I recently had the opportunity to captain a Lazy Days 59' houseboat with twin 454GM I/O. I have twin 318 Chrysler V-Drives on my 45' Burnscraft and I have to say that my Houseboat is much easier to handle in close quarters the the Lazy Days. It is much more responsive with the V-Drive than the I/O. This is only my opinion as I have only had V-Drives on a boat this large. However the Lazy Days does out preform my boat hands down 3,200 RPM and 26MPH on calm water, top speed about 35MPH.

For what it's worth...........

Rick Hasty
Fasteddie

-------------------------
Rick Hasty

First of all, well done on the remodel so far.  Looks fantastic and great job on the video tour as well.

I have owned 3 HB's.  First was a 42' pontoon style with a single outboard.  Very tough to do anything.  However, my next was a 46' Three Buoys Sunseeker that only had a single 4 cylinder.  That actually handled very well.  It had a big fat prop and it was easy to handle and was responsive in reverse.  Tracking on the other hand out in open water...not so much.  My current is a 58 Lakeview with Twin 5.0L.  Handles great and tracks well.  Significant difference from a single even though the single wasn't bad.  So, I think the hull style along with what type of prop you have make a big difference.

Good luck and I look forward to watching the progress.  I wish I was that handy. 

Wow! I am so happy that so many of you have taken the time to look at the blog and check out the video. Thanks for the positive feedback.
I haven't been able to get much done lately because a staging plank I was working on at my regular job broke and I fell and sprained my ankle pretty bad. Nothing broken but Doc says it could take 3 months to get back to normal.
It happened middle of December and I am just now getting to the point where I can spend about 3 hours up and productive before I have to give it a rest.

I noticed on the Gibson Houseboat website that they tested a 47' Classic with 2 110hp Yanmar diesels and the boat could maintain 9 MPH at 3.6 MPG.
I think that type of economy is what I'm shooting for.

Now just when I think I've got it figured out my local Mercruiser dealer tells me that the Bravo III drive with the counter-rotating props will make the slow speed handling and tracking much better. He feels that a single 5.0 260hp motor with the Bravo III is the way to go. Looking at my hull shape he felt there was enough keel and shape to give me decent results with a single motor. He is checking to see if he can get a remanufactured one from Mercruiser. If not a brand new Seacore 5.0 MPI with Bravo III an transom shield and pump is around $16,000.

I am still waiting for pricing from Cummins Mercruiser. I'll let you know what they have when they get back to me.

Hang to the riggins,
Wado

-------------------------
Wado the Maineiac
1983 43' C Yacht
http://www.musbenice.com/ http://blog.musbenice.com/

"Find something you like to do and do it as much as you can."

No one is discussing the 'what if' factor. What if you are in the marina on the 4th of July manuvering around way too many boaters that don't know what their doing and your 1 engine stalls. Need I say more, there is no discussion, get 2 motors of whatever style, horsepower or fuel type. Running 2 motors will also help you manuver at slow speeds. Engage the motor that is opposite of your turning direction and idle the side you are turning in without the prop turning. The idle motor (as a dead drag rudder) will cut your turning radius in 1/2 and since it is running is available as a back up in the event of a stall. 2 MOTORS!!!

Having fun, having what you want and fuel efficiency are all second to safety and piece of mind.

-------------------------
Desert Breeze
Cottonwood Cove
Ed Krip

Edited: 02/03/2011 at 03:21:24 PM by ekripavicius