C-Dory 22 Twin Engine Question

G

GoNavy83

New member
Hello all,

My first post. I am selling my single engine 34' trawler, with bow and stern thrusters, and am considering a C-Dory 22 Classic Cruiser.

I should know the answer to my questions, but I don't: If I get twin outboards instead of a larger single, are they controlled independently so you can make the boat twist?

Second question: Are they fixed straight ahead? I don't think so because I don't see any mention of a rudder. If not, can they be set to a fixed position so the boat can twist?

Third question: I don't see a bow thruster as an option. How difficult is the boat to dock with twin engines. My boat club has very swift running tides on the Delaware River.


Regards,
Sam
 
Hi Sam,

Welcome aboard. I'm sure you'll get other answers to your questions - here's mine...

Yes, you can rotate with the twin engines, but they are closely spaced, so it won't be as pronounced movement as many twin engine boats. The outboards turn (together), so you can center the steering wheel and use opposite thrust (separate throttles) as needed. Those with twins (our boat has a single) tout this as an advantage to twins. No rudders on these boats, other than the outboard lower unit... nice when you want to beach or explore shallow water.

I'm not aware of anyone who has put thrusters on their C-Dory. Not a lot of boat under the water, so they are affected by crosswind as you come in to the dock. A little practice, and you'll have it down... not as much inertia as your 34' trawler.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
I'm a relative novice compared to Captain Jim, but I have a 22 with twin Suzi motors and even as a novice with this class of boat, I find it very easy to manage the two throttles and gear shifts to allow me to turn the boat in it's own length. It is quite a fun exercise actually and I've often used it in going down narrow alleys and into narrow slips and in wind.

Now, watch, this thread will quickly slip over and into and interminable discussion of singles versus twins. :wink:
 
our boat came equipped with twins. as most if not all outboards go, the engines are not "fixed" which makes outboard powered boats very maneuverable since you can direct the thrust from the props rather than relying on momentum and water passing the rudder. if you simply center your wheel/outboards, you can alternate forward/reverse to cause the boat to spin on its own axis. if you get a knob on your steering wheel like those of a forklift, it makes quick maneuvering into a slip much simpler. where i moor, its pretty tight quarters and can get very windy and there is a current. since c-dory's are light and have next to no draft, they feel quite susceptible to those forces. when needing to get into my slip when the wind or current were bad, it was much easier to rely on the throttle and steering vs. alternating engine throttles.

i haven't seen one with a bow thruster and think at 22' you could do just fine without one, whether it be a single or twin engine powered craft.
 
With twins, the engines are connected together, and turn together with the steering. As noted, there are two controls, which can be operated independently--single lever, which gives natural, forward and reverse for each engine. A single outboard is almost as maneuverable as twin engines--as Jim notes the engines are both set near the center, not as widely spaced as a twin engine trawler would be.

There is not enough hull in the water to use a standard bow thruster. There are some units which fit in a pod under the boat, and others which swing down over the side--but neither would really be practical on a C Dory.

Thrusters are only an aid. in reverse the outboard pulls the boat in the direction the motor is pointed. --as Jim says, there is a lot more control with an outboard, since in forward you are directing a prop stream--not a prop stream straight ahead against a rudder to move the boat"s stern sidewise. Things happen much faster with the light outboard boat.

Although I had owned outboard boats almost all of my life--my principle experience is in single engine sailboats, and a C Dory is far easier to handle than any single screw boat. Although a thruster will push the boat sideways in slack water, and turn a boat in current--it is a rare thruster, if any, which would push a boat against 2 knots of current.
 
Hi Sam,

Welcome to the Brats. This is a great site and we enjoy meeting here. In the second line down from the C-Dory logo, (upper left corner) there is a Search button. Put "Single AND twins" in to that and you will get tons of info, opinion and fact there. It is one of our favorite debate topics :lol: :lol: (even though they all know the guys with twins are right :shock: :twisted: :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: (It's OK they know me, know my tongue is firmly planted in cheek, and I'm watching the only rule here ---->Just be nice.

As mentioned, the twins on the 22 are close together, but in 6 years of using the "hands off the wheel and on the gear/throttle" system from the time I enter the marina or approach a dock I have only been skunked one time, both wind (10+ knots)( and current in the same direction, and too much to get the boat past the wind on the beam. It might have done it but I hesitate to put more than about 1/4 throttle into that twist. Don't want to damage the transom. (I have not talked to anyone about how much twist you can actually do, but usually it handles easily at idle to about 1100rpm.

