Twins versus Single O/B

[Sandbank]

OK... I know this one has probably been beaten to death, with maybe no clear winner but...comments would be gladly appreciated!
I am picking up a used 22 ft Hard Top (1.1 tonne without motor) and am debating whether to put twin Yamaha 60hp (4 stroke) or a single 115 Yami (4 stroke) (Hull rated to single 140HP max). The additional wt of 2 engines is 38Kg which I can live with and the cost difference is negligable. I only have 2.5 ft of available transom mounting space though, so would this be enough for the twins (what sort of seperation is required??).
The reason I am going Yamaha is have owned before and totally reliable and additionally have good dealer support for Yami (I am in middle east). One of the main reasons I am considering twins is that over here in the event of breakdown, it is every man for themselves (last time I contacted the Coast Guard with an ''issue'' the radio message back was "you speak arabaic''..me:...''no''...response:...''radio back when u do''!!..mmmm) I rest my case!

So...any thoughts on the seperation distance I need or other matters??

 

[Sandbank]

Re: Twins versus Single O/B

Give an Aussie a break...surely someone has an opinion!!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Twins versus Single O/B

The single engine will perform better, use less fuel and weigh less. It will also be twice as easy and cheep to maintain. If you want a backup motor, get a small 4 cycle OB to troll or get you home in an emergency.

 

[Maichip]

Re: Twins versus Single O/B

I would personally prefer twins over a single motor in your situation but there are other factors to consider. Initial budget and upkeep. Twins equal twice as much maintenance, twice as many potential problems, more fuel/oil costs, rigging etc. On the other hand, twins offer the peace of mind you may be looking for and that may be worth the additional cost. Your local mechanic would have to look at your boat to verify if twins could be mounted on your boat. 2.5 ft of transom space seems a little small to me but it all depends on how your boat is laid out.

With today's technology motors are pretty reliable. My advise is to look at the cost of the bigger motor with a small kicker motor vs. twin 60's. Granted a small kicker motor would not push your boat very fast but it would get you back to port. If you buy new you probably wouldn't even need a kicker motor but given your location consider it insurance. You could probably mount a kicker motor somewhere at the stern. Maybe on a kicker motor bracket.

*If you buy a single motor, buy the biggest you can put on your boat. You will never regret paying for the extra horsepower.*

 

[R Socey]

Re: Twins versus Single O/B

For me there is no contest: if you venture out in a large body of water, and it gets rough, and your single
wont start or whatever, it is nice ( peice of mind ) to have another moter that will get you up on plane,
and get you in - been there; done that twice. In fact a boat does not rate as truly offshore capable
unless you have that redundancy! I have seen many dead in the water with a single - never with a double!
If you decide on a single, do get a kicker. With one 150, working, the other dead, and up, my 24.8', does 29
MPH - made a beleiver out of me!

me!

 

[CoffeeHound]

Re: Twins versus Single O/B

For me there is no contest: if you venture out in a large body of water, and it gets rough, and your single
wont start or whatever, it is nice ( peice of mind ) to have another moter that will get you up on plane,
and get you in - been there; done that twice. In fact a boat does not rate as truly offshore capable
unless you have that redundancy! I have seen many dead in the water with a single - never with a double!
If you decide on a single, do get a kicker. With one 150, working, the other dead, and up, my 24.8', does 29
MPH - made a beleiver out of me!

me!

I Have "Hobbled" in on a single with only 2 cylinders working out of 3 .. The next weekend I was towed in with another motor installed ,,, that was the last straw ! The Glassie sets by the barn untouched yet . Still shook over the rough lake and no motor . Now have a "Tinnie" big enough to take the beating and still keep ticking .
Am installing 2 Evinrude Lark 50's on it before i even think of hitting the lake for a test run . If all goes well ,, i might make the
next run to the Gulf the following weekend !! Redundancy has its place for those that can not walk on water !!

 

[crb478]

Re: Twins versus Single O/B

I am going to go along with get the biggest motor or close to that you are rated for ie a 130 or 140, and put a kicker on a mount. For you situation I would look at a 20 hp kicker. It wont plain your boat, but it will make steady progress home even against a current.

 

[JB]

Re: Twins versus Single O/B

I vote for the twins for your situation. More cost to maintain, more fuel used, but more security where security is thin.

 

[Sandbank]

Re: Twins versus Single O/B

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Will talk to the dealer and see what clearance width I need for twins I think. If I have to go a single will be a pity that Yamaha dont seem to offer anything between 115 and 150HP as the 150 is over my max HP and I would ideally have liked a 130 or 140hp if I have to go single.