Twin screw or just duel control

[Kukaro]

Hi all I have a heritage east sundeck 40 which is a twin screw. I have 4 levers 2 are for the gears port and starboard and 2 for the power port and starboard. I was thinking of changing the set up for just duel controls so only 2 levers to do power and gears that's one per engine.

I know it can be done at a cost but what are people's opinions.

Is it worth it
Would it be better for Manoeuvring

[valhalla360]

If they are working properly, I wouldn't bother.

When you are docking, it should be pretty rare that you use more than idle speed, so you just work the gear levers. One on the water, you get them both in forward gear and then work the throttle levers.

Once you get used to it, it's not complicated.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

s.

Once you get used to it, it's not complicated.

This, but until I did whenever I got into a had to have it now as in a docking situation, I would seemingly always race an engine in neutral as opposed to putting it in gear. Do that and of course you have to wait until it's idling again before you can put it in gear and everyone knows your an idiot
You'll learn quickly, I did.

[darylat8750]

Not worth spending money on..

[ranger58sb]

Wouldn't be worth the cost to me. I rarely use throttles for docking, and it's not all that difficult to reach over and goose one engine or the other on the few occasions when it's useful.


-Chris

[Stumble]

I prefer a single lever for both throttle and gear. but it would be pretty far down the list of where to spend money to be honest.

[Kukaro]

I have had the boat for a few years now and have got used to it and was wondering if it would of been better but I think you have answered that now.

Docking on idle using the gears only is what I do but what off you are trying to dock in a strong tide and need more power then it becomes awkward

[tankersteve]

You may want to practice some harder throttle maneuvers in an open area, where you quickly run through throttle and transmission moves to effect certain maneuvers. Certainly a bit more of a dance than with a single lever per engine, but definitely doable, and you'll look pretty amazing to the average lubber when you get it all down.

Tankersteve

[Pirate1221]

My (not so) humble opinion...DON'T!!!! I've watched very experienced skippers, with your proposed setup, wipe out a dozen boats when a shift cable broke on one engine and the skipper continued to apply what he thought was reverse power....Yep, you guessed it....the engine was still in forward. I have pictures somewhere of a beautiful 35 Bertram S/F 4 feet above water on the sidewalk of the marina...after ripping through half a dozen smaller boats.

I would pay to switch to what you have, NOT the other way around.

Just my $0.02....

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Pirate1221

My (not so) humble opinion...DON'T!!!! I've watched very experienced skippers, with your proposed setup, wipe out a dozen boats when a shift cable broke on one engine and the skipper continued to apply what he thought was reverse power....Yep, you guessed it....the engine was still in forward. I have pictures somewhere of a beautiful 35 Bertram S/F 4 feet above water on the sidewalk of the marina...after ripping through half a dozen smaller boats.

I would pay to switch to what you have, NOT the other way around.

Just my $0.02....

How would a 4 lever setup make any difference in that scenario?

[Dukie67]

moot point--"dueling" was outlawed decades ago.....

[FamilyVan]

I'm a professional captain, that maneuvers a lot. Google "maid of the mist".

Combinator controls reduce work load. It does.

If you have the money, and you find you are overwhelmed by the workload- upgrade.

If you don't have a ton of cash, learn to work with what you have.

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