Single vs twin

[airplaneguy]

I have a 1980 22 ft C-Hawk CC with a 175 Johnson. We are moving to the coast and getting a place on one of the canals. YEA! I'm very concerned about taking the boat out due to some engine problems in the past. I want to get a a kicker for the boat first off. What would you recommend? Second, do you think it would be possible to reengine the boat and add another. Example, two 125s? I don't think the opening on the transome is large enough for two engines so I would have to get some type of plates to install them externally? Am I off in left field?

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Single vs twin

The question is not if you can do it, do you want to do it? The only difference between something that is impossible and something that isn't is alot of time and money! Your right about adding a motor. You would have to either reconfigure the transom and also make it support the extra weight. You could also close the transom and put the motor on an extension. But do you really want to sink that kind of money into a 1980 boat?

I don't like kickers offshore because they must be maintained and they rarely get used. Then when you need them, there might be issues with it not running right. Also it is very hard to make good headway when using a kicker. Most times you need a help motor is when it is nasty conditions. Plus they make your boat list.

If your going to be running offshore, I would say take the money that you would spend on reconfiguring/repowering, sell your boat, and buy a better boat for that area and offshore use. What kind of condition is your boat in now?

Your other option obviously is keep what you have and repower with a new motor that will be reliable offshore.

 

[airplaneguy]

Re: Single vs twin

Mainly used in fresh water lakes. Before I got it from my father in law he used it central and south La. The reason I want to keep using this boat because it is in great shape and made for off shore use. It has been pampered all of it's life. The engine is what has me gun shy. I just don't trust it.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Single vs twin

Mainly used in fresh water lakes. Before I got it from my father in law he used it central and south La. The reason I want to keep using this boat because it is in great shape and made for off shore use. It has been pampered all of it's life. The engine is what has me gun shy. I just don't trust it.

Going offshore requires alot more than just motor reliability. Not sure what your experience is, I grew up on the coast and went offshore all the time with a single engine mako. You need to have confidence in your motor for sure. I would think about repowering if the boat is something you will hang onto for years. You will also want a ditch bag, multiple different safety items specifically for offshore. Not a bad idea to also have chart plotter,radar,two vhf and an Epirp. Thats just for starters. You can buy complete safety kits for offshore to save money. Your basically buying it in bulk.

The reason I mentioned all that is it is going to cost you alot of coin just to get it ready without even considering a motor swap. Good luck and do some offshore fishing for me, I miss it!

Last but not least, post some pics of your boat,would love to see it If you know where exactly you are moving, I would talk to the guys on "The hull truth" about what they recommend for the area you will be boating in...

 

[airplaneguy]

Re: Single vs twin

I will look into the safety equipment for sure. Thanks. We are getting a place down on Padre Island Corpus Christi Tx. I've been off shore quite a few times. I have a friend who goes out also. He said we will head out together for safety reasons. I plan on getting all of the electronics. There is nothing more important than safety gear. Should've Could've just won't cut it when you go off shore.

 

[Hydra-sport_Road-kill]

Re: Single vs twin

It sounds like this particular 175 Johnson has lost your trust. You don't say it but maybe it acted up on you or ruined your day a time or two. It's hard to trust when we've gone through something like that. But if this is the case you can have this motor gone through by the right mechanic for less than the cost of a re-power. Some brandy-spanking new components and an overhaul of gaskets and seals hoses and tubes here and there maybe an impeller or carb after checking compression may restore your faith. Hope I'm not too off the mark but I my wife was ready to sell my F-350 diesel when the battery died on her one morning. :facepalm:So this is where my speculation comes from.

 

[airplaneguy]

Re: Single vs twin

to say the least it let me down. I have had the engine gone through and dumped a lot a cash. I have a tank I run the engine in and do so quite often. Runs fine there. Just lost confidence. Maybe after running around a bit with it would be fine but I hate being stuck and having to beg for help. It's just the way I am.

 

[nwcove]

Re: Single vs twin

even a new one can and will let you down! ( not so many years ago, i bought a brand new motor on saturday, spent hours mounting it , as the kids watched impatiently, sunday morning....time for the maiden voyage.......15 minutes into it......towed back to shore, the electronic ignition failed!)

 

[Hydra-sport_Road-kill]

Re: Single vs twin

It sounds like the difference between idling in the tank (or on the hose) and out and about is being under load. If you have a good mech and he trusts that you are sane in your assessment that there is something wrong with it he should be dead set on finding it. You need to find a mech that takes to the task like a flight engineer. This is the guy that gets on the plane to fly at 40K feet after he works on it. It's life on the line dedication not the fingers crossed hope that it's fixed.