Twin Engine Questions '85 Amberjack

[1976Patina]

Looking for a 1985 Sea Ray Amberjack with twin V8's. I'm told they are not counter-rotational props. If that's true, is there any disadvantage? Will it still do a pivot turn? Will the handling be as stable? Is the performance as good? Is the direction determined by engine rotation or outdrive?
What should I know that I don't know to ask??

 

[moparlvr4406]

it would be the drive that determines direction of prop rotation

 

[Big Island Lifer]

I am not they made thoe with twin V8's. I think most of them were 4 and maybe 6 cyl. The '85 AJ are a big 25 ft boat. The newer 86-89 AJ's are 270's and some of those may have twin V8 power.

 

[1976Patina]

Yeah, they made'em! Twin 305's with 4 barrel carbs.

 

[JimFromMD]

Yeah, they made'em! Twin 305's with 4 barrel carbs.

My Dad's 87 270DA had twin engines and alpha drives. They did not counter rotate. It would pivot, but not as it does now. We had to have a drive replaced due to hitting a log, and they put on an aftermarket drive that does counter rotate. With both engines rotating the same direction previously, the boat backed well in one direction but not as well in the other, very similar to the way a single engine boat does. You definitely could do some pivoting, but just not as agressively.

As has already been pointed out, the drives on the boat will determine if it counter-rotates.

James.

 

[JVM225]

My boat was twin engine with both standard rotation until this season. I replaced the port drive with a CR. The difference backing is night and day. It used to pull hard to port when backing with an exagerated bow swing to starboard (the pivot point for the boat is all the way back at the swim platform), now I can back up straight and have good control.

 

[play dough]

I have twin RH Alpha drives on a 30' DA. I've never had any issue with handling. The comments are interesting that the counter rotation is significantly improved. I don't typically back into a slip so can't comment on that. I have had seasonal slips the past few years that required both clockwise and counterclockwise rotation to enter the slip. The CCW turn seems to have better control. There seems to be a little more of a drift to port of the stern with the CW turn. After a couple dockings, I know what to expect so there is no problem. That's been my experience the past 10 years with this boat.

 

[sbw1]

It is easier to back and turn a twin I/O with non counter rotating props with one engine in neutral and operate it as a single engine I/O.

 

[JVM225]

I have twin RH Alpha drives on a 30' DA. I've never had any issue with handling. The comments are interesting that the counter rotation is significantly improved. I don't typically back into a slip so can't comment on that. I have had seasonal slips the past few years that required both clockwise and counterclockwise rotation to enter the slip. The CCW turn seems to have better control. There seems to be a little more of a drift to port of the stern with the CW turn. After a couple dockings, I know what to expect so there is no problem. That's been my experience the past 10 years with this boat.

The biggest improvement for me was the backing up. There was a slightly noticeable difference in tracking going forward, but the backing was significant.

 

[JVM225]

It is easier to back and turn a twin I/O with non counter rotating props with one engine in neutral and operate it as a single engine I/O.

I did it that way for years. My home slip is alongside a bulkhed, but just about anyplace we go around here is a back in situation. There was too much pushing the rear to port before with both props moving it over in that direction. With the CR it backs up wherever you want it to. Just put both motors in reverse and steer. It's also much easier to re-align and make minor adjustments in the bow when setting up to back in to a slip with the CR. Now I just have to bump either one side or the other in to gear to move the bow over.
It still doesn't handle nearly as well as a twin inboard around the dock because the pivot point is all the way back, but it is much better than before.