Twin outboards

[danfall]

Hey All,

First post on this site. I'm not sure which forum to use.

I just bought a 1988 Lund 1650 Predator. It has a 40hp Johnson on it, but I bought a new Johnson 30hp last year for my old boat which I will sell. I like to fish in Minnesota and Canada. I'm a little twisted up between the reliability of a new Johnson 30hp motor with 3 hours on it and a 20 year old Johnson 40hp motor.

I'm thinking I could keep my reliability and spend 800 bucks on another 30 hp Johnson and get a tie bar and run twins for Mille Lacs/Superior/Lac Seul, etc.

I talked with a guy that had a 35 hp on the same boat and it did okay with him and his wife, but they were like 550# paired up, he said it bogged bad if they added a third, but these were big people.

I like the idea of running an old 800 dollar 30 hp motor in Canada as I've seen a unit go before...

If anyone posts back and likes the Twin idea, how do you do it in a tiller boat, or is this part of the consideration?

[fishlakeman]

I have a 1650 Predator, and you'll definately want some extra horse power over the 30 and even the 40. I have a Mercury 45 on mine and it tops out at 33 with me and gear. With a full livewell and 3-200lb guys in it, it still planes, but it takes a while and tops out at 24 mph. The Predator is an awesome boat, the best backtrolling boat I've used. I have it at my cabin on OtterTail and that boat has handled some rough waters, but we still have had to go in a few times. I wish I could help you out about the dual motors, but I don't really know anything about it.

[ChuckN]

Welcome to FishingMinnesota danfall!

I've owned an '88 Lund Stinger 1600 tiller with a '88 Johnson 40hp. That 40hp motor was bulletproof and it never let me down. It had the 50:1 pre-mix motor, not VRO.

My dad has an '89 Predator 1650 tiller to this day with a Johnson 60hp VRO. This has been in the family for over 13 years and has been a great set-up.

IMO, I would never put a 30 hp on a Predator. If you want a different motor, max the hp out. With experience with the 40hp and your boat, you are going to need all the hp you can get. The 60 hp works great and I believe that is the max motor for that rig.

I would not consider adding another outboard either, especially a tiller boat. I've added a kicker, but not a full size outboard.

[Valv]

Adding a second motor could be a good idea, but not in a tiller configuration.

Other issue will be the rotation of propeller, 2 30hp motors shouldn't be too bad, but the torque from both will be felt, in theory you should get a counter rotating motor as 2nd to balance the torque effect.

The tiller issue will be definitely a neg issue, and weight will be second issue (you are adding extra weight with 2 lower units, 2 center sections, etc.).

If reliability is your issue, I would install a smaller motor (eg. 9.9hp) as a kicker/spare, and use the main motor for normal operation. If you have yours checked from a reputable mechanic it will tell you the conditions of it, and if you will be safe for large body of water traveling.

[danfall]

Thanks for the posts back. It is pretty fair to say the twin outboard idea is not winning the popularity contest. I didn't realize counterrotation was even an issue. It makes sense that two motors running the same way would probably tend to slide the boat or make it turn or something.. or at least work against each other a bit. I'd like to know if anyone has ever done it before I criticize it all the way, though. There is a lot of debate on the oceangoing fishing discussions and most of the time, reliability is the deciding factor. When you fish in Ontario and go 20 miles up a river, reliability is even more important because not everyone has a radio tuned in, and cell phones don't always work..but I suppose my 3hp Merc would do the job, might be tough upstream. I think I'll start a search for a good 50 within my budget. It is a little more motor than I ever wanted, but it'll keep me out of a storm or two. I won't find much comfort in it though in rock country.

[ChuckN]

If you are worried about the main motor dying on you, a kicker motor will work. I had a 9.5hp Johnson on the Predator as a kicker and a small motor like this will get you home (or to help) in a pinch. I know from experience. Things can definitely go wrong.

[chunkytrout]

Yep Val hit it on the head. I can't imagine the resistance you'd get from twin whatever's on the back of a tiller unless maybe twin 9.9's. On a console yes, with counter rotating props. Find yourself a 50 and a decent kicker. If you load that boat alot, I's consider something a little larger than a 3 horse. Good luck and welcome to FM.

[Surface Tension]

I've seen twin tillers before and theres way to much monkeying around for me. Your 40 will push you around fine. Putting a 10 horse on will give you that second motor for a backup but you'll also have another tool to fish with.