Twin vs Single the true answer

[Screaming04]

I've got the final answer to the eternal twin versus single debate.

I prefer both. :o)

30 kt cruise on the single !!

(sorry for the bad pic... I was looking forward and taking the pic astern at the same time )

[BogMonster]

Developing the theme ... you could fit three engines, with the centre one propped to use as a single and the outer two propped to use as twins

There was an Etec promo video doing something similar that I saw a while back, the Etec would plane happily on one engine at a fair old speed while whichever lardy four-stroke was being tested (forget which one) couldn't get on the plane and was chugging along at about 8 or 9 knots

[Screaming04]

This would be the video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hKoQCkRryc

I was inspired to try the single because of a picture I saw at Polaris years ago... At the time I had never considered that a twin engined boat would be able to operate on plane using one engine.

This is my boat's new "green mode".

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Screaming04

This would be the video...

Kinda hard to argue with that vid .. unless he got his key float stuck under the throttle off the Yam ofcourse

[Screaming04]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

Kinda hard to argue with that vid .. unless he got his key float stuck under the throttle off the Yam ofcourse

I just wish that they had mentioned the prop pitch on the yamaha.

[Roy Smith]

I bet in real life with an independant tester
the result would not be so one sided, its easy to rig this type of test,
same as cars put bad cheep tyres on a fast car then swap to say P Zeros
and look at the differance, having owned both Etec and Yamaha i know which i would want.

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by Roy Smith

I bet in real life with an independant tester
the result would not be so one sided, its easy to rig this type of test,
same as cars put bad cheep tyres on a fast car then swap to say P Zeros
and look at the differance, having owned both Etec and Yamaha i know which i would want.

true enough but in that case you would expect a similar set of videos from diehard 4 strokers with Yamahonzukis sinking Etecs...?

TBH I don't see the point of twins if the boat (whatever type) is unable to plane on one engine, as if you can only do 8 or 9 knots you're only a few knots better off than a single man puttering home on his aux ... unless you carry a spare set of fine pitch props and can change them over to get you moving, it's still going to be a long trawl home.

Straw poll, 'cos now I am curious, of all those on here with twin setups, who can plane on one engine and who can't?

[GordyP]

Mine can, will do 35kts on one at full tilt and will cruise comfortably at about 25kts. I agree that if you are better being able to do a useful speed on just the one.

[Screaming04]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

TBH I don't see the point of twins if the boat (whatever type) is unable to plane on one engine, as if you can only do 8 or 9 knots you're only a few knots better off than a single man puttering home on his aux

Although perhaps not common in the UK, over here, there are plenty of heavy outboard powered boats that need 500 hp or more. Since no 500 hp outboards are made, they require twins but would never be able to plane on a single.

I do agree though, on any "normal" boat, twins are pointless if you can't plane on one.

I too am curious as to those in smaller boats operating twin 40's or 60's. Can they plane on one?

[GordyP]

Used to drive a 5.4 SR with twin 40's, it would plane on one engine but only if very lightly loaded.