Counter rotating propellors

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Roarque

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We are about to leave the world of Boston Whaler and join the long list of Grady White owners with the purchase of our first 232 Gulfstream. Karen and I have chosen to start with the Gulfstream because of its size - we are not quite ready to jump from an 18 foot Outrage to a 28 foot Sailfish! Since we expect our Gulfstream might be a stepping stone, we have decided to buy a used boat and then migrate to new when we know more about the Grady White family of boats.

One question, if we may. The Gulfstream we are considering has twin 150 hp engines that both have standard rotation. Is this a normal set up for this boat? It does have hydraulic steering so I can see where this set up work but being new to the Grady world, I thought I'd ask for help.

Is it normal to have counter rotating engines? Will either set up work well?

Greg
 
Counter rotation is the norm for twin engine boats.
What you may have is a engine that the lower unit blew on and they replaced the lower unit with the first one they found. Will it work- yes. Will the boat track straight and manuver as intended from the factory- probably not.

Look about half way down
http://www.boatfix.com/how/props.html
 
I don't think so - both the ECM numbers indicate standard rotation from Yamaha - the engines are F150s. If I understand you, Grady White would only mount counter rotating engines on a Gulfstream? The boat was built in 2005 - perhaps the dealer would have installed the engines? I don't know what GW standard practice is in this situation. A Boston Whaler dealer can only mount Mercury engines - can GW dealers only mount Yamahas?

I'm somewhat concerned about using the boat with this set up.

Greg
 
If properly trimmed (LU tabs) twin normal rotating motors will be fine.
Good luck
 
I know Sea Ray used to put standard rotating outdrives on a lot of there twins, I had a 270 Sundancer and it handled and tracked true with the standard rotation drives.
 
I've never skippered a twin with props rotating in the same direction so I can't give you firsthand knowledge. But I do know that prop walk from any prop can be significant especially in close quarters. And it makes holding a course more difficult. These are the two main commonly cited reasons for endorsing counter rotating props. And to my knowledge Grady has never shipped a twin without counter rotation. Here's a link that I found helpful: http://www.boatfix.com/how/props.html. Chapman's also discusses props in considerable depth. In the end I suppose a call to Grady would give you the most definitive answer.
 
The boat will be fine to use as is.
What you need to look at is the model number (plate on the engine bracket). F150 is a standard rotation and LF150 is a counter rotation. Both powerheads rotate the same way so the numbers on the ECU could be the same, what is different is the lower unit. If it really bothers you, look for a counter rotation lower unit- but be prepared to pay dearly for it.
 
I have no experience with outboards but my Kingfish had twin I/Os that were not counter rotating. I did not find that to be a problem. Docking and general handling was fine. I would guess that counter rotating would be nicer but not having it was not an issue. If you like the boat test drive it and see for yourself and try to test a counter rotating boat too. Only you can be the judge. For me if I thought the boat was a good deal and in good condition I would probably go for it.
 
Call GW Cust Service with the hull number and engine numbers. They should be able to answer your questions. I know I would want the counter rotating engines on my boat. I tend to agree with the post that said GW would only ship a boat that way. Check with them.
 
Since you have expressed your intent to "migrate to new," you must factor in your ability to sell the Grady you are now considering. I am going to go out on a limb, and say that since the introduction of counter-rotating Yamaha outboards motors in 1985(?), 100% of new, dealer rigged, twin Yamaha outboard Grady White boats have been rigged with counter-rotating motors. Any other set-up is a result of some repair, modification or replacement of at least one of the original motors. Any boat that is rigged with twin, standard rotation outboard motors will not work as well, and thus is less desirable than one rigged with twin counter-rotating motors. Caveat emptor.
 
Good call. Buying a used boat is always going to involve some degree of compromise (heck, even a new boat), but when there are going to be other similar boats with counter-rotators, the wise decision is to keep looking and get what you want.
 
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