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Random Quote: Numb it with ice first idiot...then snatch it out..... it will bleed a little bit
I'm looking for a center console boat, diesel, over 32ft-36ft that can cruise 40mph at 2mpg or better. I also need a manufacturer that is willing to equip to my taste.
I looked at:
Island Runner
SeeVee
Spectre
So far SeeVee has my vote but I'm willing to look at any other options. I'd also be willing to work with a company like venture or contender if they were looking to do a diesel and see what type of response it got.
If you are wanting to cruise at 40 mph and get 2 mpg or better, take the sea vee off your list. We have a 34 with a single 540 and cruise at 36 mph (in smooth conditions) burning around 24 gph. The best fuel economy is about 29 mph at 15.4 gph, and again this is assuming smooth seas. Realistically we get about 1.4 to 1.6 mpg cruising depending on the sea state. The island runner and spectre will have the speed but not the ride of a 34 sea vee. The weight in the center makes a big difference. I love our sea vee, but its not going to get 2 mpg with a traditional inboard. I would sea trial all of them to see which one suits your tastes. For us, it was the sea vee. Every boat is a compromise. Good luck.
One of the engine alternatives are 2 x Volvo Penta D4-260/DP 191 kW (260 hp) diesels.
Nova 35 is available with or without a hard top over the center console.
Nimbus boats are made in Sweden (I live in Sweden by the way) and considered to build boats with very high quality (and price tag) but has also a very high second hand value (at least here in Sweden).
If you are wanting to cruise at 40 mph and get 2 mpg or better, take the sea vee off your list. We have a 34 with a single 540 and cruise at 36 mph (in smooth conditions) burning around 24 gph. The best fuel economy is about 29 mph at 15.4 gph, and again this is assuming smooth seas. Realistically we get about 1.4 to 1.6 mpg cruising depending on the sea state. The island runner and spectre will have the speed but not the ride of a 34 sea vee. The weight in the center makes a big difference. I love our sea vee, but its not going to get 2 mpg with a traditional inboard. I would sea trial all of them to see which one suits your tastes. For us, it was the sea vee. Every boat is a compromise. Good luck.
I'm leaning pretty hard toward Sea Vee and I have been in talks with them for a while. The boat I'm looking to build with them will be a 1 off custom. Twin Yanmar 315 with jack shafts and stern drives. I have done a lot of research and the numbers are very close to what I want.
I also talked with Spectre and they were fast boats but really not fishing friendly. The engines are crammed into the stern leaving no room for service work. The boat I tested had the a single mini tackle storage box (like you give your kids with a snoopy fishing pole) on each side of the leaning post. Also the boat never hit the numbers they have posted on the website. It cruised at 47 and never made it over 60, not that it makes a difference. In my opinion the boat needed to be redesigned to be a real fishing center console.
I had an Island Runner built and ready for delivery last year and it got stolen from the factory. Talks broke down on replacing it and I kind of never looked back. It was a nice boat but the lack of enthusiasm at the factory kind of threw me off a little.
I have a few other smaller builders in mind but it looks like Sea Vee is going to get the call. The 34 is a pretty wicked boat and with twin center mounted diesels it should be a real off shore battle wagon. Putting on out drives will get the speed up so I should get a half way decent tournament boat and a really nice charter boat out of it.
Don't overlook the Dusky 33. Single 440 with twin outdrives. 2.14 mpg/15.4 gph/33 mph.
Ditto. And they'll rig it however you'd like it. I'm sure they'll throw twins in there as well, not sure of the fuel economy, though. Does Sea Vee get over 2 mpg's with twin diesels?