Wayne,

I was talking about twin inboards but my comments apply to either. I don't
intend to brag but I know a bit about power reliability due to my background
in enhancing power reliability in critical DOD C and C facilities.

The ability to switch between and/or parallel battery banks is extremely
useful. But, two banks are required for redundancy. As I'm a belt and
suspenders kind of guy I run twin Optimas for my small outboard and carry a
12 volt jumper package for additional backup.

Twin tanks are required for true redundancy, also. The best arrangement is
to be able to run both or either engine from either tank using ball valves.
An arrangement drawing is very useful when mounted adjacent to the valve
rail. I also recommend redundant fuel filters for each tank with the
ability to switch between them while the engine is running. With that
arrangement it's possible to continue to a destination in the event you get
a load of bad fuel. Quality filters/separators are the way to go.

Don't for get to carry a spare prop. A couple of weeks ago a fishing buddy
spun a hub shortly after launching. Fortunately we were able to idle back
to the ramp, recover the boat and change the prop.

Bertram, being a very high quality boat, IMO, is constructed in a very high
quality manner with the proper systems for safe offshore use.

Butch
"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 19 Dec 2005 14:40:00 GMT, "Butch Davis"
wrote:

Twin engine setups do not provide the reundancy they often appear to
provide. Most are supplied with fuel from a single tank and a single
battery bank. If you want true redundancy with twins your fuel tankage
and
starting batteries should also be redundant. Stock boats seldom provide
that sort of setup.

==========================

I've seen quite a few twins with separate starting batteries, and the
better ones have a parallel solenoid that can be kicked in if one side
is weak. My old Bertram even had a separate parallell solenoid for
the generator in case that battery was low. Are you talking about
twin outboards or inboards?