IPS 350 on a Monte Carlo 32. Possible...???

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Blokatos

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Is it possible to put two IPS 350 engines into a Beneteau Monte Carlo 32 Hardtop?

I like the benefits of the IPS and Beneteau states that maximum engine power certified fo the MC32 is 591 hp. The IPS 350 unit is rated at 260 hp so it should be ok.

Or not?

Opinions/thoughts on this?
 
2 x 260 hp in a 32 footer isn't excessive, but I guess it depends if Beneteau offer IPS as an option. If they don't, then forget it, the engineering work to accommodate it would cost more than the boat!

Which benefits of IPS do you like in a 32' boat?
 
Not in 32 footer, I just like the IPS technology and its advantages: fuel effiency, props running in undisturbed water, higher degree of maneuverability (especially in tight spots), no need for a bow thruster and the drag that it generates...to name a few.

I would like to listen to anybody's thoughts about this.
 
I wouldn't bother on a 32 footer, IPS will be more expensive on fuel than say twin D4's on DPH legs. On a 32 foot boat not much gain on having a decent bow thruster, with a bit of practice you can almost make it go side ways. Plus you can add at least £30k to the price for IPS with joystick.

IPS works best on 40 - 60 open /HT sports cruisers, in this arena they are probably the best combo for fuel efficiency, performance and manuoverability.

Don't work so well on flybridge planning hulls of similar size, too 'tippy' . Zeus seems to be a better install , indeed I would have to say if it were not for the lack of CMD support network Zeus is a better product.
 
stern drive compared with IPS gives you an average of about 20% in less fuel consumptions figues at the best cruising speed of the vessel, and will give similar figures for top speed
what you will get better is a less speed to go on the plane with the IPS, if the same boat needs 17 knots with stern drive, you will need like 13 knots with IPS
as for manovring Volvo has released the stern drive joystick last Summer which is very similar to a the same IPS joystick combination, yes IPS is better obediant then the sterndrive version, but is very close
and really with some practice a stern drive with bow thruster combination is good

as for the comments of 40 feet plus at 40 knots plus surface drives, and jet propulsion are more efficient to IPS
what IPS is better is at lower speeds of about 30 knots
for manovrability I have seen shaft powered boats with bow stern thruster combos with joystick which are better to IPS always in IM modest Opinion...
 
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today, standard outdrives are also available with a joystick option, with this option, manouvrability is as good as IPS.
IMHO being able to trim the drives, is an advantage on a 32ft boat compared to IPS, on fuel consumption aswell as on boat handling.
For bigger boats (40ft+) it's an other story, and there I also like the modern technology of pod drive.
and as sayd above, if Beneteau doesn't offer IPS as an option, forget it...
 
Blokatos said:
Is it possible to put two IPS 350 engines into a Beneteau Monte Carlo 32 Hardtop?

I like the benefits of the IPS and Beneteau states that maximum engine power certified fo the MC32 is 591 hp. The IPS 350 unit is rated at 260 hp so it should be ok.

Or not?

Opinions/thoughts on this?
Click to expand...

I can't imagine why you'd want to do this. Apart from the cost and efficiency advantages of sterndrive over IPS, you would be altering the fundamental handling characteristics of the boat. It's not just a case of cutting a couple of holes in the bottom of the boat, bolting the IPS drives in and away you go. Hulls with IPS drives are generally designed specifically to optimise the characteristics of IPS and some manufacturers have found even then that IPS driven boats have exhibited handling quirks they didn't expect
You could end up with a very expensive 32 footer that handles like a pig and you are never able to resell
 
Blokatos said:
Not in 32 footer, I just like the IPS technology and its advantages: fuel effiency, props running in undisturbed water, higher degree of maneuverability (especially in tight spots), no need for a bow thruster and the drag that it generates...to name a few.

I would like to listen to anybody's thoughts about this.
Click to expand...

Fuel efficiency - sterndrives are more fuel efficient than IPS
Props running in undisturbed water - I assume you like the idea of this for speed and efficiency (but sterndrives are faster/more efficient), or for lack of noise (not sure if noise is lower)
manoeuvrability - just spec a bigger bowthruster, much cheaper option
bowthruster drag - negligible, as the tunnel is out of the water at planing speeds

If you have IPS you'll pay a lot more (even if it was an option), and they are more exposed to damage, plus you can't lift them to clear fouling. As Nautical says, I think they have their place on bigger sportcruisers, but not on 32 footers.
 
As most have already said, even if you could its a pointless excercise. IPS is a developement to replace shafts, not stern drives. DPH legs are more efficient, twin outdrive handling is a doddle anyway so long as you DONT try to drive like a shaft drive boat, and if you get really stuck and spending a few hundred pounds on some proper tuition doesnt sort the problem, then go for a bow thruster or, if you want a joystick (and therefor I assuem take no pleasure in the art of berthing) volvo and mercruiser offer this option on the out drive systems as well.
 
I would like to thank everyone for the replies on this one. You were all very informative.

So, it stays as it then, I am convinced. Probably will opt for the joystick (to start with) and in future I will try to master the twin engine throttling control to berthing.

Thank you for sharing your opinions and knowledge.
 
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