Why twins?

[kenny chaos]

Can I get some pros and cons of using twins versus one larger motor and a kicker?

Thanks-
Kenny

[Chester]

Twins look cooler. Seriously.

Both systems work, there are no wrong answers here.

[starcrafttom]

a quick search will provide you with thousands of post to read on this subject but it comes down to taste and use. If you are going use the boat to fish a lot then the kicker is the way to go. A kicker will give you a range of speeds while trolling as were running one of a set or twins at idle will only give you one troll speed, maybe two.

If you are not going to fish at all then the up sides of twins is having one engine that will get you back to the dock if some thing goes wrong with the other at more then hull speed. The down side of this is most motor failures on the water are fuel or props. If you run out of fuel or get bad fuel It effect both engines. some for a kicker depending how you have your kicker rigged. many fisherman run smaller 5 gallon fuel tanks just for the kicker to avoid this. When you lose a prop its mostly because you ran something over and you will lose both props so twins dont help you their.

Many opinions out their but for me its a kicker and a main. I fish so I like a kicker. If I lose a prop I can drop the kicker down, because it was out of the way in the up position, and keep running home at troll speed with the downriggers deployed.

[breausaw]

Yes agreed,

This is by far one of the most hammers out issues of all times, do a little searching on the forum and you will find more information than humanly possible to digest. Than after you’ve read as much as your brain can handle you’ll most likely still be on the fence with respect to twins vs. a single main, I am.
It seems each has its virtues, and neither is a perfect do-anything-setup. In the end it boils down to what is right for you.

[lloyds]

Having purchased an older 22 with twin hondas last winter I have now had my first experience with twin engines. I have had a dozen boats over the last 50 years, all single engines or sail. I found that in rough water I seem to have better control with the twins when taking rough seas on the beam. Might just be my imagination but it sure seems like it. Other than that, a single would certainly simplify things a bit.

[thataway]

Well summarized above. My personal choice has always been singles, up to a certain size, and then you need the second engine for the HP. The arguement is that maintance on twins is more than on a single and kicker. I have also felt that the single and kicker is a bit safer, since the kicker can be hand started--will run without power, and can have a separate 5 gallon gas can. Thus it is a totally independant system for get home.

With the larger cats--you need the twins. I have an 18 foot cat--and 18 to 20 feet is about the max size for singles (although there are some deck type cats which will go up to about 26 feet and a 250 to 300 hp engine).

[kenny chaos]

Actually, long tiresome searches reveal few pertaining threads.

Thanks for the replys-
Kenny

[goldpan]

my yamaha 50's give me a variety of trolling speeds, can be rope started give more maneuverability and look sexier. do not know about other motors but doubt carbs would give speed choices

[matt_unique]

This will get you started:

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=14396&highlight=twins

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=14140&highlight=twins

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=13635&highlight=twins

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=11655&highlight=twins


I prefer twins. The difference in service between a kicker and main are not that significant in my opinion. Even twins running off the same fuel source mean double the fuel and water filters, 2 props with at least some separation, etc. Even engines close together with the same prop rotation offer handling advantages over a single.

--Matt

[BRAZO]

[T.R. Bauer]

While I know it has been hashed out again and again, it's really simple; twins are a luxury that guys with singles wish they had. While it is not quite the same thing, it is kind of like having a mustang with a V6 and a mustang GT with 450 hp. Sure they both will get the job done, but the mustang GT is way cooler, sexier, and twice as fast. Sure twins are not twice as fast as a single when everything is working, but when one of my 50s dies, I can still go about 15-20 mph or so if the load is light with one engine. Where I go and where I live, that is huge when compared to a 6 hp kicker.

[hardee]

Singles are good on lakes -- No matter which way teh wind blows, you will get to shore. On BIG lakes, and the ocean, if the wind or tides are going out, you better have a big lunch with you if you are thinking you want to still be alive when you get to the next shore line. (Example: any ocean water on the west coast, the next shore west might be Japan more than a days drift.

Twins do not have to share the same fuel tanks, (shouldn't actually) and that may or not help in fuel issues, since they are usually filled at the same time, and same place.
Twins offer a very high degree of maneuverability over a single and kicker.
Twins offer double redundancy.
Twins keep the mechanics more happy, (yes a slightly higher than a single and kicker maintenance fee.)

The posts so far are very informational, most repetitive of what has been covered here many times over, and reading all of them, will get you information but not make the decision for you. It boils down to waht you want. The good thing; Either will get the job done.

After you get this decision made, try deciding whether you want your boat plug to be an "inny" or an "outty" and look up those discussions. That will keep you going for another 249 hours and 20 minutes sort'a.

Harvey
SleepyC

[Matt Gurnsey]

As stated, there is no wrong answer here.

Our feeling is that the single is the more economical set up, for fuel use and maintenance costs. Plus the reliability of today's engines is so good that if you do your maintennace as scheduled, you will rarely have a breakdown.

But- owners are passionate about whichever set up they prefer, and we will gladly rig any C-Dory we sell however the owner wants.

[cemiii]

Kenny, I see you are new here. Searching in the c-brats.com domain using Google search (advanced search feature) should yield more focused results.

[Chuckpacific]

I likes twins.....