Technically, the boat should twist (and you can do it around it's own axis), but in reality, it is more of a twist centering around the point between the engines. However, with some practice, it is easily possible to move in any desired direction during the twist. It is always easier to accomplish this if the OB's are centered straight ahead.

If you do that search, and read through half of what you get, you sill find a ton of reasons to have twins, and some reasons not to....AND you will find there are tons of reasons for singles and a kicker.
There are even those who do a single only. To Each His Own, the important part is to be in the boat and on the water and enjoy.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_055.highlight.jpg
 
Welcome aboard. There are tons of threads here about all combinations of power
I run a single only and after a bit of practice can put it where I want. Lots of good handling tips on this site also. These boats are well behaved in marinas, just keep an eye on rate of drift and speed. Sometimes approaching too slowly is worse than a bit quick. They stop fast as they're light so won't carry weigh like you're used too.
Have fun in your search
George
 
Hi Sam,

Welcome to the crazy world of the C-Brats. I agree with everything my learned friends have stated above. I am a novice as far as power boats go, this is my first one having been sail all my life. It's all about practise, then you will be able to do anything you want with your boat.
I have a tricky bit of water to navigate when returning to my berth in the marina. A 90 degree turn to port followed by a very quick 90 degree turn to starboard in a very tight space. First few attempts were real 'bum-squeaker' moments. But then it all comes together. The answer is.............keep your hands off the wheel. Work the P & S throttles, forward and reverse. Piece of cake. 8)

Martin.
 
Sam,

Just for fun google "Optimus 360" which is a system that provides joystick docking control by Sea Star of your twin outboard powered boat. A bit pricey but the videos look quite impressive. I don't know if it works on the smaller outboards, but my friend just purchased a system for his Gradywhite with twin 250s.

Dick
 
"Optimus 360 package, which adds the electronic throttle and shift and the joystick control, lists at $17,995." (two engine system)
 
thataway":20k8kghw said:
"Optimus 360 package, which adds the electronic throttle and shift and the joystick control, lists at $17,995." (two engine system)
Click to expand...


WOW. Im presuming that this does not include the 2 engines.
 
Seems to take the fun out of it. Spent last weekend with my older boy teaching him how to control the boat in wind and current with a single. 'Back and fill' is way more fun than automated. Course... being able to move sideways. That's a paradigm shift.
 
We are a dealer for Sea Star Solutions Optimus 360 ! Its an awesome system . Its especially good if you have electric shift engines already. Min 15k buy in at this point .
But the real reason I responded to the post is contrary to popular belief ,YOU CAN put a thruster on a 22 C Dory . We just had a visit from Florida Bow Thrusters mobile install van a month or so ago and lo and behold I witnessed a fairly amazing ,efficient installation. A Vetus thruster in a 4" tube . Its well under waterline and Ill post the price when I find out what it was . Cause I know you're gonna ask .............
Ill put some pics in our gallery too .
Marc
 
Just an observation from a friend of mine who was a U.S. Coast Guard 47 foot Surf Boat Coxwain (Skipper):

The new 47's are all fly-by-wire or electronically controlled.

He preferred the "feel" of the older manual controls, such as those on the 44's.

Once you get used to the feel of the manual (hydraulic steering plus push/pull throttles and shifts, the "no feedback" nature of electronic connections leaves you wanting, at least that was his opinion.

May just take some getting used to the new systems, too.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
For your gee whiz, though rather off topic: New Moon's Volvo 44 diesel sterndrive setup includes electronic engine controls and shifting. There's a brief delay in shifting, maybe 1/2 second, which takes some getting used to, but I don't really notice it any more. Electronic engine control is cool - it adjusts fuel supply and other parameters, taking into account operating temperature, air pressure etc to run efficiently, and to hold RPM very precisely, as commanded by the throttle lever position.
 
One of the cruiseboats I drove had fly-by-wire throttles/shifters. It didn't take long to get used to the feel (or lack thereof). It eliminates tight bends in cables during installation. But, when there is a problem with the "black box", you can't just go back to the engine to shift or set a throttle - it would put itself into a "fail-safe" mode that put the engine into neutral, throttle to idle. You couldn't shift until the fault was cleared.

Slick when everything is working.
 
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