Are twin engines setup

[Marcq]

More powerful then singles ? like 2x40hp is it less or more powerful then a 80hp ?

Marc..

[JimCt]

By the numbers 40 + 40 = 80 but you have the extra drag of that second lower unit plus some added weight over a single.

Several schools of thought about twins.  My school teaches redundancy.  Barring bad fuel, the chance of twins failing together is practically nil.  If a single engine rig fails, call SeaTow.  Other advantage with twins is you can shut one down when trolling and save considerable fuel.  Maneuverability in tight areas with twins is practically as good as having a bow thruster.

[Marcq]

Thanks Jim, next time I re power, I would really like to go with twins, for the reason you mentioned, right now I have a 1979  85 hp johnson at 301lb and wouldn't mind going with 2 2 stroke 35hp johnson that weights about 159lb each for a 1999 motor or 2 30hp for 118lb each, would that be enough to get on plane with my 17 ?

Marc..

[JimCt]

My 170 with a single 75 hp Merc 2 stroke ran ~ 30 mph with full fuel & 2 people aboard.  Plenty fast enough for me.

[Bushleaguer]

Another advantage to having twins is that if you troll alot, you can significantly cut the number of engine hours you log by rotating back and forth each time you fish.  In theory, your engines should last twice as long.

[Undertow2]

Twins = twice the maintenance, almost twice the upfront cost, twice the weight, more fuel over time, twice the damage if you hit something, etc. etc.

In a good economy, twins are def. the way to go.  Maneuverability and safety outweigh all the aformentioned.

Tough call these days.