Powering 16' cruiser

Y

YACD

New member
Is it possible to power a 16' cruiser with twin 20hp motors? The reason I ask is that Pennsylvania has many state parks with good sized lakes which have a 20hp motor limit, so one engine in use would satisfy that limit. At the same time there are many protected waters where there is no hp limit and both motors could be used. I realize that there is always the option to use a kicker with a bigger motor but is there any way to steer a kicker with the wheel or do you have to sit/stand next to the kicker to operate it?
 
I don't know how the law works there but in parks out here with a HP limit, I believe it is the HP that are mounted on the boat that matter and not what is actually in use. Something to check into to make sure.
 
It's relatively easy to set up a tie bar to your main engine for steering the kicker from the helm. Operating the shifter/throttle functions is another matter. Also you need to consider weight distribution across the stern and interference from swimstep or trim tabs.
 
Thanks Roger - I looked up the official park regs and it does explicitly state that the total hp may not exceed the posted limits. So unless powered by at most 20hp a 16' c-dory would not be officially permitted in those parks with a posted 20 hp limit. I have seen many boats with more powerful motors than 20 hp being used with their kickers, so those guys are technically in violation.
 
The usual "rule" is that if you take the prop off the big engine, you are allowed. We have a ton of lakes in our area with low HP rules. People run with their trolling and kickers but remove the prop from the big engine. That makes them happy.
 
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