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Old 03-20-2017, 04:35 PM   #1
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Twins? Should I be intimidated by twin engines?

As I shop for a boat, some of the Grand Banks models have single, and some have dual engines.
I've never owned or operated a twin engine boat - my initial impression it is just twice the maintenance, upkeep and cost. But, mebbe redundancy is good.
What are the pros and cons of twin engines? Would you recommend twins, and why?
Thanks.
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Old 03-20-2017, 04:42 PM   #2
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They make operating insanely easy over a single with no thruster.

They give you more options for relatively modest increases in operating costs.

They have given you cause to start up one of the great debates of boating....that has lots of opinions and a whole lot less absolutes.
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Old 03-20-2017, 04:53 PM   #3
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Twice the weight twice the fuel twice the service cost twice the repairs twice the noise twice the shaft seals twice the gearboxes twice the props twice the rudders 1/2 the area to work on and they get you to the same destination as a single at 8 knots
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Old 03-20-2017, 04:56 PM   #4
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I would mildly disagree with some and strongly disagree with other statements made above...not everything is double, or even close to double.

Some things change depending on your work and wishes.

I am sure you will get a lot of input on both sides of this fence, but most will agree not everything is double.
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Old 03-20-2017, 04:56 PM   #5
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Old 03-20-2017, 04:57 PM   #6
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Bring the matches, I will bring the gas....
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Old 03-20-2017, 05:21 PM   #7
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Your topic is right in there with national politics, guns, and brands of scotch whiskey in terms of highly- pitched opinions. I'm with psneeld....I like having two engines downstairs. I just like that warm fuzzy feeling that I've got an ace in the hole if I need it, and I'm willing to pay the price tag for it. For me, it's really that simple, although the handling in close quarters with twins is also nice. There are lots of happy single-engine owners at this site who I'm sure will give you their $.02.
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Old 03-20-2017, 05:27 PM   #8
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To add to the discussion we should think about triple Volvos so when 2 go down you at least have one left .
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Old 03-20-2017, 05:29 PM   #9
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ok, Ill play. If your boating is open ocean, ie PNW, going up to Alaska.... then twins for safety are a good call and worth the extra expense. But if you boat on inland waterways, do the loop, stay within towing insurance range, then one engine is all you need. Granted two engines do make for easier handling, but a bow thruster is a whole lot cheaper to maintain than a second engine. Fire away all :-)
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Old 03-20-2017, 05:31 PM   #10
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I suggest you do a search using the search function, because as others have alluded to it, there has already been MUCH discussion on here re this very subject.
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Old 03-20-2017, 05:50 PM   #11
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Here's my take on it. I have a planing hull with twin Cummins eng's. While I can go fast with it (saw 23 kts on GPS at WOT) I don't plan to use it like that very often. Most of my travel will be cruising at 7 or 8 knots and I won't need both engines to get to where I want to go so will be running on one engine to get there, the other to get back but have the option to use both when I want. Hopefully the new autopilot (still in the box soon to be installed) won't have any problem keeping the boat on course with the boat wanting to pull to one side. Maneuvering in tight quarters way easier with twins (unless you have a bow thruster).
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Old 03-20-2017, 06:15 PM   #12
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We aren't forced to own a boat. I do it for pleasure. I think it would be a blast to have four engines.
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Old 03-20-2017, 06:29 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FoxtrotCharlie View Post
ok, Ill play. If your boating is open ocean, ie PNW, going up to Alaska.... then twins for safety are a good call and worth the extra expense. But if you boat on inland waterways, do the loop, stay within towing insurance range, then one engine is all you need. Granted two engines do make for easier handling, but a bow thruster is a whole lot cheaper to maintain than a second engine. Fire away all :-)
I don't know why anyone would want to fire away at that, since it is pretty much true. But a lot of us buy used boats, for reasons of economics, and you pretty much take what comes with it, be it twins or a single. I doubt many sellers would be willing to remove one engine, just to close the deal, or to install a second engine.
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Old 03-20-2017, 06:41 PM   #14
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Ya the real question is which anchor should you use if you have twins vs single.
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Old 03-20-2017, 06:49 PM   #15
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Ya the real question is which anchor should you use if you have twins vs single.
That one is easy. If you have twins, you use a Danforth and a Fortress. If you have a single, you use a Danforth.

And no, as a moderator, I am not going to debate.
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Old 03-20-2017, 06:58 PM   #16
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Not mine, but.....

How about full displacement with keel, skeg and rudder with
pintle bearing on the skeg?
Add twin engines, run either or both together.
The prop is between the deadwood and the rudder.( I have seen
pictures with shafts "in the open")
Think the draft is too much for the loop.

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Old 03-20-2017, 07:06 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by gaston View Post
Twice the weight twice the fuel twice the service cost twice the repairs twice the noise twice the shaft seals twice the gearboxes twice the props twice the rudders 1/2 the area to work on and they get you to the same destination as a single at 8 knots
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Old 03-20-2017, 07:14 PM   #18
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Anything over about 23' long all the way to 1000' long SE boats need so much help docking. They scare me. [emoji41]. Sometimes seen with one or two sticks out the top.
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Old 03-20-2017, 07:16 PM   #19
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Twice the weight twice the fuel twice the service cost twice the repairs twice the noise twice the shaft seals twice the gearboxes twice the props twice the rudders 1/2 the area to work on and they get you to the same destination as a single at 8 knots
But you can go MORE than twice as fast as a single if ONE engine fails.

I only have one engine.
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Old 03-20-2017, 07:19 PM   #20
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14 posts to get to anchors...shame...Someone is asleep at the switch.

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