Okay, never heard this topic addressed on the forums before and I've done a search or two without finding it. So the question is...when you mount twin outboards on the transom, is there a rule of thumb for spacing, ie. distance apart? Obviously they have to be separated enough so each has clearance throughout its turning radius. But once that is accomplished there's the question of...what is better, closest as clearance allows? or further apart, and how far is too far apart?
Reason I ask is I'm restoring an early 60's Texas Maid 15 ft. aluminum V-hull runabout. I've got two Johnson RD's (35 hp) in the shop that may become one reliable outboard...if the outboard gods keep smiling on me. That's one power option. Power option two is mounting the two Johnson FD-11's (18 hp) that I have...both are sweet runners and are sitting idle, so I thought "why not try the pair?" Either power option will be steered with a refitted cable-over-pulley system that I put back in place since I had all the necessary items lying around.
Don't expect to get 36 hp out of the 18 hp twins, but I'm curious to see what the pair will do on the water.
Anyone out there with experience fitting twins on relatively small craft who can address the spacing questions?
Reason I ask is I'm restoring an early 60's Texas Maid 15 ft. aluminum V-hull runabout. I've got two Johnson RD's (35 hp) in the shop that may become one reliable outboard...if the outboard gods keep smiling on me. That's one power option. Power option two is mounting the two Johnson FD-11's (18 hp) that I have...both are sweet runners and are sitting idle, so I thought "why not try the pair?" Either power option will be steered with a refitted cable-over-pulley system that I put back in place since I had all the necessary items lying around.
Don't expect to get 36 hp out of the 18 hp twins, but I'm curious to see what the pair will do on the water.
Anyone out there with experience fitting twins on relatively small craft who can address the spacing questions?