Dual engine used boat recommendations?

[86Capri]

Hello all!

My wife and I have been playing around with little rinky dink boats over the years (Most of them $under $1000, 86 capri bayline I think 19 ft., a couple 25 HP outboard fiberglass 15 footers), and my wife and I have decided to get a "real" used boat. One we keep for a while. We have been flipping the small ones for little profits here and there while learning, fishing, and playing with them. Good thing too, because we have learned A LOT. Only forgot the plug once though!

I am looking for recommendations, or ideas for some dual engine boats to start looking for. As general or specific as you want, all recommendations are welcome. I will try and answer any questions for now, but we are looking at 18-22 ft, used obviously, in the $10,000-$15,000 range. If this is not enough (like it most likely isn't), how much more should we save up to get something decent?

Thanks all, this forum has been very helpful in our boating adventure!

Oh, and we like the idea of dual engines because my wife and I have been stuck on lakes and the puget sound, with no working motor a couple times. Embarrassing and stressful, we want to have a second one for peace of mind and reliability purposes. Logical? Bad idea?

 

[tpenfield]

In order to get twin (dual) engines, you typically have to go to about 28 feet and $30-50,000 in the used market, depending on how 'used' you want. I have seen a 26 footer with twins, but it is a rarity.

Is your preference to have twin I/O's or twin outboards? (or even twin inboards) ?

I went from a single engine boat to twins about 4 years ago (had a 24 foot single and now have a 33 foot twin). Twin engines do have their advantages, but also require 2X in maintenance.

 

[Scott Danforth]

As Ted pointed out, you need to go bigger to get twins

there are smaller boats in the 20 range with twin outboards, however these are normally CC's or cats.

a kicker moto makes a great back-up source of propulsion, however I simply use Tow Boat US.

Now on to your budget. The budget is a bit low, however this time of year, you can usually find someone looking to sell before putting their boat in storage. 10-15k will get you a well maintained mid 2000's 19 - 24 foot boat, single small block or a much older, larger boat in need of TLC. If reliability is key, I would avoid project boats.

 

[JoLin]

Like Scott said, for the size you're looking at and the type of boating you do, a Tow BoatUS or Seatow policy makes more sense than a second motor. I've been towed, my little boat's trailer has been flatbedded and I've been hauled off a hard grounding. Why be embarrassed? Stuff happens.

My .02

 

[redneck joe]

Towing is good but there are times when a kicker is a safetry feature, especially on the sound. If you are wanting to trailer and not keep in and pay for a slip a kicker is the way to go.


Bayliner made a nice 24 footer hard top and small cabin that a kicker would hang off nicely or plenty of dual outboard boats in your neck of the woods.

 

[boatman37]

many don't have access to the towing services though. as far as i know we don't have anything like that on the Ohio river near Pittsburgh. if you break down and nobody id out you are on your own. that is one reason why i am considering twins for our next boat

 

[86Capri]

Hello all,

Thanks for that information and recommendations. I had a feeling I would need a larger and more expensive boat for the twin engines. My wife and I have decided to snag up a couple more cheap o boats, fix them, and flip them again. Then revisit this again next year!

Thank you again!

 

[ondarvr]

The typical boat that size your region has a larger main motor and 9.9 kicker for fishing and getting you home if the main motor has a problem. This type of boat will fit in your price range.