HavanaCowboy

I know there is not a big difference between the Merc 300V8 vs the 350/400 verado except in WOT. What about the V8 vs a suzuki 350 with the dual props? This is for a 34CC.

any thoughts? Thanks.

Castawaychris

Whats the weight of the boat and trips or twins?

HavanaCowboy

14000 fully loaded ready to fish. With twins.

Castawaychris

350 zuke all day. Im building a project boat thats a bit heavier than yours. I got a smoking deal on v350. Its a cat so 2 or 4 is my options. I think 2 will do it but realistically the zukes is what I should havr bought.

HavanaCowboy

Thanks. They should have more torque with those dual props im thinking (out of hole power). I really like the look also. I wonder how the higher compression will handle long term. I was pretty set on the 300 merc but then a buddy of mine told me to look at the suzuki and I was impressed.

Castawaychris

I've not ridden on a boat with them but holeshot and mid range torque and efficiency is where they seem to shine.

eli6579

I would go American made all day, but I definitely see the perks of the duo prop in your application as you won’t be breaking any speed record with twins. I personally can’t see how the duo prop can be very efficient at speed, but I am not marine engineer. I imagine it will help you get up on a plane but after that from what I have read top end is definitely not where the zuk shines. If they are the same price I would seriously consider mercury, but I am not the most knowledgeable person on this forum. Boat make would help.

HavanaCowboy

Reef runner 34

Castawaychris

I'm too lazy to look it up but pretty sure the zuke was right there with the yam 350 v8. Those motors have their problems but lack of power isn't one of them. OP do some search on this forum and you will get a lot of info.
. The mercs are great motors but im pretty sure on a 14k boat the zukes gonna win.

eli6579

Yea after reading some specs on the reef runner I don’t think the 300v8s in a twin config would work very well. I assume Trips are off the table? Max hp is 1350 for that hull. I would be between yam 350s and zuk 350s if I were sticking to twins.

wdlfbio

A buddy pushes 20,500# of aluminum catamaran up to 43 mph at 5,800 rpms with twin Zuke 350s. The grip is awesome. But, one blew at 188 hours. Better make sure you have at least 89 octane.

davidwademarine

Do your due diligence and talk to several different owners of the Suzuki 350s. There are a lot of them out there that haven’t even made it to 500 hours without some serious problems. There’s nothing they will do extraordinarily better than the Mercurys besides maybe a few (1-3mph) ticks on top end. Mercury’s warranty is light-years ahead of Suzuki’s. Stick with the brand that provides the best local service to you. As wdlfbio mentioned, make sure you have access to good fuel if you go with Suzuki as they are not a fan of 87 octane. The Mercury V8 was designed to run on 87 octane fuel.

abacodan

I repowered a Venture 34 with the new Mercury V8 300, and the incredible differential in power/weight ratio is one of the primary contributors to overall mid-range performance, up probably between 30-35 percent over the Yamaha 250 V6 they replaced, and at a lighter weight. I'd certainly compare power/weight ratio with that Suzuki 350 also. In my case, running a pre-four stroke design boat, being able to go back to an engine weight that even for back then would be extremely light, putting out this much torque, has been a real game changer. It seems more and more that Mercury has really elevated the bar.

plumsal

No disrespect but why would you put twins on? At 1350hp rating seems like triple Merc 300s would be a great set-up. You’re not pushing a barge.

InCogKneeToe

I was thinking the Same Thing. Duals even 700hp, would be upsetting.

Suzuki's Duo Prop is exactly for this purpose. Big Heavy Off Shore Boats.

Flymost1

Are we sure the boat is rated for 1350 hp? That’s a ton of power on a 34’ boat. I do agree with the crowd tho. Twin Mercs, or trips if you can swing it or want the extra speed. Probably 48 to 50 top end with twins?

HavanaCowboy

Im in the florida keys and there are areas where im at that at low tide gets to 3 feet. I dont want to risk that lower middle engine. I plan on rigging twins and spreading them a little further appart like to use joystick and im hoping this will be enough to not hit bottom. Some other boats around me did this and thus far they are ok.

HavanaCowboy

I would love trips but not sure the water depth in my area for about 700 yards is shallow til i get to deeper water (3ft low tide sometimes little less) will handle that lower middle outboard.

HavanaCowboy

Interesting. What is the weight of your Venture ready to fish? And what is top end speed WOT? Thanks in advance.

HavanaCowboy

That is exactly what I have been reading. I guess that is due to the higher compression? Since last night I have read of a few issues some owners have had with the 350s. thank you for the input!!!