On a boat with twin engines?

Question

do you use both engines at once or do you only use one at a time?

I'm not driving a boat with twins or even thinking about it, my friend just said that he would like to have twins on his boat rather than a single because if one engine breaks down, you still have another to get you back

Answer 1

It all depends upon what you are doing,if you are manuevering then you would more than likely use both engines,if you wanted to save fuel underway you could only use one but it would make more sense to use both just pulled back some and many marine gears(transmissions) need the engine running for lubrication internally,since the wheel(prop) would still be turning if you were moving unless you had some sort of shaft brake.

Answer 2

Both
for cruising both are normally used, but in tight spots, docking for instance or to avoid a collision, one engine can be reversed and the other forward and a boat can turn impossibly sharp.
Having a spare engine to use of one breaks down while asea is a wonderful feeling.

Answer 3

Both at the same time as very few boats with come up on a plain on 1 Eng. I have a 48' sport fish twin diesels. It rotates in it's own space. you steer it with power or reverse 1 in tight quarters. An if 1 fails you have the other to come back with slow 10 knts.

Answer 4

if u have to ask this question u shouldn't b driving a boat in the first place. but i will tell u that u need both engines on at all times. when docking u use both engines to steer the boat, not the steering wheel, and when underway, u better use both engines if u wanna go faster than 5 mph.

Answer 5

You use both engines at the same time. if used separatly you will have a major problem with control, useing both you can pivot in in a small area. One can aslo turn the wheel the opposit direction you want to go, and with working the transmissions alternatly forward/reverse actually walk the boat side ways, I hope this helps you out some....happy boating...stay sober

Answer 6

well good question but with twin engines you can steer at slow speeds, dock a boat better and so on. but the answer your looking for is yes, both at once.

Answer 7

Both engines make for great manuvering and most cases one of the props turns reverse for stability. Running only one engine I think would put added stress to one side of the transom unless its on a steel engine mount. Are you trying to conserve fuel or something?

Answer 8

some thing is definitely draining that battery. I positioned a 2000 watt invertor on the abode financial corporation which grow to be a pair of D-9's and that beast could desire to ddrain them in some hours. attempt taking that invertor ofline and spot what occurs... You shoulc be seeing approximately 14 volts DC if the alternator is okay so which you have some thing happening on that Port area engine

Answer 9

sara,, just think for a moment here,,, why do u think there 2 motors? and yes use both at once also once you get to know your craft you can "walk" your craft "side ways" with no forward/reverse movement,,, handy skill in tight places all this takes lots of time@practice there some out there who after a lot of time still cant master this art

Answer 10

Above are correct. Use both, no need paying for 2 engines and using only one. They do need to be mounted correctly. If, they too close, one engine can actually suck the cooling water and cause the other to overheat.