1v2
We are new to this type of boating. Stepping up from a 19.5' open bow to hopefully a 36'-44' trawler. I would prefer a single engine but there are several nice vessels for sale with twins.
What would the operating cost difference be between the single verses twins.
Standard Preventative Maintenance Costs?
Fuel Consumption?
What motors to stay away from?
Deb and I have been happily married for 28 years. I don't think the docking learning curve with either (single or twin) is going to have a negative effect on our marital bliss.
Are there any other +/- of single engines verses twins?
Thanks for your input and this forum is great!
Peter and Deb
All great questions. One of my major criteria when buying my boat was 1 engine.
Backing a single screw boat takes practice but you can learn it easily.
One engine has 1 motor, 1 transmission, 1 shaft, 1stuffing box, 1 cutless bearing and the screw is protected by the the housing that holds the shaft and screw.
Two engines don’t have that.
I have my motor, transmission, shaft,cutless bearing and gen professionally maintained. A professional will find issues you will never see if you do it yourself. Just a standard annual maintenance with no issues will be $1000. Double that for 2 engines. When it’s time for serious maintenance, replacement or repair you are looking at thousands for two engines.
With one engine you can literally move around the motor and transmission with ease. With 2 motors you can barely get into the engine room.
The myth that two engines are more reliable than one is tempting but doesn’t hold water. A well maintained Diesel engine will probably only fail for 1 reason; fuel. If you have bad fuel you can have 2 engines or 10.
They will all fail. I have one engine with 7700 hours and it purrs like a kitten. This is my advice. I’m a one engine guy. Listen to all advice and make your decision.
Stay away from Volvos. Expensive to maintain and very difficult to get parts. I have 50 years boating experience, for what it’s worth.
A Ford Lehman 120 burns 2 gals/hr at 8 kts in calm seas.