Running a Twin Outboard on One Motor

[Begester]

I'm looking at a boat with twin outboard engines. One side has about 70 hours, the other has 20. The seller chocked it up to operator error but I'm curious if running on only one side for that long has any adverse effects.

I'll be getting a full survey next week, but curious if anyone has encountered this before. I've never had twin engines (or Outboards) before... curious if people actually do this and if there's any wisdom to be shared.

 

[dwco5051]

I'm looking at a boat with twin outboard engines. One side has about 70 hours, the other has 20. The seller chocked it up to operator error but I'm curious if running on only one side for that long has any adverse effects.

I'll be getting a full survey next week, but curious if anyone has encountered this before. I've never had twin engines (or Outboards) before... curious if people actually do this and if there's any wisdom to be shared.

Just a wild guess but I could see running just one motor when trolling with a fishing boat may save a little fuel.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Lots of offshore boats troll with only 1 engine. The ones I know alternate every trip to keep the meters close.
If the rig you’re looking at isn’t a dedicated fishing boat then I’d suspect something- but wouldn’t stress much about it.

 

[JimS123]

In my youth I was acquainted with a local auxiliary marine cop. He was an old fort and used to tie up at our dock once in awhile and chew the fat with my Grandpa. He always had a big Thompson with Twin 'Rudes that were always the biggest available at the time. Power trim was not common back then, so it was quite a marvel to see him in the day. Our dock was about 6 miles up the Erie Canal off the mighty Niagara River. His boats were personally owned.

His method was to run on the port engine upstream with the starboard engine tilted up out of the water. Visa versa when going downstream. This was a no wake zone, so either motor was only running at idle speed.

When an emergency occurred and he was notified on his VHF radio, he would calmly drop to neutral, drop the other engine, turn on his blue flashing lights, and pound the throttles until he was literally flying down the canal.

Oh for the memories. Wish I had pics.

In any event, my feeling is that running at idle and not taxing the engine, low speed should not be a problem. Just run her at WOT once in awhile to blow out the crap....

 

[Sea Rider]

50 hours difference between both motors it's not a big deal or something to worry about, if liking even worked hours run the one with 20 hours 50 more...LOL!!

Happy Boating​