Will your twin powered boat plane on 1 engine?

pursuit2800 · 11-08-2007, 07:44 PM

One of the common rationales we hear on the boards about triple engine CCs is the ability to run home on plane should an engine go down. I have not seen any posts or comments about twin engine CCs planing on 1 engine.

This was a critical factor for me when looking for my next boat. Of the two boats I sea trailed at the Miami Show only one was able to plane on a single engine.

35' Marlago w/Cuddy Twin 275 Verado, 150 gals fuel, 4 adults- was not able to plane, shifted passengers to front of boat, worked the tabs, worked with the waves, etc. We couldn't get her on top.

32' Intrepid w/Cuddy Twin 275 Verado, 200 gals fuel, 4 adults- piece of cake, no tab required, passengers remained at the console, 25 mph top end

I'd like to hear other forum members results. Glen E, did a single 250 get you on plane? If not, will the new 300s?

Glen E · 11-08-2007, 07:46 PM

with rev 4's my 250 would plane on one engine and run 26 mph or so....certainly the 300 will....

rotordriver · 11-08-2007, 08:14 PM

Grady 273 with F250's will plane on one motor and run about 30 mph. Been there had to do it for 35 miles.

saltwaters · 11-08-2007, 08:17 PM

I can't speak for outboat powered boats but in the inboard world it is a very bad idea to try to make the boat plane using only one engine.

I have two 148 hp engines in my Topaz. The engines have the correct propellers so they run up to the max rated 3600 RPM at WOT. Shutting one engine off creates a grossly overloaded condition. I doubt it would make 2/3's of the rated engine RPM. This would surely cause the single engine to overheat.

Not a good idea in my experience. Maybe outboard boats are different.

MakoMyDay · 11-08-2007, 08:23 PM

kerno · 11-08-2007, 10:35 PM

My 29 Stamas Tarpon had no problem planing on one of its Honda 225s. I was impressed, since that is a lot of boat to get up on plane with only 225HP. But it would do it without a problem.

baypro21 · 11-09-2007, 03:18 AM

I've researched this topic a little, my understanding is if the boat is propped correctly then most will not plane with 1 engine. Some have suggested bringing a pair of lower pitch spare props and change the prop on the good motor. This way you can come in on plane and be propped correctly so as not to damage the motor. I would hate to lug the motor for 2 hours coming in from 40 miles out. Don't forget your mesh bag so you don't lose anything while changing the prop in the bouncing waves.

jethro1 · 11-09-2007, 04:28 AM

A different but related question is, should you even try to plane a twin powered boat on one motor. If it is propped correctly with two working it can't be propped correctly with just one turning. You will be severely overboosting the motor (lugging) and this can lead to bad things happening. Are you prepared to ruin a 15 - 20 thousand dollar motor to get home earlier? You might get home without an apparent problem but who knows what long term damage has been done.

Seeing that people are even discussing this issue, maybe it is time to have the engine data loggers start recording manifold pressure as it relates to engine rpm. This way the mechanic can tell if the engine has been abused in which case the warranty should be voided (at least for the powerhead or long block).

It is not just an accident that with twin Yamahas if one goes down on power the other (good) one will automatically be cut back as well.

ReelNauti · 11-09-2007, 05:00 AM

I agree with saltwaters about the inboards.

I had a problem recently with one engine and came back on one. I didn't even try to push it since I would rather go slow on one, then risk overheating or damaging the other one and being stuck.

marinerjoe · 11-09-2007, 05:10 AM

My last boat, a Wellcraft 290 Coastal with 225 HP Evinrude FICHTS would NOT plane on one engine. Max speed with one wide open was 13 knots.

1bayouboy · 11-09-2007, 05:17 AM

I think having a lower pitch prop that would get you engine to the correct RPM range while only pushing the boat slightly above it's minimal planing speed would work......but I haven't tried it yet. Of course it might take a 13 inch pitch.....

I think deeper V's would be harder to plane too....

Glen E · 11-09-2007, 05:19 AM

Quote:

jethro1 - 11/9/2007 7:28 AM

A different but related question is, should you even try to plane a twin powered boat on one motor. If it is propped correctly with two working it can't be propped correctly with just one turning. You will be severely overboosting the motor (lugging) and this can lead to bad things happening. Are you prepared to ruin a 15 - 20 thousand dollar motor to get home earlier? You might get home without an apparent problem but who knows what long term damage has been done.

Seeing that people are even discussing this issue, maybe it is time to have the engine data loggers start recording manifold pressure as it relates to engine rpm. This way the mechanic can tell if the engine has been abused in which case the warranty should be voided (at least for the powerhead or long block).

It is not just an accident that with twin Yamahas if one goes down on power the other (good) one will automatically be cut back as well.

I would agree with this, just 'cause my boat can do it, does not mean I would use it on one engine. It's gotta be hard on everythng; motor, transom and rigging. I think the only time i would ever use it would be to get out of harms way or some one injured on the water and speed was the priority. In all other sitautions, if I lose a motor, I'm cranking the tunes, firing up the AP and coming in at 8 mph....

Eyehooker · 11-09-2007, 05:27 AM

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

Wet-n-Wiley · 11-09-2007, 05:28 AM

On my bow heavy 2800 hydrasport walkaround when both engines were humming the boat would plane nicely and reach about 46 on the gps. On a couple of occasions I lost engine power a mile out or so and had to limp back using just one engine. I was amazed at the lack of speed, power or plane I had on a single engine, I basically had to troll speed home. With my boat there was no amount of trimming, tilting or throttle that would get the boat on a plane with a single. Depends on the setup and boat I guess.

Glen E · 11-09-2007, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Eyehooker - 11/9/2007 8:27 AM

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

agreed..but sometimes things can happen that are not on the instruments, like bracket damage, transom weaking and other things torque can do....bottom line is I'm not doin it unless I have to...it's like the tilt/no tilt thread...why take the chance if you don't have to?

katkt · 11-09-2007, 05:35 AM

Yes.

bigtuna · 11-09-2007, 06:01 AM

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

Trying to plane on one engine or running on one engine on a boat that requires twins WILL tear up that one motor. Have heard several instances where friends lost a motor and tried to come home on plane with one motor that was still running...ended up blowing the power head on the remaining motor pushing it to hard

Afishinado · 11-09-2007, 06:28 AM

Never tried it on the Grady... No need to test it, it has Yamahas

We managed to get my bud's 351 Triton up on two of the three 250 Vrats, no problem

ScarabChris · 11-09-2007, 07:20 AM

With 20 pitch props it will pop right on plane and run 33 MPH on one engine, once its up and running I can even back off WOT. With the 22 pitch props I use regularly it will plane off but it takes a little while to get going, once up it will run about 28 MPH. I carry the spare 20 pitch props on boars all the time.

I have never had to come in on one but I did these tests when I got the engines. I wanted to see if it would do it like on the E-Tec video.....it did......with the right props.

Holy Smoke · 11-09-2007, 07:22 AM

23 regulator 200 hpdi's

It will run 35 mph+ on one engine no problem.