Sea Ray 370 Venture - outboard-powered cruiser-gctid406428

[Guest]

Interesting implementation. I think this is an interesting concept with the outboards covered and in front of a fully functional swim platform. Concepts are ugly but it could be made to have a neat layout with the space gained by not having an engine compartment

Makes a lot of sense for Florida/costal boaters... will be interesting to see if the popularity quickly extends inland and to other brands/models.

[Guest]

VERY interesting concept. I'm old school and always thought of outboards as bulletproof. Add to that, less weight, a better power to weight ratio, the space savings, the great layout and it's a winner IMO. pefect for a cruising couple on Lake Michigan and for entertaining. I'd love to be the first "big pond" owner of this boat. Wonder where the price will fall? I'd imagine with O/Bs which require less install and ancillary systems etc, it should be cheaper than a comparable 370 Sundancer??

[Guest]

captjmh wrote:
VERY interesting concept. I'm old school and always thought of outboards as bulletproof. Add to that, less weight, a better power to weight ratio, the space savings, the great layout and it's a winner IMO. pefect for a cruising couple on Lake Michigan and for entertaining. I'd love to be the first "big pond" owner of this boat. Wonder where the price will fall? I'd imagine with O/Bs which require less install and ancillary systems etc, it should be cheaper than a comparable 370 Sundancer??

I think of sterndrives as bulletproof :P

Outdrives are far more expensive than sterndrives I believe. The space savings is big though, and obviously engine replacement is a lot easier There are also no common dual-prop outdrives, no common diesel options, etc.

Not sure what "less install and ancillary systems" means... sterndrives pretty much drop in as well and then you add just about the same rigging - gauges, throttle/shift cables (or electric), etc. So I think the outdrive boat would be pricier than if it was a sterndrive, but you gain room unless they're marketing the several feet of swim platform/outdrive space as part of the boat length.

[dktool]

I'd love to hang a 4 stroke 250 hp Honda on a bracket out past my swim platform on my 2459, just imagine how many Honda generators I could fit in what "was" my engine bay ?

[Guest]

Here are some real pics:

[img]/media/kunena/attachments/vb/710235=30435-370x.jpg[/img]

[img]/media/kunena/attachments/vb/710235=30436-venturej.jpg[/img]

[Guest]

I think outboards and I/O set ups are comparably priced. A Merc Verado goes for about 20K as far as I know. A comparable 300hp BIII set up would be about the same. Set up and install of an I/O has to be more labor intensive than just hanging an outboard and you eliminate blower systems, bellows, u-joints, gimbal bearings, transom assemblies, engine alignment, closed cooling systems. I think of outboards as more like a "plug & play" system.

[Guest]

In the late 80s L-drive concept was being developed as a hybrid outboard/inboard. There are still boats out there with Force L-drive power heads.

[Guest]

dktool wrote:
I'd love to hang a 4 stroke 250 hp Honda on a bracket out past my swim platform on my 2459, just imagine how many Honda generators I could fit in what "was" my engine bay ?

This been posted here a while ago, guy did awesome outboard conversion on his 2452.

[Download_Complete]

Wow. Who would have guessed Sea Ray of all things would come up with a truly groundbreaking idea? And they did it by perfecting the Bayliner L Drive?!?!?!

I LOVE this idea. It really will only work on larger twin engine sunbridge type designs, but what a great idea.

Now it's only going to be a matter of time until we see dual prop outboards, diesels, etc...

[itsabowtime2]

That full beam master is more like something you would see on a 50+ footer. Once the kids are grown up I could see myself with one of those.

[Guest]

I hate outboards, but if they are covered up I can see where it might be good. Sure saves on engine room space compared to a V8. But only 600 HP in a 37-footer...?