I am unfamiliar with the "volvo 280" but if that is a single I/O I understand your frustration. Inboards are much better for heavier boats like these. A gibson Houseboat with twin inboards will run 30 Mph. The 44s with twin 502s will really fly. The hull on the burns is similar to the gibson. Twin 350s with Vdrives should get your cruising speed around 20 Mph with a wot of 25 or even 30 Mph. Pirate would have the performance numbers as he and Burns were friends. Start a n ew thread asking about perfoormance of burns when new.

Woodboat,

Thanks for the photos of your 50' Burns-Craft Houseboat. We originally built a 44' and a 49' which eventually became the 45 and 50.

Best wishes,

Jerry W. Burns, aka "Burnscraft"