Zodiac Hurricane 733 - Debating single Yamaha F-300 or twin F-150s

[Rto]

We're building out a Zodiac 733 and debating on whether to go with a single Yamaha F-300 or a pair of F-150's.
I have a couple of buddies who have the same RIBs both running the twin F-150's and they're awesome but I think I would be good and even more economical running just the single F-300.
After owning outboard boats for the last 40 years I’ve only had one catastrophic failure (blew up an old 2 stroke) that left me in need of a tow.
I often go spearfishing up to 60 miles offshore but always subscribe to Vessel Assist towing that is good out to a 100 miles anyway. Never had to use them yet.
Curious if anyone has used a big single on this RIB (or similar) and what their experiences/thoughts are.......?

[Bigtalljv]

When I built mine I talked to the folks up at Hurricane and they were not supportive of going over a single 250 so that’s what I went with. We dive the Channel Islands with usually four people. Boat rides like a dream and get 3mpg up to about 30mph.

Jason

[Rto]

Originally Posted by Bigtalljv

When I built mine I talked to the folks up at Hurricane and they were not supportive of going over a single 250 so that’s what I went with. We dive the Channel Islands with usually four people. Boat rides like a dream and get 3mpg up to about 30mph. Attachment 135495

Jason

3 mpg at 30 is nice. What about your max speed?

[Bigtalljv]

Before the t-top I hit 50+, with t-top and a load of people it tops out about 46mph or so.

[Rto]

That's impressive too. That's right about what my buddies with the twin Yamaha F-150s get.
Are you completely satisfied with the Suzuki?

Also, when you guys go diving are you using any type of a ladder or just crawling over the tubes?

[ncp]

Twin 150 Yamahas and I've seen 52 mpg in a friend's 733. Faster than I'll ever need to go (or be able to).

[Sandy Beaman]

I've spent quite a bit of time on 733's with twin 150's. Twins are far more maneuverable in close quarters. As well, I have experienced a loss of one engine when out but was still able to get up on plane and get back to the dock. That was a rescue boat. I'm intrigued by the reviews of the Evinrude high output oil injected engines. More power and better fuel economy. No direct experience though.

[Bigtalljv]

I’m totally satisfied with the suzuki. It’s quiet, smooth, runs awesome.

Twins definitely have advantages and disadvantages as well. I remember one person pointed out that two engines doubles your chance of something breaking :-)

I have a ladder. I got it from a local stainless guy who made one for another customer who never came back. It’s mounted on a bracket welded to the transom cap.

Jason

[Sandy Beaman]

Great boat. That pod adds a bit of length. You can call it an 800.

[Rto]

Originally Posted by Bigtalljv

When I built mine I talked to the folks up at Hurricane and they were not supportive of going over a single 250 so that’s what I went with. We dive the Channel Islands with usually four people. Boat rides like a dream and get 3mpg up to about 30mph. Attachment 135495

Jason

Hey Jason,
I ended up going with a single Suzuki but got their 300 hp Duoprop. I see your comment that the folks up at Hurricane suggested 250 hp max. The boat is rated for 300hp but everyone else I know has twin 150s. Is there a potential problem with a single 300 they told you about??
Thx
Roger

[Bigtalljv]

I think it was just an over performance issue. The hulls are good to go only so fast and so I’m sure it possible to create problems with too much speed. Dual 150s is not the same as a single 300, there is a significant amount of drag with two engines that reduces speed, I don’t recall the specifics of that, 10 or 15%.

Sounds like you’re gonna have a pretty sweet ride.

Jason

[Rto]

Originally Posted by Bigtalljv

I think it was just an over performance issue. The hulls are good to go only so fast and so I’m sure it possible to create problems with too much speed. Dual 150s is not the same as a single 300, there is a significant amount of drag with two engines that reduces speed, I don’t recall the specifics of that, 10 or 15%.

Sounds like you’re gonna have a pretty sweet ride.

Jason

Yes we’re tricking this one out pretty good with a great Raymarine package (16” Axiom Pro, dual side-scan transducers, FLIR, Doppler radar, autopilot...), a T-top with a mini tower and even contemplating installing a Seakeeper stabilizer.

[midlife]

Originally Posted by Rto

Hey Jason,

I ended up going with a single Suzuki but got their 300 hp Duoprop. I see your comment that the folks up at Hurricane suggested 250 hp max. The boat is rated for 300hp but everyone else I know has twin 150s. Is there a potential problem with a single 300 they told you about??

Thx

Roger

Where did you get the t top done ?

[Bigtalljv]

Originally Posted by midlife

Where did you get the t top done ?

Just a local stainless guy. Full custom job. I had him weld it to the existing rails on the console so it doesn’t have to go to the floor.

Jason