Is This Enough Power?

[nolaboater99]

Hey Y'all….

I've been looking at some late '90s 293s and I see many with twin 300HP, 350 Magnums. But I've seen a few with a single 330HP 7.4L. I know all the arguments between single and twin engines, and I know the performance with 600HP would be better but, the question is....Is a single 330HP motor with a Bravo I enough power for this boat?

Thanks
Shawn

[cmattj]

As your a twin engine guy from previous boats. I’m guessing once on a plane she may pull her tongue back in. Lol.
Is it enough? Yes it’s common on cuddly cruisers it apears.
I’d prefer twin 165hp if you get my meaning to distribute the load on two outdrives.

[WALCOWI]

For me, it is not about HP, but about close quarter handling (i.e. operating around the docks). A boat of that size catches a lot of wind and carries a lot of momentum, so I would really want twins for close quarter handling. Just my $0.02.

[tgrace98]

I can tell you I would go no bigger than my r7 without twins. Like others have said not so much for top speed or power. But for close quarter handling.

[Holy Smokes]

On a 293, without a doubt, go for the twins..... much easier around the docks as mentioned above and superb holeshot for a boat of that size. Had a '99 with twin 5.7GSi Volvos & DP's and it would jump out of the hole.

[nolaboater99]

Thanks for the interesting replies. I have owned and operated boats from 10' to 52' and while twin inboards is my power of choice I consider myself more than above average when handling any boat around the dock so that part is not an issue to me. At 70 years old I don't care about neck-snapping hole shots.

What I do care about getting up on the step fairly quickly and then powering back. I care about not having to run WOT and take 60 seconds to get on plane and then feel underpowered with 4 people on board. I also care about the maintenance cost being double on having 2 engines and drives, etc.

I guess only a sea trial will tell me for sure. Thanks everyone
Shawn

[Big Block Power]

Thanks for the interesting replies. I have owned and operated boats from 10' to 52' and while twin inboards is my power of choice I consider myself more than above average when handling any boat around the dock so that part is not an issue to me. At 70 years old I don't care about neck-snapping hole shots.

What I do care about getting up on the step fairly quickly and then powering back. I care about not having to run WOT and take 60 seconds to get on plane and then feel underpowered with 4 people on board. I also care about the maintenance cost being double on having 2 engines and drives, etc.

I guess only a sea trial will tell me for sure. Thanks everyone
Shawn

Honestly it sounds like you just answered your own question. Order it with the 240

[nolaboater99]

Thanks for the interesting replies. I have owned and operated boats from 10' to 52' and while twin inboards is my power of choice I consider myself more than above average when handling any boat around the dock so that part is not an issue to me. At 70 years old I don't care about neck-snapping hole shots.

What I do care about getting up on the step fairly quickly and then powering back. I care about not having to run WOT and take 60 seconds to get on plane and then feel underpowered with 4 people on board. I also care about the maintenance cost being double on having 2 engines and drives, etc.

I guess only a sea trial will tell me for sure. Thanks everyone
Shawn

Honestly it sounds like you just answered your own question. Order it with the 240

Ya know....I think I did. At least that’s what I tell everyone else that asks. I guess I was looking for some insight before I drive to Oklahoma and Knoxville. Thanks

[Big Block Power]

Nola hook up that twin any bring it back. They are so much easier on that size of boat. Less stress longer life!

[Lockey14s]

I think if you had the boat loaded up with people in the back and tried to get on plane it would struggle. Enough to make me mad about it. But the sea trial is really the only way to get the feel of the boat.

[Blkvlk777]

I had the 7.4l in my 95 220. Would not have a single 7.4l in a 29. Just my opinion. Agree with the other comments about twin handling. Likewise if you have a larger overnight boat - go longer distances/bigger water - I would want the 2nd as a backup if the other had issues to get back safe

[cmattj]

I would want the 2nd as a backup if the other had issues to get back safe

Great point as Nola is well aware due to history. Knock would I haven’t had to use my other engine to get back.
But depending we’re you are ( narrow channel with wind and currents) it’s comforting to have “ Thing 1 and Thing 2 back there

[nolaboater99]

Thanks again for the responses. As I said, ease of maneuvering twin I/Os would not be a factor for me. I never had bow thrusters on either of my big boats (36' & 52') I just learned how to handle them. And while twin I/Os are a bit better than a single they are not close to equaling the handling of a boat with twin inboards due to how far aft the props/pivot points are. Redundancy plays a part as you do have the "get home" factor in play. But along with twin engines is the added expense of maintaining 2 engines and drives, etc.

The only reason I asked the question was a 293 popped up on Yachtworld and I liked the way it looked and it was priced pretty well. That boat had the twin 350 Magnum/Bravo I package. Liking that boat I started a search for more and almost all of them had twins but 2 popped up with single 454 engines. I always caution people about buying a boat with marginal horsepower. You can always back off the throttle but it only goes forward to the stop. My first reaction to the single was it would not be enough. A single 496 or 502 maybe. Most boat manufacturers will put a marginal engine package in a boat to offer a lower price point. (The 293 with twins was probably $8-10K more than the 454 boat) Builders would rather have a lower priced boat than lose a sale altogether. Cobalt seems to do this less than other builders.

So with our current health crisis going on I don't know what I'm going to do. I am also looking at a clean, older 253 with a 502/Bravo I that would probably work well for us, is cheaper and easier to haul around. I love my old CM23 and I have enjoyed the restoration process but I'll be 70 in a couple of weeks and the thought of having a newer boat with less (or no) teak and newer systems to maintain is looking better and better. But I would be going from, "Wow, what a beautiful boat" to "nice boat". I have to decide what I want to do.

Thanks again everyone, your responses are really appreciated.
Shawn

[Bfun220]

I might be a bit late, but here's a 293 with twin 350's. I think it does alright out of the hole but don't think I'd go with less hp.

[akorcovelos]

Depends on how you use it. My neighbors have a 28' Regal with a single VP7.4 DuoProp. On our inland chain of lakes it's just fine, so long as you're not a speed demon. It tops out around 40-45 gps, but they are retired and generally just cruise so it's perfect for them.