V-drive Versus Stern Drive

[Cadence]

[QUOTE=Cheechako;2083180]a) the boat the OP is looking at has twin engines. At 30 ft they could even be twin 454's.
b) Hi stated size range is 30 ft. My 32 ft trawler burned 1.25-1.5 gal per hour.
c) Gas wont be cheap for too much longer.
d) That's all I know! [/QUOTE

My father bought one,48 ft., with twin Grays. at 17.5Gal/Hr.. they came out fast in lieu of 671? Gas is great with deep pockets and a bunch of safety.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

a) the boat the OP is looking at has twin engines. At 30 ft they could even be twin 454's.
b) Hi stated size range is 30 ft. My 32 ft trawler burned 1.25-1.5 gal per hour.
c) Gas wont be cheap for too much longer.
d) That's all I know!

I'm very familiar with the boats the OP is looking at. My example was based on a similar boat (silverton not searay) with a pair of V8's. The only way for your example to work is if you compare those 454's firewalled against a single engine trawler limited to 6kts. If you are talking economy, you have to use MPG not GPH as the boats he is looking at will cover 3 times the distance in an hour so to get to the same destination, it's a lot fewer hours.

A single engine trawler will still likely win on fuel economy but not by a lot and you will have a greatly reduced range if you don't have unlimited time. I'm guessing the OP is weekend cruising which means you drop from say a 100 mile weekend radius to a 20-30mile radius.

Sure gas will get more expensive. Lots of people with dire warnings when it was running $4/gal...oddly, I paid less than $2/gal last time I filled up my truck.

[Kokanee]

Originally Posted by Wolfgang6

The boat I am looking at is a Sea Ray 310 /320. I am told that for maneuverability in tight areas like a marina, the V drive is much better than a stern drive, making it more suitable for beginners like myself.

I would question that advice. There is no difference between a shaft drive and a fee drive in manoeuvrability. Both are a little challenging for a beginner in tight situations. Both are fixed props which rely on prop wash over the rudder to manoeuver. Only the gearbox is different.

If easy manoeuvreability in a marina is your only priority, go for a stern drive. (and/or a bow thruster).

But - A shaft drive (straight or vee) will handle just as well, with enough practice.