16v149s at Newport Show

Yep
My local shop used to rebuild those monsters in their shop. The hydraulic dyno (at that time) could not put a full load on the 16v149T (A or I, think A)

You can Not idle around 149s. A real machine that was made to run. Generators that ran whole Towns, Dredges, Tugs. When it comes to commit pure torque to a shaft and near fly, the big 149s were here.
That many horses are going to draw some fuel. Big Cats and others are going to draw fuel. If they run good with no maintenance issues, run em & run em proudly. The exhaust tone must be awesome.
I would think they are ALMOST as much forgiving as a 71. No forgiveness in a strung 92.
At 1600 hp each VS the other models, Maybe a lil more fuel. The weight pr HP stinks VS newer engine packages. But it's already there and reliable.
3200 total HP is going to consume a bunch of fuel no matter who's what block you have down there.

Now,,, Do you like the boat???

Not really. A 1650HP C32 acert burns 70 gph at 80% load
a 2000hp 16v2000 burns 75GPH at 80%

compared to 100 gph??? And both of the motors above would net a higher cruise speed as well.

The 1800 bhp 16v149TIs (non DDEC) consume a bit over 90gph on the pins (EACH). 80% load would be lower to that and closer to your figures.
Still not a mpg king VS newer models, but not that bad.

Then double the numbers (twin installation) and that 100gph quote get blown away (under a good load). At 1550 rpm (Max 1900) the 149 maybe a touch underloaded but doing 50gph each (1450bhp).

Anybody who can afford these burn rates is probably not a MPG bean counter anyway. Within a few local fishing trips they may burn more that I do all year. I think the 149s that are are out there are pretty dependable.

Swear it would be cheaper; short AND long term to put 3 Cats in vs. any twin big MTUs.

Sorry, Didn't mean to set a bad vibe on MTUs,,,,,,

Sorry, YES I DID.


Never witnessed a more expensive POS to maintain and operate than MTUs.

Amazing thing, bunch of the MTU stuff out there. Everybody loves to go fast. They can afford the cost of going fast, the maintenance is a part of routine operation. WAY above my level of redneck logic.

Oh yea there are a leading seller,,, Paxman don't do it any more. MAN (& the remaining pieces of Paxman) can't do it & Caterpillar can't deliver the HP per weight that MTU delivers.
So yes, they sell and sell often.

Everybody wants to go fast. Like fuel, Maintenance just cost money.

Did'nt mean to put a strong condemnation on MTUs. When you have money (lots & lots). It's hard to explain to a new boat shopper to do some real serious research, cost to maintain / rebuild, resale analysis, option shopping and soul searching before you make that order.

Simple rednecks who don't understand the 6th or 7th zero on a money line, can understand (still can't afford it).

One of the few Pershing 80s in the country (USA, couple of years ago) Came into Jax. The captain explained he ran out of fuel before he ran out of daylight (Gasp).

The exhaust manifold and gaskets gave out somewhere off of Daytona.
People can rent a home / year for less than it cost to clean up the engine room. MTU warranty was great. The repair cost could buy that home.
Yep, We made that ER shine like new..

Discovered this was not a rare event.

Cats may not be that powerful or fast. Never heard of repeat exhaust manifold or gasket issues on a Cat engine.

Yep, more & more are powered by MTUs. I just poured Buba another Miller.

,Later dudes

Multiple Trouble Units???

MTU= Multiple Trouble Units.

I like that.