the lakes and oceans. Figure on a Beam of 7’ 5” and a weight of 2,500 – 2,700 lbs.

Nearly out-of-the-water ride attitude of the Formula Fas Tech 353

Formula offers both the 496 based engines from Mercruiser or at about $6,000 extra (built using the 502 tooling that Mercury Racing bought from Chevrolet) the “new” 502  Mercruiser 430 Hp engines. Why the price difference? The cost of the Catalytic converters in the marine exhaust manifold that the 502s require while the 496s via a quirk in the Emissions rules, do not need these in their marine exhaust manifold (except CA). The 496s are discontinued by Mercruiser and are no longer in production at Mercury Marine, so you may not have the choice as the 496 supply at Mercury Marine runs out of stock.

Note the two hull steps and the bottom notch at the transom

The 353 Formula Fas Tech high performance pleasure boat is a true full 24 degree deep v hull, with two steps that run athwartships across the running surface of the hull bottom. Properly designed and located hull steps add speed to a fast running boat. Figure on at least a 5% on increase in top speed compared to a non-stepped bottom.

Make sure that the limber hole (lower left) is encapsulated in fiberglass, not just thick paint

Note the bold paint colors and patterns that Fas Tech Formula boats offer at extra money. Also, at a minimum add-on a toilet, Corsa exhaust, trim tabs with trim indicators, covers and a bimini.

A 2010 Formula 353 Fas Tech 35’ 3” boat will show a retail price of about $285,000. Too much? Go with a shorter 29’ 2” model that is lighter by about a ton with Mercruiser 377 engines and the lower cost Bravo I drives to cut out about $90,000. But driving a small block Mercury Marine powered offshore boat is a far different experience than a 353 Formula. Try both in a sea trial for yourself but chris brown, seabuddy thinks that you will go the way of the longer, heavier boat with the big blocks.

The deck to hull joint is waterproofedwith mastic

Thur bolted cleats with a backing plate - the best

See the break in the water about midships to see the Fast Trac Raegal hull

Regal makes family boats that save fuel and go fast for their engine Hp. You should buy and pay less for a smaller engine and go just as fast while using less fuel because of the Regal Fast Trac hull bottom that is special to see and took years to develop and refine at Regal Boats.

In the Regal 2300 bowrider the Fast Trac hull really shines. Take a ride to feel this for yourself. It is an award-winning design that pays off everyday you are on the water. She gives a special experience for a 24’ LOA bowrider.

The next thing that any Regal boats bowrider boat discussion must include is the up-scale features that come standard with the boat. SS bows in the standard Bimini top (not aluminum), a 54 gallon fuel tank, an onboard fresh water supply, stainless steel hinges in the cockpit, docking lights, SS hand rails, depth gauge, cockpit carpet, tilt on the helm wheel, flip-up bolster seating for the co-captain and the captain, auto fire set-up, battery switch, SS detailing on the windshield,…the list goes on. These very well may be options or even not available on other boats that come standard with the Regal 2300.

Note…Do not pass over a full review of the folding arch tower when you inspect the boat for yourself.

tower arch folded down - its special

Pick a DuoProp sterndrive (outdrive) from Volvo-Penta matched up to either a 300 or 320 Hp Volvo marinized Chevrolet engine (these are 350 cu. in. engines with different internal parts to develop their Hp and Torque at different rpm levels to match up the power package of Volvo engine, Volvo DuoProp, and the 3,900 lb boat to deliver what you want, when you want it to a captital T.

Also, remember, the stripe and the gelcoat hull color molded in while the hull is being first molded. Seabuddy (Chris Brown) likes either red or the black, personally.

regal 2300 bowrider windshield detailed in SS

The tower arch set at full height

a good balance of storage spaces and water access

Over-head boat photo of the Mastercraft boats CSX 220

Photo of X-25 Mastercraft cockpit that uses the same Mastercraft hull

Is it going from a Direct Drive inboard (engine in the center of the boat) to a V-Drive inboard ( the engine at the back end of the boat)?

Will the rear mounted V-Drive inboard system improve the fuel economy and top speed over the direct drive set-up (42 – 43 mph with a 400 Hp engine in a 22’ boat)?

Has Hydra-Sports center console boats now ended the entire CSX center console model line at Mastercraft by 2013?

For 2010, Mastercraft reused their CSX 220 hull for their new X-25 water sports boat.

