Running twin 350's

[MikeMonte]

Just looking at boats for sale, and see some with twin 350s and twin 454s. Do you need to run both engines at all times? I know they each have there own key for start-up but is it necessary to run both engines at once?

Is it bad to not use both?

 

[MikeMonte]

Re: Running twin 350's

I didn't say I was going to buy anything, just looking at boats for sale. I was just wondering so I figured I would ask. Thanks for your reply though

 

[PuddleJumper]

Re: Running twin 350's

Yup. Twin engine boats will require operating both engines. One engine can limp you home if one fails but will not even plane the boat. OBTW twin engines usually means twice the maintenance costs and twice as hard to work on but easier to maneuver and a lot of fun.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Running twin 350's

no..... if you look at the hour meters on used twin I/O boats you will notice that the engine with the power steering pump almost always has more hours than the other.... plenty of folks cruise slow on one engine to save fuel.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Running twin 350's

You can run them on a single motor. The boat will tend to "pull" in one direction, and as noted above, if you have seperate hour meters, the one being used will rack up more hours. I have heard of people using one motor in one direction out, then the other on the way home.

I personally have always had both running when using the boat, but it is entirely possible to only use one. Just not recommended to push that one motor past steerage speeds.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Running twin 350's

Not that it really makes a difference, but what type of boat?
Cruiser, sport,...?

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Running twin 350's

A someone with a twin engine boat, it is better to run them both vs. just one engine. I have read a great deal about this on manufacturer's web site and they go into great detail regarding the efficiency of the engines and fuel burn per ton and hull design, etc.

Can you run it on just one? Yes, but the engine will work twice as hard pushing the boat. The fuel burn can be greater with the single engine (depending on speed and conditions) than with both. There is relatively zero fuel savings by running just one, and it may actually burn more.

Is maintenance more? Yes. Twice the cost. Twice the impellers, distributer caps, rotors, plugs, etc. But the engines work half as hard at most given speeds (barring WTFO) and the maintenance may be performed less often.

Is it harder to steer? Yes. The boat has a tendancy to push toward the opposite side and counter steering is a full time job.

A twin engine boat offers the mindset of a redundant back-up power supply to get you home and as mentioned, it much more maneuverable in close quarters.

 

[rbh]

Re: Running twin 350's

Look at it this way, if your fishin in from a big cruiser with twins, and your only running one, trolling speed should be easy to obtain.

(our sundancer has twin 260s, and if I am plodding around the lake "IE fishen" one works great)