Yeah some boats can be a real *****! Two bolts on the hatch ram and I can pull hatch off. Takes 2 people because of the size but it's maybe 25 pounds. :thankyouthankyou: I've worked on a lot of other boats and I am very happy mine is set up like it is. Check one out if it fits your criteria.

yea my hatch is not easy to remove at all..... used a fork lift. haha

All depends on the boat. The closer the bulkhead to the pulleys, the harder it is to work on anything. If that bulkhead is full height, (up to the gunwales), FORGET about it. It's a PITA to do anything.

Staggered setups make things easier, but cost you cockpit space depending on the boat and configuration.

This is workable:
http://activethunderboats.com/37_gallery.html

Very very very tight!

I have found that for me the best way to service things like plugs and impellers is pull the starboard engine. With one engine out the other one can be serviced easily along with the one hanging from the chain fall. When I built the engines I made them very much plug & play. I can have one engine out in 30 minutes and takes about 45-60min to put it back in. I would spend at least that much time cursing and swearing at the sea pumps! ;)

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i4...b/078482c6.jpg

With the back seat pulled forward it gives a bit more room. I never knew it folded back until I fell against it one day trying to work on the engines. I said," Damn it boy, blind hog found an acern." I'm thinking about cutting a hole in the sides of the cat to get to the outside of the engines.

Depends on the boat.my twin bbc 29 powerquest was impossible to work on without pulling a motor but my top gun i can sit in front of the motors and get at anything.

Not to bad on my Scarab. You learn to get into really tight places and to make custom tools.

Buy a twin engine cat, plenty of room to pull the plugs.

Lot of space
 

Cat, cat, cat. Only 30ft Twin engine boat and Lot of space. Three man race cockpit and one seat in rear "between" engines. Have a plan changed full widht back seat for more seats but after working in engine room... wont change. If u buy someone to do all the jobs maybe no matters but when working yourself.
So nice to stand inside the engine room front of engine and done plug change, oils etc.
Four seat place in cockpit its Low but when open the hatch's.. :)

Staggered.