twin o/b conversion

rsw21282

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
122
ok so mutliple questions. i am looking at buying a 16' v hull alum. with a newer 9.9 merc., now as dumb or odd as this sounds if i wanted to buy an additional 9.9 to double up is that practical? if so does year and mfg have to be the same? do i have to buy some additional steering adjustments, if so how costly?(oh ya its a boat that has a steering package/throttle everything installed for the 9.9merc already). I havent seen a boat that had a steering/throttle/speedometer/tach installed on a 9.9merc before but im not that salty of a boater, only been a boat owner a moderately short time.

and guys please dont give me an argumentative or non-decisive answer, seems like every post has a "you didnt give enough info, or environment" this is in general doesnt need to be exact. Not to be an as$ but dont want a bunch of diff. answers leading knowhere, i know like choosing a car depends on a variety of things BUT in general is all i need. This boat will mostly be used for inshore saltwater bay fishing, lakes, and on the occasional calm day ocean fishing(dependent upon the weather) but dont wanna get stranded a mile out.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: twin o/b conversion

if the transom will hold the weight of 2 motors, and the boat is rated for 20 hp, i say go for it. as far as connections go you will need another control, or swap to a dual control, you will the a steering link between the motors.

i personally think trading 9.9 for a 20 would be more efficient.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: twin o/b conversion

just read your other post. you would want another 4 stroke, why would anyone run a 2 stroke, and 3 stroke side by side.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: twin o/b conversion

You wanted comments that are concrete, to the point, and that are not controversial, open to discussion so here goes.

1) Cost (dual controls, dual fuel, dual steering links dual instruments if used)
2) Both engines should be identical (same gear ratios and props of same pitch and from the same manufacturer and model series)
3) Twice the maintenance
4) Less performance than a single 20 (more weight and two lower units = more drag)
5) The only positives might be "coolness factor" and the option of running on one engine should one of them puke.
 

rsw21282

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
122
Re: twin o/b conversion

thanks guys, i was really just looking at doing that because im one of those ppl that needs a back up plan. Maybe because i have an old boat and it has quit on me before. but thats why i was lookin into doubling up.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: twin o/b conversion

get an electric trolling motor, bow mount it.
 
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