One or Two Engines ?

Scotty · 18 October 2004, 20:14

My choice of new boat appears to be

A: AZodiac pro open 650 with a 200hp on the back or

B: A Zodiac Pro Open 650 with twin 70 hp's on the back.

All advice will be accepted please help me with your knowledge. Both boats are the same age but the twin 70's have only 30 hours on them. I think the 650 is rated to a 175 hp so is the extra 25 hp really a problem ?

Manos · 18 October 2004, 20:16

1st question WHY A ZODIAC??

Scotty · 18 October 2004, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manos

1st question WHY A ZODIAC??

The day you buy is the day you sell !! I just sold my last zodiac after two years use and got what I paid for it. Well known brand, easy to remove tubes,they perform well in a big sea (Irish). Why not ???

Any way this thread is about engines please.

Manos · 18 October 2004, 20:35

OK Scotty well it all depends what you want to do with the boat.

1. Single engine less weight
2. Twin set more weight but 2x70 bhp will be similar weight to the 200 I recon

3. Speed most probably you will go faster with the 200

4. Pooling power, the twins will give you more torque if you tow say a skier or if you have a lot of staff to carry. However re-propping the 200 you will have the same effect

5. Consumption and servicing expenses better with the single than the twin

6. The 70 bhp (the Ymas at least) they do not come as lest and right rotation. So you may have a problem there.

6. As it sounds the ideal would have been either 2x90 bhp or 2x115 bhp

.... but for a ZODIAC??

Scotty · 18 October 2004, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manos

.... but for a ZODIAC??

OK Manos I give in.......... Whats wrong with Zodiac ??

Louise · 18 October 2004, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotty

I think the 650 is rated to a 175 hp so is the extra 25 hp really a problem ?

I would be careful about going over the rating as you may invalidate your insurance if you had an accident and had too many horses! If I were you I would check with my insurance company before buying. HTH.

Manos · 18 October 2004, 20:44

Nothing is worng with the boat. But .......... is not popular if you see what I mean. I had a Cadet when I was 12 with a 9.9 Johnson. Kept it for over 10 years and I still got the boat and engine. It has been great and lasted very well tubes like new considering that it was left under the sun unwashed for 3 months every summer for the 10 years.
But for the money you will spend on this 6+ mtr Zodiac I thinK that you can get a much better boat. Also these PVC tubes don't trust them. Mine lasted just for 2 seasons and will need to change them in a year or so. For the hired boats will have to change them next year.

Pete7 · 18 October 2004, 22:44

Scotty, I think there must be 20 mph difference in top speed between the two engine options, so I know which one I would choose.

Pete

swginn · 18 October 2004, 23:26

Scotty, the twin engined rig will be like having 105hp vs 200hp. If you go for twins I've been told that you will lose half the power of one engine because of the additional drag. 70*1.5 = 105hp.

Also as you are in Ireland it may be worth giving Marine Motors Cork a call to see what they have in stock. They are Zodiac dealers (and Redbay!!) and seem to always have an Ocean Pro or two on their cards.

http://www.marinemotorscork.com/usedboats.htm

They've got a Zodiac SRMN in stock as well which is a very capable boat.

Brambles · 19 October 2004, 08:21

Scotty,

The power loss with a two engined set up is certainly an issue.

But there is another consideraion: Why do you want two engines? If the answer is for safety reasons, then IMHO you also need to have separate fuel supplies to each engine. If you don't and your fuel gets contaminated it will take out both engines. I suppose the same applies to electrical systems? Where do you stop?

I would go for the single engine option & get a small aux engine & fuel can to get you home.

Regards.

ADS · 19 October 2004, 09:18

Get the 200 and buy a 6-8HP aux engine with it's own fuel supply.
With the twin engines you will use alot more fuel, have lower top speed, twice servicing costs etc.

If you are set on the twin engined set up make sure that the boat will plane with only one engine when fully loaded -if it doesnt twin engines are almost pointless because you can travel at displacement speeds with a decent sized aux.

Nice decision to make though!

pettal · 19 October 2004, 10:28

This all depends on how you are going to use the rib.

If your a weekender and knocking around in local waters then I'd suggest a big single and a small auxillary.

If your a cruiser and want to explore other parts of the country or stray away from home for long(ish) durations then the safety of having twins comes into it's own. But I agree that twin fuel tanks are a good option if you decide to go for twins.

It's really down to two things.....money and speed!

I had the same problem when I ordered my new XS-Rib. I would have loved to put twin 115's on the back but my bank balance didn't allow for the extra £4k. So for the moment I've opted for a 200 on the back with an 8hp aux.

Hope that helps!?

Scotty · 19 October 2004, 12:26

All the comments are really appreciated. The only reason I'm looking at the two engine option is that its for sale. Both ribs are for sale one with 200 hp and one with twins. I suspect if I go for the Zodiac it will be a single engine option. Keep the comments coming. And remember Im in the market for a 6 to 6.5m rib any sellers out there ??????????

Pete7 · 19 October 2004, 12:47

PM sent,

Pete

gtflash · 19 October 2004, 13:23

was an article in boat mart this month, they tested the same boat twice in one year, once with twin suzi 140s on back and once with one suzi 250 on back... top speed on 250 was only about three mph less.. if ur after security or manoverabilty get the twins, but i rekon (imho)they will be alot slower.. plus 2x drag in water 2x maintenance 2x oil 2x chance of failure and on and on..