This hull is known for its good tracking, high wake, and inspiring a sense of handling confidence in its driver.

The Mastercraft X-25 now outsells the CSX 220.

Will the Mastercraft CSX 220 deck and cockpit layout go away entirely for 2011 or 2012?

How will new 2011 models of the Hydra-Sports boat line also owned by the same parent investment companies, effect marketing, sales, and the dealers for Mastercraft boats and their salt water model line-up?

Are there big discounts coming soon to the Mastercraft dealerships, as Century Boats is offering to their dealers now?

All of this is just the opinions and open questions of 30 year veteran of the marine trades, Chris Brown, seabuddy, and not yet known.

New for 2010 - Volvo Marine Chris Craft Corsair

If you are looking for pure boating pleasure just wait until you climb aboard the newly redesigned Corsair 28. Now with even more room, more luxurious teak, and handling that cuts through any wake with ease, the New Corsair 28 is even more of what Chris-Craft boaters have asked for. Its generous dimensions provide ample interior space, and allow for more powerful twin-engine configurations. The power and acceleration of this model give it a responsiveness that will take your breath away.

Get the twin 320 Hp Volvo and Duoprop sterndrive power choice and you get a boat that has been tested to achieve a full 60 mph at WOT. The duoprop allows for a very low rpm (2,500 rpm) cruising speed of 30 mph for a full day of 250 miles of cruising on any trip. NY to FL is now a 5 day trip. That is rare treat for this popular distance cruise. Chris Brown (seabuddy) has done this cruise almost a dozen times now.

She is 29’ 8” LOA and about 9,000 lbs with the twin Volvo marine engines coupled to the Volvo duoprop outdrives. Beam is 10’.

The new seating and helm on the 28' Chris Craft Corsair

Re-done for 2010, inspect for yourself the new seats for the Captain and first mate within the new cockpit.

Take a look at the optional buckskin upholstery.

The new helm look.

Note the deck hatch natural light feature.

The big increase in real teak detailing as standard equipment.

This is the same running hull that put Chris Craft back at the forefront of boating even with all the other changes for 2010. You will love the ride, so says Chris Brown, seabuddy.

New Helm design for the 2010 Chris Craft Corsair

Get to a Chris Craft dealer or visit the factory and try these new seats

Volvo V-6 engine with an SX outdrive

Volvo offers its feature packed SX sterndrive coupled to its Chevrolet 4.3 sourced Volvo V-6 marine engine to Monterey Boats. Then Monterey Boats has priced that upgrade at about the $1,000 final price.

Get more; 1) engine 2) get-up-on-plane power 3) a far smoother shifting system in the outdrive 4) with power steering  included in the package. This deal at Monterey boats makes a real statement.  

Chris Brown (seabuddy) is going to compare a Mercruiser marinized 4 cylinder engine packaged with a Alpha I outdrive (the base engine / outdrive package) to the $1,000 upgrade charge for Volvo’s marinized Chevrolet beginner V-6 engine with its Volvo SX outdrive this time.

1)      Biggest difference you will get for your $1,000 will be FAST ACCELRATION in your Monterey boat. Why? The ability to twist up the speed of the prop like a rocket booster is onboard the bowrider comes from the torque increase. The 4 has 150 ft. lbs. or torque at 2,000 rpm; the V-6 has 240 ft. lbs. At 3,000 rpm its about 170 ft. lbs. for the 4 and 250 ft. lbs. for the V-6. This is the engine speed range that a bowrider boat uses to get up on plane. This makes the difference in getting going.

2)      The SX Volvo outdrive shifts F-N-R using a cone clutch like a Bravo I, II, III drive and the Volvo DuoProp all do. The Mercruiser 4 uses a dog clutch. A dog clutch bangs or clunks when shifting. A Cone clutch is smooth and quiet. Hear and feel the difference in the water for yourself.

3)      Power steering is not included with a 4 cylinder engine in a Monterey boat. Its about a $300 option to add it while the Monterey bowrider boat is being crafted.

4)      GM builds most of either engine for both Mercruiser and Volvo. The GM assembly plant for the 4 is Toluca, Mexico.  The GM assembly plant for V-6 is Romulus, Michigan.

5)      The V-6 does not require a Catalectic Converter to be emmissions legal in 49 states. The in-line 4 does. That is why its only a $1,000 for all of the above.

180 FS 2010 Monterey Boat