Re: 1976 OMC 235 HP Windows Media Video
My boat can turn on a dime using two methods. Turning the stringers hard to port and putting the port engine into forward gear will make the boat rotate in place at about the mid point (Same with starboard engine and turn). Keeping the out drives straight and putting one engine into reverse and one into forward will turn rotate the boat with the mid point about 6 feet in front of the boat at a slower rate than turning the out drives hard over. It's usually very windy in Kansas so I don't usually have the chance to use differential thrust because I usually need to rotate the boat quicker than the wind will push me into something.
I found that just using one engine or the other when approaching a dock or trailer will help scoot the aft of the boat left or right without turn the boat. If I am straight I'll use both engines to push forward or back, if the stern is a bit too far port than I use the port engine to push forward or the starboard engine for back, if the aft is too far starboard I'll use the starboard engine for forward and the port engine for backing. This works like a poor mans stern thruster.
It's much easier to load my cabin cruiser onto the trailer than it is either of my little tri-hulls. I can usually get it lined up in one go.
I haven't even used my little tri-hulls since I got this big boat. I really need to get rid of them. My 18' tri-hull has a 305 powered electric shift stringer. It can also turn on a dime. My 17' tri-hull has an old 100 HP electric shift evinrude. It burns about as much gas as my cabin cruiser.
I'm going to be parting out the 18' tri-hull, but I don't know if I'll be able to get much from parting out an old 100 HP Evinrude.... Probably best to sell it out right.
