Imco article(s)
 

I'm surprised no one has had anything to say about the two articles, one in Powerboat, and one in Hot Boat, about the twin drive system coupled to a single motor that Imco tested.
Either that or I missed it.
I remember suggesting a settup like this to my father over 20 years ago when I was about 12. He just said it would never work. (He's not the most mechanically inclined, or "free thinker", and hell, I was 12).

Any thoughts on it??

Re: Imco article(s)
 

that thing is pissah take say my baja 24 ol pro charge my509 say950hp I bet chine walk the 24, 25, footers are known for in upper speeds would go away and run abuck easy or put the set up in the new sutphen 32 :D my dream boat :D Ernie are you listening

Re: Imco article(s)
 

It I have a boat with twin drives I am going to have twin motors. At least if one motor breaks I will be able to get back. Both motors would not have to be as wild as the one to get big speeds either.

Re: Imco article(s)
 

Your right, the motor was a wild HP. I don't have the article in front of me, but I think it was an 1150. Alot of power, and I'm sure major maintanence.
But how do you think this could apply to a reasonable motor? In a Mid-size boat ( 25- 31 range?). Alot less weight. Much Cheaper to service instead of 2 motors. Two prop's in the water, is that similar to having more rubber on the road? Also, seems like people around here blow up drives before blowing up motors ( except for a few that come to mind... :D ). If you had a shifter to engage both drives, or Port/S.Board only, could you make it back to the dock a little easier? You would then be delivering the full power to only one drive - instead of splitting the power to run two. Of course, it would be far off "center", what would that affect?

I just wanted to bring it up as a topic for discussion - I've been thinking about this for over 20 years, and have always wondered why it hadn't been done yet.

Re: Imco article(s)
 

I was at Lake Elsinore, CA. the day that Imco was testing this boat (Nordic) with the 1,000+ HP motor with the 2 drives. It looked pretty cool. The cost is almost as expensive as having 2 motors with 2 drives. I was told this setup was designed for the smaller boats (20'-26') in the ski races. With 2 drives,it evens out the massive torque--- the boat will run more level.

Re: Imco article(s)
 

The drag boat guys have been running the twin screw, single engine set up for years.