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Post by richymurf on Jan 6, 2024 10:00:34 GMT -5
Hi there
Nice to meet you all! I am considering a 2008 2360 Sailfish. It currently has twin 150s that are old / need to be replaced. If I buy I'd prefer a single mainly to avoid maintenance costs. Will it run okay with a single, say 225hp/250hp? I am not too concerned about having a fast boat, just want something reliable that is reasonable on running costs. I have to think servicing two engines will be a lot.
I did try to search forums for similar query but couldn't find any.
Thanks Rich
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jerryk
Captain
When not online I'm likely on Knot Online
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Post by jerryk on Jan 6, 2024 10:31:46 GMT -5
You do have a valid concern if your ongoing maintenance costs are a big issue. I can't speak to the boat performance with one versus two engines, but yes there are twice the oil changes, twice the lower units, twice the impellers to service etc. That said, for me my Sailfish is the first boat out of three that I've owned that has had outboards, and the first with dual engines. I do like the dockside handling on two engines, but for me it wasn't a NEED to have improvement as I got by just fine on one engine in my prior boats. I do like the redundancy and gas cost/fuel efficiency is better than my last boat with its I/O and 7.4 liter car engine although that was a heavier boat too. I will say that one time I did get stranded at sea with the single when it died while crossing Lake Michigan and although not a serious engine issue it required parts I didn't have onboard to restore, so it meant a tow in from 11 miles out. That said, I've logged probably 2500 hours on single engine boats and that was the first and only time I've had a stranding issue. Modern boat motors are very reliable, and I wouldn't think twice about any new single engine boat going out to sea with confidence that I'd come back just fine.
If you do change up the motor configuration just be aware that you'd probably have to re-do the transom to redrill mounting holes for the single and fill in the holes made for the dual engine configuration, so there is added cost there. The cost of a larger HP single engine somewhat is offset by the cost of the smaller dual engines in repowering, and with the added costs to redo the transom I'm not sure you are much ahead other than the ongoing maintenance costs which probably aren't the biggest cost of boat ownership anyway (gas and insurance and dockage or launch ramp fees and trailer maintenance all contribute to the overall cost).
All that said Rich, if you really want a single you may be better to search longer and find one set up that way up front, rather than repowering a twin configuration. You have to run the numbers and understand the full costs beyond just engine cost. Good luck however you go!
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Post by Twisted on Jan 6, 2024 12:02:27 GMT -5
On that size boat I think twins is just overkill, not needed. I run my 2380CC with a single 250hp Yamaha 4 stroke, plenty of power and at the end of the day I am happy not having to shell out twice the money for fuel and to service/upkeep/winterize twins. Just my humble opinion. Good luck with your search!
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Post by hookedup on Jan 6, 2024 12:08:11 GMT -5
All my boats required trade offs. I've had dual engines and single. Your use of the boat, skills (can you do the maintenance?) and economy need to be considered.
I used to regularly travel out 80 miles to the gulf stream to fish. Dual engines were more expensive, but piece of mind in that if one failed I'd still get home on my own. Also, docking is considerably easier.
When I retired I went to a single engine boat to lessen costs and I only occasionally go more than 40 miles offshore. It still has enough power to pull 2 kids on a towable with ease and goes fast enough for me. I do most of my own maintenance, so the cost for maintenance isn't too bad. If I had to pay certified mechanics for two engines I'm sure I'd wished I only had one.
I agree somewhat with jerryk on going from 2 engines to 1, but I would think you'd still save a bit by doing that over getting 2 new ones. Shouldn't be much trouble to price it out both ways. And I completely agree it would be better to start with a single engine boat if you could find one.
Good luck and hopefully a 2360 owner will chime in about HP and performance. My boat will handle a 300 HP and it would actually get better MPG than the 250 I have. Got the 250 HP as no 300s were available when I bought it and it would have been 6 months before I could get one. The 250 HP runs fine and the minimal difference in MPG isn't an issue.
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Post by richymurf on Jan 7, 2024 22:22:34 GMT -5
Thank you all so much for your replies which are helpful. I live in the Cayman Islands where the boat market is fairly narrow. I have not come across a sailfish hull before but I was really impressed with how it felt on board, size and quality of the stainless fittings and the console seemed very large. Boat feels much larger than a 23 footer on board I thought. I'm leaning towards a single 250hp but let's see. Cheers.
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Post by richymurf on Jan 7, 2024 22:25:54 GMT -5
I should mention if you aware of any known issues of boats around this 2008 vintage or size / model do let me know! I'll also search the forums. I had a quick look / smell of the fuel tank / bilges and it seemed fine, I was surprised it was plastic as oppose to stainless steel. I'll be getting a survey anyway but welcome any thoughts on known issues. Cheers!
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jerryk
Captain
When not online I'm likely on Knot Online
Posts: 597
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Post by jerryk on Jan 8, 2024 9:36:16 GMT -5
After a few years you'll see such variation in boat condition based on use and abuse/neglect that the observations of a surveyor are worth more than anequedotal stories by owners of the same model other than characteristics of performance based on hull design and engine HP.
I wouldn't condemn a plastic gas tank as the metal ones tend to corrode so it may be a better tank in the long run.
My buddy owned a Sailfish in Cayman, a 21 or 23 foot model (?), single outboard configuration, and he had a great experience with it.
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Post by lainiej on Jan 8, 2024 10:01:30 GMT -5
I have a 2007 2360 for the past 9 years. No issues with the boat at all or engines which are F115's. If you go with a single try for the 300, the boat likes speed. If I decide to repower one of these days I will go with either 150's or 200's. The single or twins is a preference. I have had both and prefer twins since I do go offshore often. I do most of the maintenance myself so the cost of twins is no big issue for me. Its a great boat, can be wet on the quarter but with curtains it's manageable. The 2360 is a great running boat and pretty stable on the drift even with the deep vee. The 9 foot beam certainly makes it feel like a much larger boat and its does run better than most boats that are significantly larger.
Best of luck.
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Post by outtadblue on Jan 8, 2024 10:17:33 GMT -5
Welcome!!! Sailfish built a fine boat in 2008. With a boat of that age, the only things that may need attention are engines, pumps and wiring. The boat should be solid. As for single vs twins, it comes down to personal preference. Either will work great on this boat.
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Post by abouttime2fish on Feb 3, 2024 19:48:51 GMT -5
The boat engine options offered when new…. The twin 150’s were the most fuel efficient. Says a lot about appropriate power. Don’t think you’ll find it rated for a single 300.
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Post by finatic on Feb 4, 2024 8:37:02 GMT -5
I prefer twins for several reasons. Better fuel burn. A better over all speed & performance at lower rpm's. Cruise low to mid thirties at 3800 rpm"s. With a single you'll need to run 4 no800 to 5200 rpm's to run the same cruise speed. That single will always be under a load and will labor constantly. Having two props in the water make all the difference. As far as maintenance goes the twins are so worth the overall performance. During tuna season I'll make trips of 150 plus miles a day. Sure I'd like a bigger boat but can't come up with a good enough reason to give up my 2360 with twin 150's
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