Alpha one ,twin 454s

[stinger222]

I am looking at 32 ft boat with twin 454s and alpha drives, 88 yr model boat, about 6000lb boat. My exisiting boat is a 22 ft CC Stinger with 383 high torque with alpha, 12 seasons on the same outdrive. I know the alpha is rated at 300hp, will the alphas on the new boat hold up behind 330 hp 454s, being its twin motors I'm thinking less stress on each outdrive, would install drive showers and synthetic oil.

 

[mkast]

Re: Alpha one ,twin 454s

Removed.

 

[mkast]

Re: Alpha one ,twin 454s

You can play Russian roulette for years and live to tell the tale.
A guy I know has a 454/Alpha since 1988.
Adult owned and operated.
He has said in the past, "Best powerpackage made."
Don't get buzzzzed... and have a "guy" dare you.
Keep the weight of gear on the boat down.
Try to keep fuel on board "as needed."
Personally, I run a modified MIE 330 with an Alpha 1 in a 2750Lbs.
(dry) 23 footer. No weight, changed the gear ratio to 1.32:1.
In the five years of operation I have had no problems...metal shavings in the gear lube. Mobile 1 in the sterndrive, drive shower installed.
The people who changed the gears told me, single engine applications, boat weight 6-8,000 Lbs. Drunk operator trying to cross Lake Michigan at WOT lead to grenaded sterndrives.
Oh, by the way, don't try to go "Up" Niagara Falls.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Alpha one ,twin 454s

The HP rating you're looking at is probably crankshaft HP. Mercruiser now rates at propshaft HP and 300 is about what you have.

Also, twin or single, the torque applied to the drives is dependent on how hard you push with your right hand on the throttles.

Mercruiser did not run the Alphas behind the "bigblock" very long before they realized that something bigger/stronger was needed and developed the Bravo.

Like indicated above, if you 're easy on them, they'll be just fine.......of course, 20 years behind bigblocks.....Their time may be coming soon and you don't know how many times they got "WOT'ed" in those 20 years!

Good luck

I am looking at 32 ft boat with twin 454s and alpha drives, 88 yr model boat, about 6000lb boat. My exisiting boat is a 22 ft CC Stinger with 383 high torque with alpha, 12 seasons on the same outdrive. I know the alpha is rated at 300hp, will the alphas on the new boat hold up behind 330 hp 454s, being its twin motors I'm thinking less stress on each outdrive, would install drive showers and synthetic oil.

 

[backwater dawg]

Re: Alpha one ,twin 454s

I have a 88 Regal with twin 260's and Alphas----it has over 2400 hrs on it and my take on all of this is how you run the boat---my boat weighs 9-10000 lbs---and EVERY time I take it up on plane I use my trim tabs and ease the throttle up and let the tabs do most of the work--once you are up on plane I don't think cruising speeds make much difference---I would'nt let the drives scare you---Good luck Steve

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alpha one ,twin 454s

with twin 454s and alpha drives, 88 yr model boat,

Ayuh,......

I'm not saying they Can't be kept together behind a Big Block,.....
But,......
Mercruiser came out with the Bravos a year or so later,..... For a Reason.......

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Alpha one ,twin 454s

Yes, the Bravo exists for a reason. But as said if you don't hammer them, they will survive. And if they break, thanks to SEI, you can buy brand new replacements for $1200 each. Make a good deal on the boat, assuming you'll have to spend $2500 or so, very soon to replace the outdrives.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Alpha one ,twin 454s

They should last as long as you keep an eye on them.Use Mercrury products. Install showers,Install oil resevoirs bottles.
Keep a close eye on them.Jerry