Run with 1 or 2 engines

[Superchuck]

Hi I am planning a trip from Sheboygan WI. to Marinette WI. The trip is around 120 miles give or take and I want to get the best gas milage. I have a 1987 270 Searay Sundancer with twin 5.7's. I am new with boats that have twin engines. When I go should I run both engines or only one?

 

[etracer68]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

Run both motors, it takes power to move a boat, so if you run one, you will have to run it at higher rpms to maintain same speed. Besides, the boat is designed to run two, and will perform best with two. Having twin screws is a good thing, if one has issues, then you still have the other to get you into port.

Welcome to IBoats, and have fun, thats a nice trip, I have done it, keep an eye out for weather, it comes fast.

 

[Superchuck]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

Great! thanks for the info.....

 

[rbh]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

Our 270 is a 85, we get 40 MPH or 70 KmPH+- (55 if we repropped) max speed.
Yes use both motors.
It likes to wonder in low wake zones, so keep an eye on that.
If your propped right once you get it up on plane trim out and drop the throttles back to were you have a comfortable cruise speed.
The 125 gallon fuel tank should keep you going quite a while.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

Yes, you need both engines pretty much all the time. The only time I run on a single is occasionally going through a narrow canal with boats packed in on both sides. There're a lot of those around here. By popping one engine into neutral I can cut my speed to a couple mph.

Have fun on your trip!

 

[Superchuck]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

Thank you !! That is great info that i will use!!!!

 

[QC]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

Our 270 is a 85, we get 40 MPH or 70 KmPH+- (55 if we repropped) max speed.

Just don't use that bit there. Our esteemed Canadian colleague is smoking some really bad seaweed . . .

 

[rbh]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

Just don't use that bit there. Our esteemed Canadian colleague is smoking some really bad seaweed . . .

OK, so its here say, but I will bite!

(I heard it here so its gotta be the truth, don't it??? )

 

[etracer68]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

QC,^^^^ I was thinking, I'd like to try some, its been over 25yrs, since the good old days.

 

[QC]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

I heard it here so its gotta be the truth, don't it???

Good point!! Let me rephrase: Here at iboats, our help is soooooo good that we can get you 15 MPH with a simple prop change.

May be my new sig

 

[rbh]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

Good point!! Let me rephrase: Here at iboats, our help is soooooo good that we can get you 15 MPH with a simple prop change.

May be my new sig

270 sundancer twin 260s
Actually my math was off a little- on GPS, 69.89 KMPH = 43.42MPH
From dead stop till plane 6-7 seconds.
120 gallons of fuel+-, 8-10 gallons of water, camping equipment, food, 8 flats of beer, 2x40s of rum
(nothing consumed "YET")
2 people and clean hull, sorta.

 

[Superchuck]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

Do any of know anything about radars? If so can you check out my post Furuno Radar post under the ele. ect part of the forum list.

 

[QC]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

Actually my math was off a little- on GPS, 69.89 KMPH = 43.42MPH

RPM? I wanna to do some math.

 

[etracer68]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

rbh, 8 flats of beer, is that 8x24? plus rum. I dont think the seaweed is needed here, but if you have a desinated captin, can I join your crew.

 

[rbh]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

RPM? I wanna to do some math.

If I remember we had it at 4650+- RPM, both motors synced, props are 14x20 I think?

(in someones wake with a good tail wind )

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

are you taking the long way around door county, or are you cutting through strugeon bay.
I am familiar with the area, I grew up in sheboygan, and drive to strugeon bay for work daily.

 

[Superchuck]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

I was planning to go through Sturgen bay. any pointers that I should looking at

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

Let's not forget this is Lake Michigan and not an inland lake.
It is like the Ocean, Only Worse!

Forget 50 mph or even 40. You will get beaten to death.
"Calm" on the Great Lakes is considered any waves under 1 foot.

The boat will make its best fuel economy (MPG) around 3500 rpm.
That should put you between 25 and 30 mph.
But that may be too fast if the seas are running 2-3 feet.

If you are planning on getting there in 4 hours you may be disappointed.
Take an 8 hours mind set and you will likely arrive very early or on time at the worst.

 

[Superchuck]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

I was thinking on 8 to 10 hrs. I did bring the boat up from port washington. I was just not sure if there was a trick of the trade on getting better gas mileage when running on longer trips.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Run with 1 or 2 engines

Forget the gas mileage...that's not why you bought a boat. Plan on 1-1.5 MPG and be happy when you do better (I don't )

The fun part is the trip itself, not actually being there. Good food, good friends, good music, and maybe a cocktail or two. Do it just for the fun of it.