should I or shouldn't I ?

I went from a 22' Baja with stroked big block (low 80`s mph) to a twin 420hp 30' Sutphen (70 mph).
Insurance was a beotch and the fuel bill was unbearable.

I went back to a single engine 24' (70 mph). I am completely, totally happy with it.

I went from a single BBC 26' to a twin BBC 30'. Main reason was I needed a bigger boat for the water we are in, and more room for the family. We love the boat we have. We don't do a ton of just running, but the gas has not been that bad. Went from hammering a single motor to cruising with twins.

What Dishdave said.
went from a single Checkmate 25 to a 34 Scarab.
Loved both but the Scarab is much more comfortable.
Can cruise comfortable in the Scarab at 55 in 2 to 3 footers.

I always say I want a bigger boat, but then I have to buy a bigger truck to tow it and then we cant visit the little lakes that I like. Most of the smaller lakes house 23ft and under. My 21.5 is usually one of the biggest on the lake. But when we take it to L. Erie its the baby and the waves treat it like one too.

Soooo,, do it or don't do it?

rumble man said:

Soooo,, do it or don't do it?

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Only you can answer that question.

Are you doing it because you just want a larger boat?

Do you need more room for the family?

Is your boat to small for the water you want to run in?

If you can swing the costs then I say go for it. 31 Scarab with 500's should move, but it will use more fuel. You will be far more comfortable at speed as well. Gas is something in this hobby that you just have to live with. Just remember that other things like maintence is x2 with twins. There is always plus and minus to any situation.

I just went from a 22' Advantage to a 31' Scarab Thunder w/500 hp's. You know what they say, once you go twins you'll never go back. The only big thing is the fuel.

This answer all depends on your type of boating. I boat in the open waters of the Gulf Of Mexico and a bigger/heavier boat is needed since there are 4 foot and greater waves at times. Also, if you may have more people on the boat which means more room is needed. If you are in the small waters and not to many people on the boat go smaller and save the fuel and headache. Just my thoughts but you will make the correct decision. Best of luck.

Run_em_Hard said:

I just went from a 22' Advantage to a 31' Scarab Thunder w/500 hp's. You know what they say, once you go twins you'll never go back. The only big thing is the fuel.

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You know, I always thought that.. I have had both over the years, even the same boat with both set ups..(29 scarab... one with a single and one with twiins...)
I must say the single boat was more fun.

a 31 scarab was also one of my favorite boats to own.

Damn, I always heard of two-foot-itis, but the guys on this site have 9-10- foot-itis!

That being said, I have the same problem. 18 to 25 foot. Next will be 35-38 foot.

What the hell, go for it.

I currently have a 24 footer, I honestly don't see myself even considering a bigger boat anytime soon, if anything I might drop down to a 22 footer.

I am ok with the way my boat handles rough water 99% of the time, the 1% I am not, I dont really see anyone else out on the water either.

No I cant take 5 footers at 60 mph, but who really enjoys 5 footers anyway? Nobody I boat with, and I have the smallest boat in the group.

If you are doing it for room, or for a bigger cabin for the family to overnight go for it.

Bigger boats feel much slower even if faster, they ride smoother, but dont have the adrenaline rush, harder to tow, harder to dock (though Mines a bitch, its so light the wind kills me), harder to store, etc.

I'll stick with my smaller boat.

UP_ROKTOY said:

I currently have a 24 footer, I honestly don't see myself even considering a bigger boat anytime soon, if anything I might drop down to a 22 footer.

I am ok with the way my boat handles rough water 99% of the time, the 1% I am not, I dont really see anyone else out on the water either.

No I cant take 5 footers at 60 mph, but who really enjoys 5 footers anyway? Nobody I boat with, and I have the smallest boat in the group.

If you are doing it for room, or for a bigger cabin for the family to overnight go for it.

Bigger boats feel much slower even if faster, they ride smoother, but dont have the adrenaline rush, harder to tow, harder to dock (though Mines a bitch, its so light the wind kills me), harder to store, etc.

I'll stick with my smaller boat.

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I agree with that. If you need the room or better ride in bigger water then go for it. If not then it's a toss-up IMO. If you're an adrenaline junkie then the fun factor of a small fast single is tough to match. As you know 75mph in a 22 footer will get the blood pumping. 75mph in a 31 footer would have me yawning in mild water.

Rumbleman, since you live in Calgary I assume the furthest part of your boating will be Okanagan Lake, right? Stay with a single for economy, the fun is still there with a powerful single engine. I have twins cause my boating is mainly in the ocean between Vancouver and Vancouver Island so I'm not at the mercy of Sea-tow.If I ever move to the Okanagan I'll go back to a single hotrod like a 22 Donzi Classic with BB!

Don't go for a ride in any of these offshore boats , because the bug will bite you :laugher:
My buddy going for a pass http://media.putfile.com/Dean-going-for-a-pass-in-his-35-fountain

UP_ROKTOY said:

I currently have a 24 footer, I honestly don't see myself even considering a bigger boat anytime soon

I am ok with the way my boat handles rough water 99% of the time, the 1% I am not, I dont really see anyone else out on the water either.

If you are doing it for room, or for a bigger cabin for the family to overnight go for it.

Bigger boats feel much slower even if faster, they ride smoother, but dont have the adrenaline rush, harder to tow, harder to dock (though Mines a bitch, its so light the wind kills me), harder to store, etc.

I'll stick with my smaller boat.

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My thoughts exactly !

DonMan said:

My thoughts exactly !

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PLUS ---- I own my boat - PAID FOR. Insurance is very reasonable and I can tow with a 1/2 ton if need be.

DonMan... I have always loved that darn Python, but never been on one in the water...
Can ya PM me with your thoughts on that ride

thanks...

I personally would go for the larger boat with twins. Can't complain about my 31 scarab and you should be right around the same speed as your current boat with that set-up..... just won't feel as fast (I am running 70-71 with Twin 450 hp 502s). The only thing I can reccomend is going for a test drive if at all possible. You should be able to know pretty quickly if you like the way the larger boat feels and whether or not you are grinning enough after the ride to put up with the extra maintenance and fuel bills. What year is this boat? Have any pics?

jb said:

DonMan... I have always loved that darn Python, but never been on one in the water...
Can ya PM me with your thoughts on that ride

thanks...

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Hey, my wife will sell it to you . . . :confused1


I will shoot you a PM.

If moving up is an option then do it. If you don't like it then move down. It is easier to move down from the big boat that you don't like than to move up from the small boat that you don't like.

My .02