86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

[lime4x4]

Currently boat is powered by a single 5.7 liter 4bbl carbed engine which is bolted up to a mercruiser alpha 1 outdrive.The boat loaded is probably pushing close to 6500 lbs. Which is underpowered. My choices are find a donor boat with a bigblock and bravo drive unit or install another 5.7 liter engine and have twins. My bilge is big enough for 2 full size engines. I found the paper work that came with the boat and it shows how to mark the transom for 2 engines. So if it was your boat what would u do?? Thought about selling but we got the boat almost to the way we like it just needs more power. This boat did have a option for twin 4.3 liter engines from factory.

 

[EricR]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

I bet you could stroke it with a 383 kit and get closer to what you need, try Jegs or Summit.

 

[lime4x4]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

yeah but the alpha drive is only rated for 300 hp

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

Lime, I think a single big block is the answer. The carpentry involved in moving and installing twin motors is got to be a non-starter.

Mercruiser made 454/Alpha 1 combinations for several years before going to Bravo drives. If you are careful with applying the power, a 454/Alpha 1 combo can work for you.

 

[MikDee]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

Lime, I think a single big block is the answer. The carpentry involved in moving and installing twin motors is got to be a non-starter.

Mercruiser made 454/Alpha 1 combinations for several years before going to Bravo drives. If you are careful with applying the power, a 454/Alpha 1 combo can work for you.

I agree completely! Yes, I would say the 454/Alpha 1 would be fine, unless you're going racing. You don't want the headache's with twin engines, I just sold a 22'Celebrity Cuddy SS with twin OMC Cobra 4.3V6's. Just remember, only one engine can run the power steering, and it has run all the time to steer 2 drives, then you cannot really get the other drive out of the water when when cruising, and it's shut down. Not to mention it's double everything for maintenace, fuel, and sometimes repairs, just think about replacing 2 sets of exhaust manifolds, & risers,,, especially if those puppies are OMC's I still shudder at the thought.

 

[lime4x4]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

I thought adding a second engine would be fun...lol
I'll probably either just build my 350 up for more torque or i'll find a donor boat with a bigblock in it already and rebuild that engine.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

sounds to me like you have tinkeritis. LOL

 

[lime4x4]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

not really. I know it's a heavy boat just need to give it more power...lol It takes everything it has to get onto plane and i basically have to keep it at wot to keep it there. I know it no speed demon. Takes over a minute to get her on plane and yes all the usually culprits were checked.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

Lime, I think (actually hope) that your situation is not the nomal. Most of the time, on a boat like yours they will have twins (2.5 - 3.0L Alphas). I think the OEM messed up.

A pet peeve that I have is that I see alot of 24-25 foot cabin cruisers with single 305CID Alphas, and all these have power issues. They all should have big blocks, or as a bare minimum 350s(still inadequate in some cases). Why the OEMs chose 305s is beyond me. Must have been that 305s were cheaper then 350s.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

sounds to me like you have tinkeritis. LOL

Confirmed as a high cost mental illness, seek immediate medical help or this condition may worsen or become uncontrollable

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

Confirmed as a high cost mental illness, seek immediate medical help or this condition may worsen or become uncontrollable

And when adding online shopping and a credit card it could be fatal..

 

[Acer2428]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

I have always wondered why forced induction has never been popular in boats? Stick a blower and a good set of aluminum heads on there and you'll be making 400hp+

No need for a BB.

 

[eriediver]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

Lime, I think (actually hope) that your situation is not the nomal. Most of the time, on a boat like yours they will have twins (2.5 - 3.0L Alphas). I think the OEM messed up.

A pet peeve that I have is that I see alot of 24-25 foot cabin cruisers with single 305CID Alphas, and all these have power issues. They all should have big blocks, or as a bare minimum 350s(still inadequate in some cases). Why the OEMs chose 305s is beyond me. Must have been that 305s were cheaper then 350s.

He has the 350. That's what the 5.7 is. I've never seen the 268 with twins (all I've seen have the Big Block). I'd either build a torque monster 350 or sell the boat & buy something with more power. & don't be scared of twins (wouldn't recommend a conversion), if you do any offshore (more than 5 miles or so) you'll love the security of the extra motor. I've come in on 1 engine twice now, woulda had to of been towed if i had a single. It also makes docking a hell of a lot easier once you get used to them.

 

[j442w30]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

My 2 cents is that you go all out and install a big block with a Bravo 3 drive, the dual counter-rotating props will get your boat up onto plane way better than the Alpha ever will. The Alpha can live behind the 454 if you baby it but with such a heavy boat I think you are asking a lot from that drive. You can sell your current engine, drive and transom assembly to help offset the cost and the upgrade should increase the value of the boat by at least the cost of the parts if done correctly. Good Luck with your project!

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

Currently boat is powered by a single 5.7 liter 4bbl carbed engine which is bolted up to a mercruiser alpha 1 outdrive.The boat loaded is probably pushing close to 6500 lbs. Which is underpowered. My choices are find a donor boat with a bigblock and bravo drive unit or install another 5.7 liter engine and have twins. My bilge is big enough for 2 full size engines. I found the paper work that came with the boat and it shows how to mark the transom for 2 engines. So if it was your boat what would u do?? Thought about selling but we got the boat almost to the way we like it just needs more power. This boat did have a option for twin 4.3 liter engines from factory.

Ya know what, twin 4.3 gl or efi combined with SEI drive's could be very cost effective, but getting a steering system and throttle set up might throttle you.........

 

[lime4x4]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

Well selling isn't really an ooption right now..Basically got the boat the way we like it. According to searays site they did have an option for twin engines but they only offered the 4.3 liter.I'm still undecided what i want to do yet. Either build up the 350 or drop in a big block. Then upgrade the outdrive. Either way it's going to be a winter project. I go boating with supernova and I've ridden in his boat which weighs as much as mine does. his launches out of the water but then again he has twin 350's.

 

[baconbiscut]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

I bet you could stroke it with a 383 kit and get closer to what you need, try Jegs or Summit.

Our 1986 Formula 25 PC Is at the shop right noe getting a new 383 stroker with bravo one drive from Mercury Remanufacturing. The boat ways about 6000 lbs and it had the same setup you had with 260 hp. The boat struggled really bad. NOw were upgrading to this newer engine that mercury said is a good replacment for old 454s. It has 325 hp and 390lbs of tourqe at the prop. Anyway the boat will be done tomorrow i'll try and post back and tell you how it goes. Dan

 

[fishdog4449]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

I have always wondered why forced induction has never been popular in boats? Stick a blower and a good set of aluminum heads on there and you'll be making 400hp+

No need for a BB.

In a boat like this you need lots of low end torque, not high end hp. Turbo won't help much with power to get out of the hole.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: 86 searay 268 weekender needs more power

I believe Sea Ray offered either twin 3.7s or 4.3s (year depending), single 5.7 or the 7.4. I will go on a limb and say the engine room layout (stringers etc.) would be different in a single vs twin boat.

What about repowering with a newer 5.7? Something in the 300+ hp range.

The 5.7 was very popular in the 268, and your performance sounds mediocre at best. I would be interested to hear if other 268 owners find the boats this underpowered.