Will your twin powered boat plane on 1 engine?

[redseacraft]

1978 23' SeaCraft twin 115 Suzuki 4 strokes. Will plane on 1 engine and run about 16mph. Motor was at about 4400rpm's wot. Tabs 1/2 down. I had to run like this one time for about 45 min's. One motor didn't start and a storm was approaching.
I didn't realized it but my black lab pulled one of the wires loose under the dash. I saw it hanging down, plugged it in and went on my way. Those wires are now neatly loomed up and out of the way.

[Capt Dave]

bigtuna - 11/9/2007 9:01 AM

31 contender with twin 300s....no chance
27 contender with twin 250s....no chance

That's funny cause our 27 Contender with twin 200's will plane easily on one engine.

The 26 regulator we had with twin 225's wouldn't plane on one unless you have 3-6 guys in the bow.

[catfoiler]

The sea trailed boat easily did so I assume mine will when I get it.
24' Prowler twin 175 Suk

[Joe]

On one engine at plane, does it throw the handling way off?? Is there a need to constantly correct the steering, or steer "into" it?

[TSA]

Yes. All of my twin boats have planed on one engine. That's because I buy boats that have more power than they really need and I prop them to run a heay load to begin with. Should you pass up purchasing an otherwise nice sled becuase a single won't get you up on plane? No. Unless you want to seriously lug the motor you are not going to come in on plane anyway. As stated in previous posts, the exceptions would be to get out of harms way, or to get someone to medical treatment. I've always owned Yams so I wouldn't know what it would be like to lose an engine. If I did, my preference would be to troubleshoot and correct the problem onsite. When an engine quits, and there is no loud bangs, fire, smoke, or obvious leaks, then it is usually something fairly easy to correct. Blame it on the Black Lab

[jethro1]

Eyehooker - 11/9/2007 5:27 AM

I disagree with statement that running on one engine will cause damage----- Watch the instruments ----

Ok, buy a car/truck with a manual transmission. Put it in third or fourth gear and start up a twenty mile long mountain. The mountain needs to be steep enough that at WOT throttle you can never go faster than 20 miles an hour or so. Watch the instruments. Then, after a period of time watch the rear view mirror for signs of smoke and other engine damage from detonation.

[Real Screamer]

My son has a 21' Carolina Skiff. The boat is powered with twin 300 XS Mercury's.
It actually runs quite well with only one, do not even change props.

[S1nger1]

Real Screamer - 11/9/2007 9:39 AM

My son has a 21' Carolina Skiff. The boat is powered with twin 300 XS Mercury's.
It actually runs quite well with only one, do not even change props.

Hey what is this some kind of joke

[Capt. Mako]

Ocean Master 31CC with 2x225 e-tec's i plane with one engine and do 20mph, but wont do it unless i have to

[Real Screamer]

Just trying to levatate the situation, boating is fun both on and off the water.
I ment no harm, boat actually runs fine with single 90 hp, my son wants a 300 XS.
Never enough ponies for him.

[LiveLine]

26' twin vee weekender w/ 150 hdpi's

Not a chance

[dwh_1987]

26' C-Hawk Cuddy, twin 150 HDPIs. It'll plane, but needs help from the trim tabs. I ran in from a lightning storm like this once, but it wasn't far. I was very glad it could do it. Turned out to be a loose external wire, no fault of the engine. No signs of detonation or other side effects.

[rocksandblues]

nope

[B-Faithful]

MakoMyDay - 11/8/2007 11:23 PM

You are cheating! you are running mercs

[ScarabChris]

His boat is also nicely powered for its size and propped right. I am a believer that more power is better than just enough or not enough.

[marsea]

Mine will not plane on 1 engine, twin Yamaha F 150's. But why would you want to anyway? It puts alot of stress on 1 motor. Maybe in an emergency situation, O.K. but I would be scared to run like 30 miles on 1 engine full bore. Maybe I'm wrong

[miles aweigh]

If it won't plane easily on one you might as well use one big motor and a kicker. Save money, save gas, but lose the macho.

[Tireless]

I have used my boats ability to plane on one engine on two occasions.

The first time I was 40 miles off the beach, fishing alone and spun the hub....all the gear went forward, I fire walled the throttle, ran to the bow and waited for the boat to come up on plane...ran home at 28 mph's. Limping in would have put me at the dock past midnight.

The next time I blew a powerhead 75 miles off the beach, fishing with 2 friends........the gear and friends went forward, I fire walled the throttle....ran home at 26 mph. Limping in would have put me at the dock closer to sunrise (the next day).

I have insurance so screw the motors........besides, it made for a thrilling ride home.

[catfoiler]

On a good day you could always change out a prop

[MakoMyDay]

B-Faithful - 11/9/2007 12:39 PM

BTW--it's running close to 40 in that pic, and it's not wide open.

You are cheating! you are running mercs