280 Sundancer twin V6 or one 496 Magnum

We had a 28 footer at the water line with twin 3.8 V6 drove it at 22 knots at 3,800 RPM it burnt 1 liter a minute. We kept it in salt water all year. Each year we got it halled, hull cleaned and painted, oil changed in stern drives. In all we spent 2,500 to do all that. We put 100 to 120 hours on it each year for 5 years.
Working on engines was very tight. Boat had a 10.5 foot beam.
 
I have owned 5 alpha’s over a twenty year period - both Gen 1 and 2.
Currently I own an 89 Alpha Gen 1 on a single 5.7 and twin Alpha 2001 Gen 2s on a 280DA w 4.3’s.

I love them. Had great service. The Gen 2s had some improvements like better zincs, better water pumps, oil feeder, etc. When I was shopping for my 280, I specifically looked for alphas.

I wanted twins for redundancy and close quarters maneuvers. I wanted alphas because two alphas are about the same expense to maintain/replace as one B3.

I can remove the Alpha, perform service, and put it back by myself, no help needed or wanted. B3 is a lot bigger.

In your age range, consider you will be needing new transom assemblies. Check pricing differences.

For a boat in the water, duo-props are a challenge due to corrosion. With alphas, you could mount aluminum props with a good set of zincs and, if you boat is bonded properly and your dock is pure (no stray current) you will beat the corrosion monster. I have been battling the demon with duo-props on my work boat for months and still losing.

My engine room with twin 4.3 is plenty roomy for me and I do all my own maintenance.

Good discussion. Both choices have advantages/disadvantages.
 
Our first boat this year - 2003 280 with the twin 4.3l engines. We boat on the Ohio River. The port coupler went out a few weeks ago - I can tell you it was a relief to have an engine to limp home on rather than float downstream waiting for help and hoping there was no barge traffic!!

I can also tell you as a first time boat driver that docking with twin engines into our slip is a breeze.

Performance with the twin 4.3l engines is great. We can sip gas at 8mph, cruise comfortably at 25mph, or drop hammer up to 45mph if we need to.
 
Not sure if the OP is still active, but here's my take. His info said he was looking for a 28-34 ft boat.

280 is great if you plan on trailering at least a little ( I started looking at them for this reason), and given his location, twins would be my pick with a preference for the twin 5.0/B3 because of the old adage "There's no replacement for displacement".

However, given he's in salt and probably in the water year round, I'd suggest a 340 with twin 8.1's and v-drives. One of the biggest reasons is you get one of Sea Rays most popular boats (thinking resale). They all have MX but this would give you room, power in reserve when/if you needed it and one of Mercruisers best engines. Lots of upgraded creature comforts as well.

I bet you add up the costs between these two boat and its not a whole lot in the grand scheme of boat ownership. Not chump change, but probably certainly worth a look.

Food for thought.
 

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