I have been out 2 times on the 30 ft. Outerbanks (KIK-N-BAK). I am very pleased on the way it handles. I do not think I would ever go with a single drive again. I was a Tuna Fisherman in my youth and operated a big skiff with a 671 Jimmy, single rudder. Was very good at steering the wide beast. My boat has twin TAMD 41 diesels and spins on a dime. Each are 210 hp. I ran all day at about 1200 rpms and burned about 10 to 12 gallons. Average from 5 to 6 knots according to the gps. The waters were sort of choppy but I am used to it. Once I got my sea legs going I decided to push it and see how it handled the high swell and confused seas. It did better at 2000 rpms and about 10 knots. It plowed through the water. When I was going slower, I took a few over the bow but felt very comfortable. The engines run about 160 deg at 1200 rpms. Pick up the speed to 2000 rpms and the temp goes to about 180 deg, which is probably where the stats are wide open. I do not want to push the engines until I feel more comfortable with the engines. Looking at what the boat does at 1200 and 2000, I figure I might be able to get about 13 knots max. I wieghed the boat and trailer, 3 axle, scales showed 21000 lbs. for all 3. The truck is about 6900, not sure about the 3 axle trailer, maybe 1500 lbs. I am guessing the boat is about 12,500 to 13,000, me and friend 500 lb and misc gear, about 14000 total. Maybe more. I read the specs on the engines and they are made for easy repair, maintenance, and fuel economy. I agree on all 3 points. Does anybody have any ideas on what speed I should get from all this info. If the props were tweeked , could I get a few more knots.
The boat was built for commercial fishing and can hold about 4000 lbs of fish, so the props may have been spec'd to get power rather then speed. Even if I do not get more then 12 knots, I am very happy with the boat. It lays over and comes back to center, pitches and yauls and all that and returns back to center. I did not feel it go much past center after each roll. When going into the swell it pops back up, you can feel it drop into the swell and the feel the bow pick up fast. Going down swell it comes back on course by itself. I left the boat alone going down swell to see if it came back to course and it settled down ok. It responds slow to the turn , whcih could cause someone to over steer the boat. I am sure it might act differnet according to a different swell size. I am learning how the boats acts and so far I can not be more pleased. Again, the best is when manuevering in tight corners at the ramp. I will send some picks as soon as I can get my daughters camera to only show boat picks and not all the other pictures she took of other things.
Al