Single vs twin engine boat
Discussion
Hello. We have a single engine 28ft boat and we are considering upgrading to 36ft and there are two engine options - a single D6 or twin D3.
Gut feel is the single with a bow thruster as it should be smoother with just one lump to maintain, however twin engines have the benefit of a backup motor if one packs up - unlikely I know but it’s something we do think about.
Thanks
Gut feel is the single with a bow thruster as it should be smoother with just one lump to maintain, however twin engines have the benefit of a backup motor if one packs up - unlikely I know but it’s something we do think about.
Thanks
We had a sealine 42 with twins and I would prefer that over a single, we never used our bow thruster, everything was done with the twins! Much easier to manoeuvre
When you get your inspection done get them to check the tanks and lines properly, we ended up with a 10k bill on our fuel tanks from burton waters
When you get your inspection done get them to check the tanks and lines properly, we ended up with a 10k bill on our fuel tanks from burton waters
Badda said:
Number reason for engine failure is fuel contamination....with two engines this remains a problem unless you have two fuel tanks and filters etc. A lot of the proper offshore boats are specced like that but don’t assume 2 engines is much safer.
Indeed, if I had a twin engine setup I would be looking to have twin tanks, and likely a pair of twin filters and cocks to allow either engine+filters to run of either tank.
Over 12 years I ran various tourist boats in the Whitsunday Islands.
These included a 40 Ft, a 50 Ft a 55Ft outer Great Barrier reef charter fishing boats accommodating 8, 10 & 12 guests for extended charters, all Gardiner powered single screw boats. I also ran a 50 Ft twin screw charter boatwith twin Cats. I always felt safer with the twin screw boat when 40 miles out to sea anchored over night behind a submerged reef.
I also ran a number of resort & tourist day trip twin screw boats including a 60Ft, twin 4, 72 GMs, a couple of international catamerans, a 26 Meter 224 passengerr with twin 1000HP 12, 92 TA GMs, & a 30 Meter 325 passenger with twin 1200 HP 16,92 TA GMs both cruised at 28 knots.
However the nicest boat I ever ran was a converted 112Ft ex WW2 Fairmile with a couple of 8, 92 TA GMs with about 500 HP each. You could do anything with that boat, without going above idle, it was a dream to handle, althgough it could roll a bit.
I have since run a number of similar size boats with nozzels. While they do offer great control, they are not as satisifying to drive. Twin screw every time for me.
These included a 40 Ft, a 50 Ft a 55Ft outer Great Barrier reef charter fishing boats accommodating 8, 10 & 12 guests for extended charters, all Gardiner powered single screw boats. I also ran a 50 Ft twin screw charter boatwith twin Cats. I always felt safer with the twin screw boat when 40 miles out to sea anchored over night behind a submerged reef.
I also ran a number of resort & tourist day trip twin screw boats including a 60Ft, twin 4, 72 GMs, a couple of international catamerans, a 26 Meter 224 passengerr with twin 1000HP 12, 92 TA GMs, & a 30 Meter 325 passenger with twin 1200 HP 16,92 TA GMs both cruised at 28 knots.
However the nicest boat I ever ran was a converted 112Ft ex WW2 Fairmile with a couple of 8, 92 TA GMs with about 500 HP each. You could do anything with that boat, without going above idle, it was a dream to handle, althgough it could roll a bit.
I have since run a number of similar size boats with nozzels. While they do offer great control, they are not as satisifying to drive. Twin screw every time for me.
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