Twin Engines Question

[stunod]

Hi,<br /> I've been looking at used boats 27' 1985ish and a lot of them have twin engines. All that goes thru my head is....Lets see....2 engines, thats 2 manifolds & risers to change, thats 2 outdrives to fix, thats 2 of EVERYTHING.<br /><br />Question: Do you have to have both engines on to drive the boat? If on engine breaks, can I just use the one?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Lou

 

[DJ]

Re: Twin Engines Question

Stunod,<br /><br />Two engines are a great safety factor. Yet, you're right, they're also double the trouble and maintenance.<br /><br />Will a single push the boat in case of the loss of the other? Yes, but not very efficiently. Alot depends on the horsepower of each. The remaining single may or may not plane the boat. Only a test drive will confirm or deny that fact.<br /><br />Still, at least, a remaining single will get you home at displacement speeds.

 

[Mikedg]

Re: Twin Engines Question

Most boats will not plane with one of the two engines out. For boats 26' plus I would strongly recommend twins for ease of handling. Most of my boating buddies that started with 24-27' singles have all traded up to twins. If you can find a good used boat with twin V6's seriously consider it. I'll never go back to a single after running twins for the past 3 seasons.

 

[L Christopher]

Re: Twin Engines Question

stunod, I have shopped that market before. I saw a trend, the express and pleasure boats must sit alot because the hours registered didn't seem too bad but the fishing machines all had thousands of hours (1985ish - 1990ish. My advise whatever you do: Get It Surveyed!!!

 

[Solittle]

Re: Twin Engines Question

Have had it both ways in the past 30 years. My take on it is if you buy a new boat & motor, a single is fine. For used I prefer twins. My current rig is a 1988 23' Wellcraft CC with twin OMC SeaDrives. And yes I have had to run on one engine when the other crapped out - - might be a pain at times but you get where you need to go.<br /><br />By the way ther is an excellent evaluation of a Boston Whaler in Boat Trader which just came out. They evaluated the boat wit a big single (225 or 250) and a pair of 135s. The results might surprise you.