Time on my hands...latest incarnation of Texas Maid with twins

[tmcalavy]

Have had some time on my hands recently, while looking for work. Had two Johnson outboards as twins on this boat earlier, an 18 and a 15 hp. This is the second incarnation of twin power for this boat, a 57 Evinrude Big Twin 35 hp and a Johnson FD-11 18 hp, had to extend the legs on both motors to fit the transom. Next project is a battery and tray/box, bilge pump, five gang switch panel on the dash, horn and lights. Then she'll be bound for the lake to test this arrangement. I'm curious to see what speed she'll make and if I have any torque steer from this rigging.
Thought you might like to see an update on the Maid and the twins.

 

[fuzzeywiggler]

Re: Time on my hands...latest incarnation of Texas Maid with twins

Hey supurb looking engines nice boat too do you have any pictures of the throttle + shift hookups? You should make a vid of her voyage

Fuzzey

 

[oops!]

Re: Time on my hands...latest incarnation of Texas Maid with twins

wow......

how the heck did you find the parts to extend the legs?

btw......they look sweet

thanks for the update

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Time on my hands...latest incarnation of Texas Maid with twins

Thanks guys. Parts came from the old iron grapevine. Here's a pix of the cables hooked up with the other power arrangement. Only difference when I get another set of cable anchors for the Big Twin will be it in place of the Johnson on the right. I'll work on getting my choc lab, first mate Ted, trained in running a camera...2nd shakedown run should come by end of month hopefully.

 

[TriadSteeler]

Re: Time on my hands...latest incarnation of Texas Maid with twins

The twins look they just rolled off the assembly line. Great job!

Not to mention that twins are every man's fantasy. Lucky dog.

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Time on my hands...latest incarnation of Texas Maid with twins

Yea I agree the twins really look great !!! Great work !! John

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Time on my hands...latest incarnation of Texas Maid with twins

Those engines are nearly twins, and they look great! Nice job.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Time on my hands...latest incarnation of Texas Maid with twins

Every now and then I have a really good day. Got the lights, bilge pump, and horn wiring harness in place today, along with the 3-gang switch plate on the dash...hooked up the battery and I have sound, lights and a pump working on command. Wish I could find a smaller battery box, the large one I have is about 3 inches too long for my battery...which fits a Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV. Anyone know a retail place with a range of battery boxes?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Time on my hands...latest incarnation of Texas Maid with twins

Neat setup. I bet you can get 25mph or so out of that setup. I wonder if running both motors will be as effecient ast just running the 35hp alone. And I'm sure that when running both notors, the boat will have a tendency to drift to the right due to the 35hp being offset to the left, will have more force applied to the left of the boat, making it turn right.

Let us know how it handles. I very unique setup. And very nice work on the motors.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Time on my hands...latest incarnation of Texas Maid with twins

Another good day. Found a smaller battery box, got that installed and fitted the bilge pump in and wired it up. Now I can fit the two fuel tanks and think about guide ons for the trailer.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Time on my hands...latest incarnation of Texas Maid with twins

Any reason you are not using one tank to feed both motors? It would probably take up less space and hold more fuel than two smaller tanks.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Time on my hands...latest incarnation of Texas Maid with twins

Well I've got a 6-gallon Merc tank refitted with OMC connectors and a 3-gallon Johnson tank. Both will fit up under the splash well, but it would be nice to have a little more room back there. How do you feed two motors from one tank, can't picture how the fuel line/primer bulb(s) would be set up? The 18 hp Johnson is really good on fuel, but I expect the Big Twin to be a lot thirstier. Even so, I bet 9-10 gallon fuel capacity will work for both considering the size of the lakes I fish in.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Time on my hands...latest incarnation of Texas Maid with twins

Well I've got a 6-gallon Merc tank refitted with OMC connectors and a 3-gallon Johnson tank. Both will fit up under the splash well, but it would be nice to have a little more room back there. How do you feed two motors from one tank, can't picture how the fuel line/primer bulb(s) would be set up? The 18 hp Johnson is really good on fuel, but I expect the Big Twin to be a lot thirstier. Even so, I bet 9-10 gallon fuel capacity will work for both considering the size of the lakes I fish in.

If I were to hook two primer bulb lines to a single tank, I would put a T fitting right after the tank connecter and have both bulbs after the T. The bulbs will act as one way valves so one motor won't suck from the others float bowls.