I used to own a 21-foot Pursuit walk around with a single 200 h.p. Yamaha, but I didn’t like the walk around layout and sold it to focus on flats fishing a few years ago. When I look at my friend Bill’s older 25-foot Pursuit with twin 135 h.p. Yamahas I come to the conclusion that I would have been right the first time had I chosen a 21-foot center console rather than the walk around model. Here’s my rationale:

Efficiency: The 200 horsepower Yamaha was pretty efficient and certainly fast enough despite driving a heavier boat than would be the case with a center console. Bill’s two 135 horsepower Yamahas seem awfully thirsty when a day’s fishing is done, the result of pushing around a much larger boat.

Safety: Is it really better to have two engines rather than one? I know this topic is debated a lot but what gets my attention is the argument by many mechanics that the most likely cause of engine failure is bad fuel. Unless you spend a lot more to get entirely separate fuel systems for each engine (and take the trouble to fill those tanks from two entirely different sources), you probably aren’t a lot better off than having a single engine. And if you supplement that single engine with a 15 horsepower outboard with its own on-deck fuel tank for trolling and “get home” emergency use, you’re in pretty good shape safety wise.

Useability: Granted, a bigger boat can take rougher water. But on how many days will conditions be just right so that I won’t take out a 21-foot center console but Bill will take out his 25-footer? Not many is my guess. Either it will be calm enough for both of us or too rough for either of us. And since I prefer to fish alone or with one friend, there’s plenty of room on a 21-footer.

Expense: A bigger boat costs more; two engines cost more than one to buy, operate and maintain; and a bigger boat requires a bigger lift or a bigger tow vehicle. If you’ve got all the money you need, be my guest, but I always think in terms of opportunity costs. If I can get a suitable vessel to meet my fishing needs for $10,000 less, that’s $10,000 I’ve got left to invest (or spend on fishing tackle, etc.).

Handling: I’ll readily concede that twin-engine boats are easier to maneuver than single-engine boats, but at the size I’m pondering that really isn’t much of an issue. I can get either into my lift, so the marginally better turning at idle speed isn’t a big factor. Besides, as some veteran charter skippers point out, the twin engines on boats this size are too close together to really give you a lot of extra maneuverability.

Coolness: Yep, no doubt about it, twins look and sound cooler than a single. But who am I trying to impress? It’s the opportunity cost thing again. Neither you nor anyone else can see that left-over money from buying a smaller boat that I have invested, but I know it’s there and as a result I sleep better.

What’s your opinion? What would you be buying to go out of Florida’s inlets up to 30 miles out?