Re: (Almost) Time to Simplify
1. I'd store it on the trailer too. How would the person towing it for you get it on and off the blocks? And, how much would that cost? It wouldn't be that hard to hire someone to tow your trailer for you, or you could just rent a vehicle for the day. That would be a large savings right there. I'd definitely rather have my own trailer for it to rest on in the winter.
2. I guess I'm having a hard time understanding how this is really a downgrade question though. Going from a 278 to a 26' really isn't all that much of a downgrade. But, it seems like your downgrade has more to do with the engines. I understand that it would be easier to maintain and work one 1 engine with plenty of room around it versus having to maintain 2 engines...and outdrives..and tilt trim motors, etc, etc, etc. That said, no engine is simple to work on and you are always going to have to bend and twist and be in uncomfortable positions to work on it..
If you do go with a single engine 26' boat, I would stick to something that has a 7.4 liter engine and a bravo outdrive. 26' is a lot for a 5.7 to push and an alpha one wouldn't hold up as well as the bravo.
At least that is how my 26' was.
I guess you've never seen a professional with a customized hydraulic boat lift truck (not sure how else to describe it). It's a piece of cake for them (fun to watch, too), and cost would be less than $200. each way. There's a one-time investment in cement blocks and lumber (or boat jacks) and that's it. The transporter tells you what to buy ahead of time. No trailer maintenance, inspection or registration cost to deal with.
You're correct in that the downgrade has more to do with engines than anything else, but incorrect in assuming that no engine is simple to work on. BTDT with my (previous) 24' express and it was pretty easy. Why? Because It had a 4' x 7' engine hatch. When you talk about a single screw, the size of the engine hatch is as important as anything else. A 26' Bayliner has a big opening, a 26' Four Winns does not. I wouldn't buy the latter.
A 7.4 on a 26'er is not really necessary- a fuel injected 5.7 is perfectly adequate. Don't know where you boat, but my local waters are seldom smooth enough to travel any faster than in the high 20's mph. Most times it's only my wife and I aboard, etc., etc. Not worried about the drive, really. I personally prefer V-P SX's, but either of the Mercs is also fine.
I'm not quite a newb where this subject is concerned. I've owned my own outboard and I/O boats in both single and twin, and have first-hand exposure to a variety of boats from a 18' I/O bowrider to a 38' twin diesel Trojan sportfisherman. All courtesy of my being a USPS member who spends the entire summer boating with a dozen of my club friends. In the express cruiser class I've driven a 24' Chris*Craft 5.7 (mine), a 25' Larson 5.7, a 26' Rinker 5.7 and a 26' Maxum 5.0 MPI (Bravo 3). None of them is a slug.
Today I'm drooling over a 30' Luhrs Alura that's for sale in New Jersey. If I were close to making a move I'd be driving over to take a look at it. Love them.
)
