Triple Outboard Cats

[nthdegree]

Whats the good and bad of a triple set up on a cat? It would be triple Mercury 300XS's on a new 32 or 35ft cat. I know the center motor takes more of a beating but how long do you think it would last if run and maintained properly. What speeds have people seen with triple set ups? Thanks for any info,

Dan

 

[Team Tsunami]

Whoops posted that under my fathers name....Im asking the question. Also, are the 300XS owner happy with their motors? They to be a very nice piece.

 

[Gladhe8er]

My Dad loves his 300 XS for the ease of maintenance and low fuel/oil burn. He is still on his first tank of the season in his 24 Progression. He has had a couple issues with it though. Thermostat and one other thing that slips my mind, but it blew when I was behind him, made a huge puff of black smoke and died(compressor maybe?)

 

[cowisl]

From what I have heard, the lower units seem to be the weak link with this type of package.

 

[cowisl]

Also, triple motors equate to triple the cost of everything

 

[Davidmnc]

I really have no buisness on this thread, but reading it a question came to mind. Would the middle engine not make a lot of drag and be counter productive?

 

[Bobcat]

It'll give you a 7 MPH boost over two engines.

 

[FullAuto9]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8qctDQoxIU&feature=related


Not me, but a 32' Spectre with triple 250XS's

 

[DKwestern]

http://www.skaterpowerboats.com/models/32c/index.htm

The 7 mph is a myth. Not sure where it started. Skater gains 15+. My 33 Powerplay ran low 70's with trip 200's, twins run about 55MPH.

 

[Bobcat]

It was a quote from Hot boat May 2002 on the 30' Motion.

 

[Bodyshot1]

nice!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8qctDQoxIU&feature=related


Not me, but a 32' Spectre with triple 250XS's

 

[nthdegree]

Also, triple motors equate to triple the cost of everything

you are starting with 2 engines...so the increase in cost is 50%:driving:

 

[Bradz]

I have owned outboard cats (2 triples and four twins) and been in a number of cats with twins and triples. The triple has a lot more punch and slightly higher top speed. Only a few mph. Reggie Fountain learned about this on his offshore boats setting speed records. Three gear cases dragging even with big power is lot to over come. I personally would stick with twins from this point forward. The center gear case takes a beating and the cost of triples is more. The insurance is much higher. The best outboard setup is a 28 Skater with 300X engines. 121 mph on GPS.

 

[Davidmnc]

I really have no buisness on this thread, but reading it a question came to mind. Would the middle engine not make a lot of drag and be counter productive?

It'll give you a 7 MPH boost over two engines.

:toetap05:

I have owned outboard cats (2 triples and four twins) and been in a number of cats with twins and triples. The triple has a lot more punch and slightly higher top speed. Only a few mph. Reggie Fountain learned about this on his offshore boats setting speed records. Three gear cases dragging even with big power is lot to over come. I personally would stick with twins from this point forward. The center gear case takes a beating and the cost of triples is more. The insurance is much higher. The best outboard setup is a 28 Skater with 300X engines. 121 mph on GPS.

This is more the answer i was looking for. :cheers2:

 

[Bobcat]

>>>>>>>>>>

 

[Offshore Ginger]

I really have no buisness on this thread, but reading it a question came to mind. Would the middle engine not make a lot of drag and be counter productive?

On a Skater we would put a center pod down the middle of the tunnel for that reason alone .

 

[Offshore Ginger]

I have owned outboard cats (2 triples and four twins) and been in a number of cats with twins and triples. The triple has a lot more punch and slightly higher top speed. Only a few mph. Reggie Fountain learned about this on his offshore boats setting speed records. Three gear cases dragging even with big power is lot to over come. I personally would stick with twins from this point forward. The center gear case takes a beating and the cost of triples is more. The insurance is much higher. The best outboard setup is a 28 Skater with 300X engines. 121 mph on GPS.

The only reason that reggie started paying more attention to this sort of thing is because when we were building is boats at Skater he learned that everything that was coming out of Douglas Marine was way faster then anything he could produce at his own plant and not to mention his gears were always turning when he payed us a vist at Douglas Marine .:driving: