[hharney]

I have a 68 C model 337 and I own 1/2 share in a Piper PA30 Twin Comanche. Insurance is a little more on the TwinCo and the 337 burns more fuel, 17 vs 22. The TwinCo with it's 4 cylinder Lycoming IO320's are easier on OH and Annuals. The Lycomings are 2000 hr TBO and the Continental IO360's in the 337 are only 1600 hrs, but nobody OH's at TBO. Lot's of info on the message board about the OH on the 337 engines too. You will find that the 337 is just a little more finicky when comes to maintenance and annuals. Find a good AP/AI that knows the aircraft and it won't be too bad. Stuff like gear swing, rear engine, booms and tail are all a lot different than the TwinCo but once you have done it a few times it's just another day. The 337 is much easier to enter and exit. No climbing up on the wing and falling into the cabin. The other nice advantage for the 337 is you can see out of it. Flying the TwinCo provides NO visual under and limited to the lower sides. Neither aircraft are for the light-hearted. Be prepared to spend a sizable chunk of annual money to keep these guys in the air. I figure my annual fixed costs to be around $10,000 with hanger, this is before you start the engine and add reserves for the engines. It's getter tougher and tougher each year to keep this up. I don't really know how long I can continue without seeking a partner or help in some way. My annual flying has gone from 120 hrs to 60 hrs in the last several years. Each time you go for the Saturday pancake run on the weekend it's $175 for fuel. I don't even think about the other hourly expenses or I probably would just park it. It's not a 182, so be prepared to keep the aircraft airworthy it's going to cost.