$2000 for one of those?

Has anyone started a balance sheet with Pluses and Minuses? How about a projected cost? You say you own one outboard now. How much for a matching counter rotating engine to make a pair? The only real plus I see is the added maneuverability over a single I/O. I still say a shallow draft thruster would be cheaper in the long run. http://www.capsante.com/Pages/thruster.html

You know Houseboats started out with outboards then graduated to Ios then V-Drives . I think things are starting to regress due to some consumer misinformation. I for one do not want to have to fool with outboards on a Houseboat or any other vessel over 30 ft. Admitted aluminum is light enough for helm response but woodboats Burnscraft would be a far different story. You are talking 25,000 IBS with that puppy if Charlie built it on one of his good days. I would still like to know the price of the diesel setup that was removed. I hope this does not start a run on outboards as they are just not as efficient as the others. Woodboat, I do not think they make counterrotating engines in outboards. Many IOS were same rotation on twin application. I want to be able to run a boat not herd it. A 50 Gibson with Vs will out handle any Houseboat with outboards. This is fact not hearsay. I guess to each his own. My opinion is if it did not come with it leave it alone. Never try and change the design or propulsion of a factory boat unless it was an option anyway. Some get away with it but most do not.
pirate38161.8393287037

Here is an ad for counter rotating Yamahas http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/9/8/71807098.htm

and there are a few here http://www.alterscale.com/

Of course they are models

So I know they exist. My Burns reads 36000 NET on the hull near the port engine. The Vs handle wonderfully. The pilings are still set for my old boat so I just barely clear. I have maybe 3 inches on either side. I have taken it out three times. I have yet to touch the piling when docking. Of course all three times I have come back on one engine as I still don't have the port engine straight and of course the generator is still dead My only point was that twin Outboards MAY be better to maneuver than a single I/O but I would still buy a thruster rather than go through the expense and hassle to modify a boat when the result will be:

The same speed

Less fuel efficient

Lower resale value



So I am on your side for sure.
woodboat38161.8883564815

TRADITION TRADITION TRADITION

WHY WON'T THESE KIDS LISTEN TO US OLD

FARTS WHO KNOW BETTER?
OLD HOUSEBOATER38161.9208333333

Poorbuthappy lives in FL. If they travel shallow water, Keys or 10,000 Islands for example, the shallow draft that outboards offer is a great option. Again with the very salty enviroment outboards off greatly reduced maintenance. Agreed any twin screw inboard is going to out maneuver all other forms of propulsion. I think you have to look at the regional applicaton/ personal preference. Engine manufactures make counter roatating(CR) outboards starting at the 50 HP rating. I would not worry about CR on a HM. You are not going to plane with small OB's. One of the benefits of CR OB's is the reduction in tork steer but this is not a problem at low speeds.

Don't hate us Gen X-er's for our crazy, new ideas.

Black Swan in BC is going jets. Cant wait to see how that turns out.

I seem to remember Pirate posting that a Gibson with I/Os draws more water than an inboard. Wouldn't this also apply to outboards? Secondly exactly how is the maintenance LESS on an outboard? One would think with the gear case sumbmerged in salt water that maintenace would be more. A fresh water cooled inboard only needs regular maintenance like an oil change and careful watch on Zincs, same as an outboard. You would think that in addition to similar maintenance that you would also take on servicing the lower unit whereas a typical velvet drive needs almost none. woodboat38163.4292476852