S28 with Single KAD44 - Underpowered?

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Still doing my research on S28's as i'm pretty certain my next boat will be an S28.

I'm after spotting an S28 with a single KAD44 - But it got me thinking, is it underpowered? It's only an extra 90HP than my KAD32 in my S23, my thinking is that only an extra 90HP in such a bigger boat isin't enough?

I don't want to buy a boat that will be struggling to get on the plane, I want plenty of power. But the thought of a twin engined boat makes me think I could be getting too big for my boots!
 
I reckon that by the time you ve got some cruising clobber and a few mates on board, its not going to be enough.
If its just you, and some local pottering about , it might just manage.
 
Thanks for confirming my suspicions, I don't mind the diesel consumption, but what I do mind is knowing that I only have the bare minimum powerwise. I like to know that I have the power, and then plenty more /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Jeepers Niall you'll keep the marine industry alive all by yourself if you maintain your current rate of trade ups. When will you be making an offer for SV2? At current LOA growth in the Alt camp, I'd guess as soon as 2010?
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Yes...and No!

If you cruise with a lot of gear and mates then it will struggle to get over the hump. However, the two on windermere coped well as they did not carry that much clobber. If you mainly cruise with the Mrs and can reduce the weight (the s28 has lots of storage) then you will be fine. I am a fan of the single engine S28, no idea why they were not more popular!

if the guy on Windermere had 4plus people on board he just dropped the majority of water overboard and ran with half tanks. If you can juggle the weight by using fuel/water and people/clobber then it will not disappoint. I had a similar size Regal with twin Petrols and he could get on the plane a lot faster than me...and mine was a sportsboat version (stepped hull etc). Also keeps on the plane better as it only has one lump not two and therefore some weight advantage with only one sterndrive hanging off the back. He could cruise at 15/16kts...me I neede 18kts!


Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Jeepers Niall you'll keep the marine industry alive all by yourself if you maintain your current rate of trade ups. When will you be making an offer for SV2? At current LOA growth in the Alt camp, I'd guess as soon as 2010?
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

No overheads Froggie - it's a real advantage /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
SV2 - hmm, a little big for me for the time being, however I will offer my services as voluntary crew in exchange for some WOT doghnuts! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

They say your 3rd boat will be 'the one' - I'm on my 6th (not including the TCat - thats a toy that i'll never sell) and still don't feel like i'm there yet. However I think the S28 will be a keeper for the long haul. I was considering a slower, bigger displacement cruiser - but i've to find a grey hair before I go down that route /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
There will be days when it's just myself and the GF, however there will also be other days when i'll want to bring the lads for a spin etc.

As a rule of thumb, I never leave base without a full tank - Call it stupid, I call it safety measure, and there's often the weekends that I go away when I decide to extend my cruising plan, or stay an extra night etc.

As regards to storage weight - Well, I like my comforts and always have stuff on board. I always like to keep at least 1/2tank water, and if going away for the weekend always make sure it's full - Again, some say it's a waste, but whats the point in having a sink/shower with no water?

So all in all, generally I will have a loaded boat

[ QUOTE ]
Yes...and No!

If you cruise with a lot of gear and mates then it will struggle to get over the hump. However, the two on windermere coped well as they did not carry that much clobber. If you mainly cruise with the Mrs and can reduce the weight (the s28 has lots of storage) then you will be fine. I am a fan of the single engine S28, no idea why they were not more popular!

if the guy on Windermere had 4plus people on board he just dropped the majority of water overboard and ran with half tanks. If you can juggle the weight by using fuel/water and people/clobber then it will not disappoint. I had a similar size Regal with twin Petrols and he could get on the plane a lot faster than me...and mine was a sportsboat version (stepped hull etc). Also keeps on the plane better as it only has one lump not two and therefore some weight advantage with only one sterndrive hanging off the back. He could cruise at 15/16kts...me I neede 18kts!


Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
 
S28 with Kad 44 , I have driven one , 4 adults , Fuel & water

and tops 30knots , tabs down to get over the hump & your

away , the lift is slower than with twins , but then service &

running costs go against that, very good hull , & a nice

package , but if in doubt get a test run. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
I have e-mailed the owner, if they get back to me i'll arrange a viewing so long as they're willing to give a test run with me on-board - It looks like a private sale so hopefully they won't make a big deal about a test run without deposit - I'll be honest with them and tell them my concerns

30 knots top end is fine, however i'd like to be able to cruiser at 20'ish knots, while still on the plane and without the bow aiming for the moon! Nothing worse than a stressed engine

I'd prefer to not to have to use tabs to get a boat on the plane. To me, tabs are to fix boat list, and to help when in rough weather rather than being ESSENTIAL to get a boat on the plane
 
Re your point on tabs , Having helmed a S28 with a kad 44 ,
she got over the hump no problem with 4 adults no tabs , the point is if you where loaded up you could always call on them for a bit support. good luck with the run. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
A number of my boats have had smallest engine option, and i've never really missed the extra power, it usually only makes 2-3 knots difference on max speed. I had S37 with 2 x 200 hp (AD41) and never had problems planing. S28 is a 4 person boat, so unless you regularly want to carry more people then KAD44 (260 hp?) should cope fine unless you weigh it down with loads too much gear.

Keep its bum and drive clean, and it'll still fly IMO
 
Thanks for the replies - if the owner gets back to me, i'll ask them if they'd have any problem with a 'no obligation' test run - stating my concern on performance

Thanks guys
 
The single engined S28's were never as popular as the twins, although one with a KAD44 should be okay performance-wise.
Easier to buy and easier on the wallet to run. Possibly not so easy to sell on.

dv.
 
I looked into this, and it had a certain appeal. Decided to go for the twin in the end, as I liked the idea, that should one engine go South, I'd hopefully still have the other to get me back in times of trouble.

Even with the tax hike, fuel hasn't been the nightmare you'd imagine - my average days boating around the Solent, with the de riguer trip to the island, doesn't get any worse than £50, with cruising at around 20-24 knots. And when I mean a day's cruising, I'm not talking a couple of hours!

I know we are in cost conscious times, but haven't regretted going for the twin KADS for a second.
 
Good to hear from owners. The fuel thing isin't the issue - it's the servicing - Do I really want a X2 bill. I guess it's a silly thing really, as I do use quite a lot of fuel (Over 2200 litres on a single KAD32 this summer alone). I guess my main worry is 'If something goes wrong' ie. if a gearbox goes etc. then I have the worry of having to replace 2 - Prob something I shouldn't worry about, any KAD32 i've ever had has never missed a heartbeat

Will let you guys know how I get on if I view her
 
Just on the servicing thing, the KAD44 is a good engine, but checking the valve clearances on these 24-valve heads is more involved than on the KAD32's.

On the KAD44, because of the way the fuel lines are routed and the shape of the rocker covers, you have to remove the fuel lines before you can even start, plus the valve adjustment process itself takes longer.

Other than that, changing belts, oil, filters, coolant etc. is very similar, except that you only have to do it on one engine!

Both engines should be generally reliable. KAD44 can have a few extra EDC niggles with sensors, but it's the outdrives that end up emptying your wallet.

dv.
 
S28 - Yeah, i'm taking all of that into consideration. The KAD32 has never let me down, and i'm on my 2nd now (because of a change of boats, not because 1 blew up) and servicing etc. is fine - it's a very affordable engine to run imho... that's why I may still yet go for the 'more expensive to run/service, but much more simple' setup
 
If you were to go for the KAD44 powered S28 you will always be thinking should I have gone for the KAD32 one, you know in your mind which one you want - don't we!! Sod the expense.

Steve
 
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