The Difference Between Twin or Single Engine

[Tae3xEng]

Good day,

Excuse my ignorance but I am a novice. I'm looking at buying my 1st boat. It will be something used. I've been considering an early 90's 280 Baja ES/Renegade (or something along those lines), however in looking on craigslist, ebay, oodle, and several other sites I've noticed that some boats will be powered by twin 7.4's and others will be powered by a single 7.4 (or whatever the enginue size maybe). What confuses me is that often the owners will list the speeds around 60-70mph on GPS. So my question why have two engines if you're traveling around same speed? Is that just for offshore USCG certification or there a huge difference in the acceleration? It sounds like the point of deminishing return.

Please Help.

 

[thumpar]

Re: The Difference Between Twin or Single Engine

I would doubt a single 7.4l 28' boat would get to 70mph. Maybe if the hull is right and light it might be able to touch 60 on a good day. Twins give you twice the power so you can go faster, don't take that wrong though, twice the power doesn't mean twice the speed. And remember 2 motors means 2 times the fuel.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: The Difference Between Twin or Single Engine

with twins you can turn on a dime.... one drive in forward, the other in reverse..... very useful when docking. Something I would care for more than the speed, but that's just me.

 

[Tae3xEng]

Re: The Difference Between Twin or Single Engine

Twice the fuel Vs better Dock handling hmm.

Thank you Two.

Should I consider anything else?

 

[coolbri70]

Re: The Difference Between Twin or Single Engine

I have a friend with a 30' boat that does 70 on a single engine, seems like the outdrive is allways failing on him and get gets the performance ones. so maybe 2 would be better

 

[kfa4303]

Re: The Difference Between Twin or Single Engine

Twice the motors means twice of almost everything, but speed. Twice the maneuverability, but twice the fuel consumption. Twice the safety/security, twice the maintenance costs. Twice as easy to work on/replace a motor, 1/2 as attractive as a sleek inboard. You'll have to decide for yourself if it's worth it, but I can tell you that all the big boys down here in FL generally prefer to run multiple outboards rather than single, large, inboard motors if for not other reason than safety. With multiple outboards, chances are one of them will always work and can get you home. Whereas, inboards are an all-or-none proposition. They either work, or they don't.

 

[Tae3xEng]

Re: The Difference Between Twin or Single Engine

The security of two motors is exactly what I was considering when I first started looking.