330ss Diesel


Was that a special order option? Because i do not see that option in any of the brochures I have from Formula in anything less than a 370. And if thats the case I wonder if Formula will special order other engines if you want. I.E. a 330SS with 500hp's Now that would be a fun boat. All the amenities and still able to blow most stock 30 footers away on the water!
 
My boat is a 98 with KAD44EDC volvos, Formula offered the KAD43 as an option, however I've been told the 44s Were available at the end of 98. 43s are rated 230 hp@3800rpm and the 44s are 260@3800rpm. I believe the ratings to be somewhat conservative based on fuel consumtion and performance
 
I would assume that you have a duoprop drive, right? How does she plane out with all that weight back there? Do you notice a difference in the way she sits in the water at rest? does she look like some of those fountains I see where at rest the swim platform is under water? Also what is your cruise speed and what is your top speed? Is the trade off worth it to you?
 
What Trade-Off ??? Boat will cruise @ 37 MPH and yield 2.75 MPG with full fuel 160 GL. +20 GL. water , gear and crew. Gets up on plane like a 26 footer. I am running DPE duoprop drives. If you look at the photo you'll see it does not squat, Boat will cruise @ 42mph and tops out over 50, The 37mph seems to be the best combination for speed-and-economy
 

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I guess with those numbers there isn't really any trade off. I thought possibly it would plane out slower if the diesels were alot heavier, and quite frankly did not expect your top end to be that much. And as you said it looks perfectly balanced sitting in the water.

I do not know what my best cruise is gph wise. It seems to be happiest around 38-40mph. Runs smooth and fairly effortlesly. Comes on plane like shot out of a cannon. My top end is real close to 60mph but realistically I do not spend much time there at all.

I am sure the upcharge for diesels, had they been available when I ordered my boat, would have been enough to scare me away though.

I would be curious to see how many people took advantage of that offer also. Although I would assume it wasn't a very popular option if they don't offer it anymore. Of course it could be a special order only thing too, and not advertised.

With the numbers you have it would seem the only downside would be initial price. Too bad they can't get that down a bit. Maybe a lot more people being able to get into or stay into boating with those fuel numbers.
 
Probably the largest single benefit of the diesels is range, At slow cruise I've got a range in excess of 450 mile . I never buy fuel on the water, As I trailer the boat, and its cheaper to run than I would have imagined!!!!!!
 
This is way off topic but as it seems only you and I are engaged in this conversation. I am very interested in the set up for trailering your boat. What trailer do you have, what do you tow with, how far, any width hassles,etc.... Have considered getting a trailer for mine mostly to be able to store it in the winter and possibly take it on one trip to a distant cruising ground a year.
 
Gurryman,

I'll add to this!  What size props and pitch are you spinning on the drives.  I would think that with all that torque you could be spinning bigger wheels??
 
Volvo has a funky way of labeling thier props. That said, I'm turning C7's  The fastest prop available for that drive. the boat will exceed max rated rpm by about 50 rpm with 4 people aboard. I could tweek them but I probably would only gain 1-2 mph at best, not worth it IMHO      t                                                                                                                                                                            As to the trailering Question, I pull the boat on A Fastload aluminum trailer . Trailer is a 32-36 foot spec with stainless disc brakes on all 6 wheels. Had the trailer built for the boat. (one note " If I were to have another trailer built in the future I would be very carefull who I consign the job to") Probably another thead there!  I pull the boat with a 3/4 ton dodge diesel. Pulls great about 13700 lbs,It may take you a little time to get used to the size , I guess it depends on your experience. I launched and retrived 24 times this season. No real issues other than tides. As far as degree of difficulty loading, I always launch/retive solo and under power. Here's a photo of the alternate tow vehicle                                                                                   
 

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So can I read between the lines that if I were to get a trailer maybe the company you went with shouldn't be my first choice? What if anything should I be aware of as far as fitting a trailer to this boat? Are you using a regular surge brake actuator or one of the newer air or electric over hydraulic units?

I actually already own the 3/4 ton Dodge diesel. Mine is a 2002 h.o 6 spd. I am sure of its ability to move that weight want to be sure of its ability to control that weight. From prior experience towing most of that will depend on a well built properly set up trailer. So any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Btw I noticed in this pic it appears like you also have some sort of hard top. Was that a Formula option or something you had made for your boat? It looks very cool.
 
