duel motors or not?

[bradlovesboating]

I have a 1969 18' MFG caprice, its dry weight is around 1300lbs and with fuel and stuff im thinking 2500 plus. 2 years ago i took off the 75hp and put on a 1977 35hp evinrude. I did this for fuel savings and i only run the bay and river. Thats sandusky bay off of lake erie. Well im only getting 9mph from what the gps is telling me. I have a chance now of getting another 35hp same year and everything. If i run duel 35hp motors will i gain much? In fuel savings and mph? Thanks!

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: duel motors or not?

I have a 1969 18' MFG caprice, its dry weight is around 1300lbs and with fuel and stuff im thinking 2500 plus. 2 years ago i took off the 75hp and put on a 1977 35hp evinrude. I did this for fuel savings and i only run the bay and river. Thats sandusky bay off of lake erie. Well im only getting 9mph from what the gps is telling me. I have a chance now of getting another 35hp same year and everything. If i run duel 35hp motors will i gain much? In fuel savings and mph? Thanks!

I'm not sure, but I've never seen a boat with dual motors with such low h.p. You're better off, imo, selling the 35 hp and buying a 100 hp or something.

 

[pckeen]

Re: duel motors or not?

I have seen dual small horse motors - but very rarely. Two 35hp motors will probably weigh substantially more than a 70 horse. 35 horse is very underpowered, will have problems getting up on plane - so will use much more gas than it should. You may be better off switching to a larger engine. Did you actually save much in gas by going to the smaller?

 

[agallant80]

Re: duel motors or not?

Dont they have to counter rotate? One prop spins clockwise the other counter clockwise or else the boat will pull real hard to one side.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: duel motors or not?

Itis a nice to have if the motors counter rotate. On that small amount of HP, it will not make much difference. I predict a single 70HP OB will weigh less, use less fuel and go faster than twin 35HP motors. I am sure they will require more maintenance.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: duel motors or not?

Back in the day, people used to put duals on everything: twin 9.9 on small tinnies up to 35s which were the biggest you could buy then. Go ahead and mount twin 35s on your boat-- you should at least get on plane. AND: The song twin engines sing is beautiful. You will need to play around with props and the speed will not equal what you got with the single 75 but you are going to look good.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: duel motors or not?

Not a good idea. As others have said, sell your 35 and buy a 70 loop charged (if you are worrying about fuel efficiency) or something. You will be much better off for the following reasons:

2 engines to service
2 engines to fuel
2 lower units drag
2 engine steering hookup
2 engine weight

Back in the day when a 22 hp Buccaneer built by OMC, was all that was available at the nearby fishing store and OMC dealers sold 25 hp OMCs, and guys down on the Texas coast fishing the Gulf of Mexico wanted to upgrade their boat from a 16' plywood semi-v to an 18' the only choice they had was 2 of what was available. For dual engine installations on both size wooden boats, reports were dismal. On mph, on boats that were upgraded from one to two about 5 mph increase was all they got plus all the things I mentioned.

HTH,
Mark

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: duel motors or not?

I'm restoring an old wooden Thompson Sea Coaster, and I see them with dual 35's a lot on the Thompson web pages.
View attachment 206769

 

[bradlovesboating]

Re: duel motors or not?

Well ya i have allways seen back in the day duel 35hp like back in the 50's and stuff. The weight is not an issue, the 35hp is less then half what the 75hp i took off. I guess i was thinking if one breaks down i have one to get back to the dock. As in fuel im not sure if im saving or not. The wife and myself went on a 6.5 mile boat ride yesterday and used 2 1/2 gallons. I just think duel would be different and fun. But is it right way to go. LoL

 

[82rude]

Re: duel motors or not?

check out this web site.in theory twin 35,s would be 70hp.but then theres added drag etc to concider.those old woodys look great with twins expecially old 50,s style motors.Outboard horsepower - RIBnet Forums

 

[Texasmark]

Re: duel motors or not?

You are apparently comparing a 75 hp of the period to the 35's. Not so in today's world. But looks like you mind is made up so why ask us?

Mark

 

[NYBo]

Re: duel motors or not?

Will the transom accommodate twins?