"John H." wrote in message
...
On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 11:47:36 -0500, " *JimH*" wrote:


"NOYB" wrote in message
link.net...

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 02:43:25 GMT, "NOYB" wrote:

I've been boating for over 20 years, buy have never owned a twin screw
boat
this size (31' LOA...10'7" beam). It should be a learning experience.

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

There are a few new tricks but with a ouboards that can be steered,
you can handle it almost like a single. One of the issues with twin
OBs is that the props are not usually far enough apart to generate the
steering torque necessary to turn the boat in its own length, as most
twin inboards can by putting one engine in forward and the other in
reverse.

Thanks, Wayne. I heard that you can compensate a little bit by
increasing
the throttle with the reverse engine.



Once you learn to properly operate twins you will love them. What helped
me
with my first boat with twins (IO's) was to think of the throttles as a
handle bar on a bike. To turn the bow to port put the port in reverse and
starboard in forward. Your hand position would be the same as if you were
turning a bike to the left.

The boat looks like a beauty. Congratulations.


Did you mean a bike, or a tricycle? They aren't the same, if there is
anything
other than *very* slow speed on the bike.

--


Yes, I mean your relative hand position when turning the handle bars on a
bicycle. Turn left and your left hand is down (towards your body) and
right hand pushed up (away from your body). Turn the bow on your boat to
the left (port) with the engines your left hand goes down (putting the port
engine in reverse gear) and your right hand goes up (putting the starboard
engine in forward gear).

I always sterned into the dock. The port engine generally stayed in reverse
and I did all/most of the maneuvering with the starboard engine (going
between forward and reverse gears). I never touched the steering wheel.

It worked for me. ;-)