Adding a 2nd engine

oceanpearl

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My biggest fear is be out riding around and the engine dies and having to wait like 10 hours for someone to come tow me or something along those lines. Ive been thinking about how much it would cost to add a 2nd engine to my 20 foot GW. Is there anything not so good about this idea? I was thinking about a full blown 175hp+ engine but on the other hand what if i got a smaller engine since this would be used in like an emergency situation.

Thoughts? Comments? Ideas? Cheaper solutions?

Thanks in advance.
 
Cheaper solution = Sea tow or Boat US tow membership. How far out are you going on a 20 footer that it might take 10 hours to get to you?
 
Top shelf safety equipment with an epirb and sea tow/boat us towing subscription. Even a 2nd engine is not a 100% prevention from breaking down.
 
As mentioned, bad fuel will kill both motors.
Regardless, the boat is probably not designed for two motors: The transom is probably not wide enough, nor strong enough. In addition the weight of the second motor would most likely adversely affect the boats trim ( think the stern down low, scuppers under water, and the bow sticking up)
 
I agree. Tow Boat came 10 miles offshore to get my Adventure when my water pump went south. They were there in less than an hour.
 
Tow boat or boat u.s. is your best and economical option. you can add a kicker mortor to 10-15 hp. That transom was not designed for twins of that size any way. Have seen few with twin 75-115's, .

But even with twins you shoudl get tow ins. As stated bad fuel is bad fuel. Also other items , electrical issues.... can end your day.

Never heard of anyone waiting more than a few hours for their tow service to show up.
 
Good to know thanks for the replies it was just a thought. I tend to over think things and like to have a backup plan then have a backup plan of the backup plan. If you have seen the Toshiba commercials for their new TV "we are ready to ship if we do not include wireless" then it flashes to some guy trying to plug in his TV and he pulls the cable poles down which ends up crashing a satellite which in return tells a lady's gps to turn left where she drives off a cliff. That's is exactly how i think. The 10 hour thing was just a theoretical situation i never plan to be too far from shore but if something ever did happen i want to make sure i can get back.
 
I put a Yamaha T8 kicker on my 1993 Escape 209.

Main use is trolling for salmon, but it will get me home.

I'm on northern Great Lakes.