Orana 44: Orana 30hp vs 40hp

[Schmacko]

Hello everyone especially Orana owners...I need answers.
Of course I know that 40hp will be better for tight maneouvres and for those long calm days but how much better...does it really make that much difference?
If you have the opportunity for a nicely fitted out boat with 30hp Volvos that really does present well and engines have done less than 600 hrs as compared to a similar boat with 40hp Volvos but its a bit more effort and its a bit more expensive and the whole transaction on the latter is just that much harder.
So:
Does a 30hp Orana maneouvre well enough
Does it cruise under engine power well enough in both light seas and medium
It is not going to be used for crossing oceans mainly coastal passages
Is the resale value affected
Would you be happy with either

Thanks in advance

[DtM]

I would certianly go for the 40hp. that is what we have on our Orana.

We previously owned a Mahe with 20 hp and that was underpowered on occasions. I would have 30 hp on the mahe.

The extra 8 feet and weight would lead me to the 40hp. They were on our boat when we bought her but it was one of our requirements.

[DotDun]

The downside of bigger engines, they will burn more fuel.

[Cotemar]

Schmacko,

Go with the VP 40hp boat.
We have the VP 30HP with folding props on our Mahe 36 and they are perfect.
When we motor we only use one engine and do 7 to 7.5 knots at 2400 rpm.

[yeloya]

I don't have an experience with 30 HP engines on Orana as both of our Oranas are equipped with 40 HP's. Even with 40 HP's I had difficulties in moneuvring over 30 kts of wind with fixed props. With folding props, 30 HP's is clearly unacceptable.
I don't agree with the fuel consumption argument; you can reach the same speed with lower RPM, hence consume even less than 30 HP turning at very high RPM's. On top the engine will be weared out much earlier..
Cheers
Yeloya