What’s It Like When You Run Twin 327’s In A 24 Sportsman?
Very rare 1959 24′ Sportsman twin Chris Craft 327’s. (420HP)
I have no idea? But you could be the first to find out and let us know. I know our “Suzy” 1960 24 Sportsman with the single big block Lincoln will crank to about 35 mph.. That’s about 260 hp, these twin small blocks put out over 420HP, and you can steer this thing into a slip without needing therapy to reduce stress. Twin engine steering is a massive help on this boat. That extra power will make it feel like a small runabout.. For a bit over $60K its a real deal! 5200 bottom, new interior, rebuilt engines. This is the ultimate social boat that gives you all the woodyness you will ever want! You can drool on it here. At the Antique Boat Center
The engine covers make great seats.
If fuel was still only a buck a gallon…
Except for docking, I would prefer a single big block, but that is one nice utility.
Very Cool!
My friend Mike at Edgecomb Boat Works has one for sale also. 15K with a restoration contract. 60K ready to go is probably a pretty good deal.
Matt I am with you! Love the idea of twins, but would not want to feed 16 cyls.
WOW do I wish I could post a picture with that comment.
Why settle for two? The National Tractor Pullers Association can probably connect you with folks to advise on installing triple Lycoming’s or Allison’s, or a quad set of blown big blocks.
What do we need? . . . MORE POWER!!!
Not a great idea unless you have lots of extra money, own an oil well , are lousy at docking, want to double your engine maintenance, enjoy having absolutely no space to put extra passengers or dogs and can stomach a gain of a whole 15 MPH for your cash, time, and trouble .
Folks please keep in mind that adding lots of additional HP to a hull ( unless it was originally equipped with the lowest factory motive power) will not produce huge amounts of additional speed.
Remember hull speed is basically a fixed target its entirely governed by hull design and wetted surface.
Unless the boat was originally way underpowered or you want to start messing with the hull too (which is likely to introduce lots of highly undesirable characteristics) you will almost certainly not get the bang for your buck that you had envisioned.
Enough with all the “dose of reality” stuff.
Hey, I can dream can’t I!?
Stop being practical for a bit and imagine how that thing would sound!
Ahh, back in my happy place……
Small correction…Hull design, wetted surface and parasitic drag (from the drive). And in this case you’re doubling that drag.
On just pure sound I’d opt for the purr of a V12 and you’re still 4 cylinders to the good (less thirsty). Still, if you wanted to enter a tug-o-war transom top transom, the twins would carry the day!
Right on Sean. Yah I kind of forgot that sneaky second drive
Entirely logical.
How do they not have a video of this thing?
Coburg kid, you’re such a buzzkill…. twins are sweet in almost any situation.
Ahoy Capt Mark, twins is sweet , but only when theys in the bilge of a big ol boat or speed machine skimmin across the “big” lakes or the briny deep ; and that’s for the same reason that twin aero-plane engines is so sweet, it let’s ya limp on home if them mechanical gremlins climbs aboard
With all of the investment you have in these boats your worried about a few extra gallons or gas?
More power means more fun!
just go with the 28 foot streblow, twin 502’s and v drives!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Sr7uQ61kPw&w=560&h=315%5D
oh yeah, i forgot, it’ll only be about 350k more. gotta sell more shirts!
Hey Kid….Here is speed
Yep, our tax dollars at work paying for that rediculous thing to chase drug smugglers. What a waste. Get close enuff with much less boat/power. Mow ’em down into fish food.
Alex… Boat owned by the bad guys in the UK, supposedly helicopters stopped them.
ehrm… now THIS really is SPEED!
I’ve always had a hankerin’ for twins
I agree with Floyd.. You get so much more when you run twins.
We have a 1959 24′ Sportsman twin Chris Craft with 283’s. She gets up with very little effort regardless of the load and will increase in speed until you pull her back to a comfortable level. Docking is a pleasure and actually fun. I do not recall the actual speed she reaches . Following years of enjoyment we are looking to find a new owner as dad is not as limber as he used to be. Anyone interested can reply for further information.
I recall that Matt said that “Suzy” with the Lincoln 430 would turn about 35 mph. My “Belle of Shaley Shores” (a 1960 24′ Sportsman) had that Lincoln until my sister threw a rod. We then put in a 327 which would turn about 34. I think Matt is underestimating what that Lincoln would do.
In 1989, wanting a big block, I put in an Olds 455, with a Borg Warner tranny. It would turn 41 mph. That Olds is still running fine, but I don’t want to stress it. I’m guessing it would turn 38 mph.
She is still a pain to dock.