1motor or 2

[ozzycat]

I have an 18 foot half cabin that I need to repower.When I bought it recently it had a v6 merc on,but most of its life it has had twin 70s.The transom is set up for twins at 20inches high.What do you guys reackon about 1 bigger motor or 2 smaller ones,particularly with fuel economy.

 

[JB]

Re: 1motor or 2

I can see only 2 benefits of twins:
1. Security. If you lose an engine offshore or in wilderness waters you can get home. This is enhanced if one engine can plane the boat.
2. If you troll a lot on one engine it usually uses less fuel than a big single.

But:
1. Twins are usually heavier than an equivalent single.
2. Twins make more drag and use more fuel to not go as fast as an equivalent single.
3. Twins usually cost more than a big single.
4. Twins usually involve twice the maintenance and cost.

So it depends on your use and your priorities. I might use twins on an offshore sport fisherman, but for anything else I would use a good single.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: 1motor or 2

Agree from what I have seen and read.....never had twins. Somebody was talking about using twins on a medium sized boat hear awhile back and I think the mention was that they only picked up 4mph with the twins.

I also hear, we get, threads from folks who apparently have twins as they talk about this engine does this and the other doesn't and all.

Looking in a '97 Merc catalog, a single 75 hp weighs 305 lbs; obviously duals would be 610 plus any duplicate rigging, batteries or what have you. But you can get all the way up to a 200 hp V6 for 390 lbs and the V6 is a 6 cyl, not a pair of 3's. Take it from an ex 6 cylinder owner; 3 cyls are not smooth like 6's are.

Mark

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1motor or 2

agree, you can always add a troller on a adjustable mounting plate.

 

[xtraham]

Re: 1motor or 2

double trouble..............8)

 

[Chief101]

Re: 1motor or 2

I like twins. I don't consider the maintenance on 2 strokes as a lot of maintenance, If your boat is already set for twins than the weight should be no problemo. If you can afford twins you can also afford the extra fuel usage, if any.. Slo-speed handling in tight spaces is enhanced. And, darn-it, it just looks cool. Chief .)

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1motor or 2

Depends on usage as has been stated above. Big single and a troller that can get you home makes sense with the weight and drag thing. There again with twins, summising that they both will get the same amount of usage, if one breaks down on you then the other one will probably not be too far behind it with the same problem. Worth thinking about !!

 

[ozzycat]

Re: 1motor or 2

thanks very much for the advice, Ithink it may be one big one for now.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1motor or 2

thanks very much for the advice, Ithink it may be one big one for now.

And a troller ??