single or twin engine.

[cyclops2]

Re: single or twin engine.

Good points.

Especially the fact that NO ONE is required to pass a boat handing test in current & wind in narrow docking areas.

Worse conditions than any truck drivers test.

Most of us ARE NOT excellent like you are.

Twins are far safer for docking in slips with 1' on each side.........Mine.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: single or twin engine.

Dingbat

I thought most Cheeies are all KEELED & or have full skegs ? Either or both on a boat makes backing much easier. Moderm planning hulls have neither on the bottom to help in docking. Mine does not. Acts like a leaf on water.

 

[aerobat]

Re: single or twin engine.

That said, I have twin I/O and would not dream of going single for my 26' cruiser due to the redundancy factor.
When i go out with my family i need ease of mind knowing we will all be safe. Nothing can be too pricey for that.

depending on where you go with your family and how old your children are there is far more than having two engines to be safe. pfd,s , red flares a good radio equipment and when going open sea even a life raft may be a good idea. and of course the ability to check weather reports.

in other words : just two engines do not quarantee anything , but i agree that when the costs are not a big issue its a better solution , otherwise a single installation and a sufficient kicker to get you home will give you a similar level of safety.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: single or twin engine.

Keep in mind that the OP needed to ask whether single or twins would be better, indicating he does not have your experience level. Besides, he will be offshore. The scale is cleay tipped to twins for him.

 

[jbrphil]

Re: single or twin engine.

looks like Twins will be good idea. Thanks for input!

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: single or twin engine.

Great information! There are two Trinton - one 2001 26 ft with twin 225hp Merc and other one is 2003 24 ft with single Yamaha 225HP.

Plan to use it for deep sea fishing and stay at ocean all day to get lot of fishes.

John

I would probably be leaning towards the twins in your situation. But one good motor is better than two bad ones. As mentioned before, the majority of engine failures come from fuel related issues. You want seperate tanks and systems for each motor or you will never truly have a back up motor. Not only that, you should be filling those seperate tanks at different fuel stations as to not have the same fuel in each tank.

For offshore, the 26 ft boat is going to give you more boat to play with than the 24 footer. Condition is everything!! If you are going to be venturing offshore, with little previous experience, take someone experienced with you or a buddy boat is always a good idea. Make sure you have back-up batteries, bilge pumps properly set up, safety gear, epirb, all safety gear and a float plan. Everything on the boat should be gone through stern to bow to make sure everything is wired correctly and you have sound systems in general.

Before you purchase any motor that old,definately have a qualified marine mechanic that is qualified on that particular outboard check them out. How many hours are on them?
Good luck.

 

[oops!]

Re: single or twin engine.

What does it matter if it's a planing or a semi-displacement hull if the speeds are the same and the fuel efficiency is the same or better? The semi-displacement hull is going to give you the better overall ride.

not wanting to hijack......but when did speed and fuel efficiency come into the equation?.

i was asked about single screw over 50 feet......and i mentioned any thing over 50 feet is mostly displacement with an inboard rudder set up.

Locally we?re famous for the Chesapeake deadrise. The deadrise is a semi-displacement hull famous for its rough water handling and its minimal HP requirements. This heritage manifests itself in a new breed of boats being built locally. The Judge 27' Chesapeake will run 35 mph with a single 225 HP outboard on the back.

27 is the boundary of single/twin applications.....that is why i said...........

those will mostly be displacement hulls.....not plaining......they will also be mostly inboard rudder, some with bow thrusters.
unless its a ciggarette with a big honkin single......

in the cruiser series of boats.....anything over 27 should be twins.... you need the ponies to move the weight as over 27 and you are looking at 8000 lbs (very generaly speaking). parking them is a real pain in high wind with a single screw.

The Judge 36' Chesapeake which weighs #12,500 will run 32 mph with a single 428 HP Cummins diesel. How many #12,500 cruisers will run 32 mph while burning just 17 GPH?

i have not seen the boat.....but more than likely, this is an inboard situation and not an i/o like the op was asking however.....the following still applies ......

those will mostly be displacement hulls.....not plaining......they will also be mostly inboard rudder, some with bow thrusters.
unless its a ciggarette with a big honkin single......

in the cruiser series of boats.....anything over 27 should be twins.... you need the ponies to move the weight as over 27 and you are looking at 8000 lbs (very generaly speaking). parking them is a real pain in high wind with a single screw.

if you have ever parked a big boat with a single screw in wind....you will know what a pain is. even in light wind....any cruiser over 30' is a sail....with a single....it is very difficult if you start talking about 50 feet....with a single and a rudder........anytime you can park it properly. there is always a comment from someone at the dock. in fact....it usually means throwing lines and being pulled to the dock in some manner or other....

on the other hand....if you mess up the parking job in a big rig.....there is always a comment from someone at the dock. but in this instance....its not a comment you want to remember !!!!

cheers
oops

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: single or twin engine.

My previous boat was a Checkmate with twin OB's. Handled like a dream and was a pleasure to get in the slip. Currently we have a 24' pocket cruiser with a single Bravo III. Like opps said it is a royal pain to get it backed into the slip with any kind of wind. We have now just purchased a 27' cruiser with twin 4.3's. Back to the easy life when it comes to maneuverability.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: single or twin engine.

Single motor can work just as well as two motors for docking if you have a steering rudder and two flanking rudders. it also will help you turn within your own length. My dads houseboat is set-up this way, the boat can literally turn with-in its own length and he has no issues docking the 60 ton beast. Though the bow thruster is a big help.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: single or twin engine.

Sorry, never seen a boat with a steering rudder and 2 flanking rudders in the class the OP wants. I agree the bow thruster helps docking the houseboat.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: single or twin engine.

Captain

You just saved my Chaparral 186 SSI from a "for sale" sign.
I will have a bow & stern thruster installed. It IS A SAIL BOAT. About 4' high from the side.
Fantastic boat, until the dock, wind & current take hold.
I have actually drove away like pilots missing a carrier landing. Calmed down. Have done that 3 times in sudden bad weather.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: single or twin engine.

Captain

You just saved my Chaparral 186 SSI from a "for sale" sign.
I will have a bow & stern thruster installed. It IS A SAIL BOAT. About 4' high from the side.
Fantastic boat, until the dock, wind & current take hold.
I have actually drove away like pilots missing a carrier landing. Calmed down. Have done that 3 times in sudden bad weather.

That's why we bought the 27' with twins. I don't know how many times I got blown past our slip in our 24. Very frustrating to say the least.