As you may have noticed, I have a little exp. towing trailers. My trailer is surge brakes, not the most braking power but simple to maintain and repair, if nessasary. Key is to balance the boat properly on the trailer. I opt for about 800 lbs tongue weight. Never go below 600 . Trailer pulls like a dream I could go 70 , but I never exceed 55-60 with the boat. I have a few years of experience hauling specialized loads and the best thing to do is slow down and avoid the hairy situations.  Youll be surprised how long it takes to stop your truck and trailer even with traler brakes.  When you order a trailer make sure you can depend on the mfr. to deliver line-item.                             The hard-top on my 330SS Diesel was designed by the previous owner, and built by composite yacht. I was told the total cost was 14K. I had initially planned on removing it ,however after a few days in the summer New England sun, I have a feeling its gonna stay on the boat as long as I own it.  Its actually sturdy enough that two scantaly clad bikinis can lay out on it SORRY no photos 
 
:eek: Photos :mad: Photos ::) Please please!!

Hardtop looks great!

I haul my 31 PC with a custom Eagle Trailer. They used to make trailers custom to the boat manufacturers specs and the part number on the trailer states "99 to 2001 31 PC Twin" If you look in the Cruiser section you will see pic of boat and traile with Snow on it! Triaxle with surger brakes. all three axles have brakes.

Gurryman, I assume your trailer is a bunk type. How many bunks? I have 2 that run the keel from front to back then I have 2 more on each side starting 2/3rds back to the transom. They also have a gap in them for a sling on a travel lift.
 
Castines, My trailer is presently set up with two outboard bunks from the helm aft and v-guides up forward. I'll be changing to bunks forward before the spring. The mfr. did set the trailer up for the boat, and everything was within an inch. not bad considering they didn't have the boat to work off of. As for pictures? I know that sooner or later I'll have to close my eyes and sleep. And I prefer to awake intact........
 
Yes I figured you had towed a time or two from the picture. My last boat, a 25' pursuit I trailered extensively. From Boston To the keys. And lots of places in between. SO I am comfortable towing. The trailer the pursuit was on when I bought it turned out to be overloaded. SO I bought a Float-On trailer on Pursuits recommendation. It was supposed to be custom made for the boat. Unfortunately it was built for a boat with outboards not an I/O which is what the sales order said by the way. After lots of road side brake failures and fires they finally built me another with the right weight balance. It had four wheel disc brakes with a surge actuator. I was less than impressed with its braking performance. The first trailer had four wheel drum brakes and it would stop the whole rig. I changed the Float-ons plastic brake lines to stainless steel which helped a little. But it was never real good. the whole rig weighed about 7500lbs. After talking to a bunch of people I determined that a surge brake actuator does not produce enough brake fluid pressure to properly engage disc brakes. Drum brakes only require about 700-900 psi to operate while disc brakes need 1500-1800 to work to their full potential. Which is why I always figured this boat would need a different set up than surge brakes. But your saying they are OK? Electric over hydraulic or air over hydraulic had just started trickling down to trailer boats when I sold that boat and trailer so i never did my full research into those systems.

As I said I am very interested in your set up as You are the first person I have talked to who trailers a 330. When I asked at the dealer they thought I was mad. DO you ever get hassled for being over width? And would you be comfortable towing with your dodge on a long distant trip? Say 8 hours or more?
 
As to towing any distance? I haven't towed more than one hour each way, I'm located between Narragansett and Buzzards Bays so theres no need to . I would'nt have a problem towing from a mechanical stantpoint, However the 330ssDiesel is 10'2" at it's widest point, and most juristictions require any vehicle wider than 102" to be placcarded (wide-load) and beacon after dark, Plus a permit either annual or day trip is required. My boat loaded behind the pick-up looks long but the shape gives the illusion of a narrow go fast, never been hasstled. Probably the reason I dont use the Peterbilt is that it would give an 8' wide reference and define the boat as overwidth.     As to the braking issue ? The surge brakes are powered by the inertia of the trailer moving forward against the master cylinder located in the tougue, as you would expect a heavier load creates more braking force.  Being in the transportation industry has given me some exp and insight as far as simple systems are far more practical for intermittent use. Being that they tent to maintain operational status at a far lower operation and agravational expense. That said, certain systems are more effective than others (It your Money)  If you were going into the boat transport buissiness I would support the Latest & Greatest. Keep in mind what your trying to accomplish................Happy Trails
 
Thanks for all the info. I kind of figured most cops wouldn't stop and measure me if I wasn't doing anything stupid. Guess I was more concerned about the trucks ability to handle that load. I have no doubts about its ability to move it. I have done a few things to it and that truck pulls like a torque monster. But it is nice to chat with someone with a similar truck who has first hand experience.

Have a great new years eve!

Thanks, John
 
Gurryman said:
Probably the largest single benefit of the diesels is range, At slow cruise I've got a range in excess of 450 mile . I never buy fuel on the water, As I trailer the boat, and its cheaper to run than I would have imagined!!!!!!
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I quess you can run "off road" diesel too , huh? I mean , after all , how much further "off road" can you ge than on the water ;D
 
I do run "Off Road Fuel" however I buy low sulfur fuel. and yes I have it tested. I have a friend that works at a local university. (I like to know I'm getting what I'm paying for)
 
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