28' Regal Repower, gas or diesel, one engine or two?

[rob1066]

I have a 28' Regal with 10' beam and 9000lbs weight with twin engines. The old engines are Merc 488's i/o(caught fire last week). I am not sure which way to go with repowering, whatever I do I will have to modify the engine bay and add stringers because the 488's had a wierd front engine mount.<br />My choices are:<br />1) Install two 200hp 4.3l i/o engines<br />2) Install one 375 hp 8.1L i/o engine<br />3) Install one 200HP diesel i/o<br />these are all roughly the same price range.<br /><br />My main concern is that the diesel may not have the sufficient power to get the boat on the plane. I have been told that because of the torque diesels produce it should give me close to the same performance as the 8.1L. If thats the case the diesel is definately the winner. Does anyone know if this is the case. Diesel is safer and more durable. Also the single engine option would lose 1000lbs and have less drag in the water.

 

[DJ]

Re: 28' Regal Repower, gas or diesel, one engine or two?

Rob,<br /><br />The EASIEST would probably be the the twin 4.3's. Since you already have two drive holes through the transom. I don't know about your spacing between them though. The 4.3L is much wider than a four.<br /><br />The diesel won't give you the speed of an 8.1, but it will have plenty of torque to hold the boat on plane. It will also be slower out of the hole.<br /><br />If you go diesel, I would try to make the horsepower spread a little narrower. Your twin 488's where 185 at the crank-probably about 160 at the props. THat's 320 total hp. That's why I think a 270 diesel would be better than a 200.<br /><br />I read an article a while back in Florida Sportsman Magazine that featured a swap from a 7.4 L (454-330 hp) to a 270 hp. Volvo diesel Duoprop. The diesel was a few mph. slower but the fuel economy was twice. <br /><br />You'll have to use the boat a lot to make up for the initial price spread between diesel and gas.

 

[rob1066]

Re: 28' Regal Repower, gas or diesel, one engine or two?

I checked the space between the engines, there is only 33". I don't think that is enough room. The thing to decide is whether an 8.1L or 200+ HP diesel.

 

[Tinman]

Re: 28' Regal Repower, gas or diesel, one engine or two?

If you can swing it a new single yanmar 230 horse would sure be sweet, lightweight, compact, and powerful.<br /><br />sounds like you have your work cut out for you whatever you choose to do though, <br /><br />keep us posted<br /><br />Tinman

 

[rob1066]

Re: 28' Regal Repower, gas or diesel, one engine or two?

I took a look at the Yanmar site, they have some nice engines that will run with the Bravo 3 drive, I will try find out a price. The 315hp would be nice but I think it may be beyond my budget. The volvo pent TAD44 or 300 look good but they are long. Does anyone know what the mercruiser diesels are like. A V8 diesel would be shorter and fit better in my engine bay.