counter rotating props?

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by garbubba

I'm still searching for a motor for my '87 cuddy. Want a carb yammie, but since I have merc controls I'd settle for a 150 merc. I've seen a few deals with a pair of counter rotating props & it got me thinking.

If you had only one engine, why would it matter which way the prop spins? It would just torque in the opposite direction, right?

And then why are counter rotating engine generally cheaper? & prop's too?

Doug

Supply and demand basically. Not a lot of boats use twin engines, so when someone repowers or blows an engine the regular rotating engine sells easier than the counter rotating one.. so there are simply more used counter rotating engines available than the demand for them.. which equals a lower price as the owner trys to sell it.

Additionally, I think I recall reading that counter rotating engines are not as reliable as regular rotating engines? Now I could be wrong about that, so don't hold my feet to the fire over it... I just seem to recall reading about it somewhere....probably here.