rslifkin
Guru
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2019
- Messages
- 7,962
- Location
- Rochester, NY
- Vessel Name
- Hour Glass
- Vessel Make
- Chris Craft 381 Catalina
In my mind, for a planing hull, pick an engine with a good reputation and size so that normal planing cruise is a bit below max continuous. That gives you a bit of sprinting ability and is gentler on the engines. Any power above max continuous is emergency power.
Based on that philosophy, for my own boat in a diesel repower I'd pick the QSB at either 355 or 380 HP. The current 340 HP gas big blocks are plenty of power, but a higher max continuous rating would be nice. As is, I cruise just below max continuous and often end up there (which is 18 kts at best with the current props) on a following sea. So a bit more wouldn't hurt.
Based on that philosophy, for my own boat in a diesel repower I'd pick the QSB at either 355 or 380 HP. The current 340 HP gas big blocks are plenty of power, but a higher max continuous rating would be nice. As is, I cruise just below max continuous and often end up there (which is 18 kts at best with the current props) on a following sea. So a bit more wouldn't hurt.