4 or 5 motors

I'm fixing to build a new boat. A big one with 4 or 5 motors and props. Has anyone ever done something like that, and do you have any advice?

Hello Queeq

I am building a boat with four motors

Take a look at our thread called......."Vintage Gentleman`s Cruiser"

It`s just down the page from this thread

Tell me about your idea, please

Bob

Hi Bob,

I'm thinking of maybe a tug or a big fishing boat. I'll go with 4 motors for the sake of balance

But I need advice on these things:

1. 4 rudders behind each prop, or 2 rudders in between each set of 2 props?

2. How should the hull bottom be setup? I have 3 lobster boats and they all have center keels, with the propshaft running through the keel. But with 4 prop shafts, should the hull be identical to the lobster boats, and just route the propshafts on either side of the keel?

Some pics of twin-motor tugboats seem to show two keels, with propshafts running through them. So... I'm not sure of the best design. If someone has a pic of multiple-motor boats, that would be helpful.

3. As for the motor-setup... I'm thinking of the MFA 800 at 12v.... or maybe a gear reduced 540-size motor. If I use 4 big motors.... that means lots of power consumption to worry about. 540-size would give me plenty of space to work worth, and reduce the current. But I do want some huge props on this boat....

One of my lobster boats has a 65mm 5-blade prop with the MFA 850 belt drive reduction setup. And I kinda want to spin some props around that size... although... I'm not sure.

OK.... any advice you have would be helpful.

Hello Queeq

I think you may not have found my proposed motor drives.....As the thread is quite large

Here are my motor drives in their early stages....

Just keep popping in

Bob

I saw the thread, but did not see your motor setups.

Wow!! That is amazing.

Hello Queek

Each pair of MFA 850 motors will drive a single LH 60mm or 70mm dia prop and each prop will have a rudder

We have a single keel

Bob

Are you looking for speed or brute power?

I'm looking for brute power. I'm a fan of MFA Como motors.

Haven't designed the hull yet, but that might depend on the motor setup. If I go with the belt driven 800 or 850, I reckon I'll need lots of space.

Also, I want 4 motors turning 4 props.

For brute power read this thread **LINK**  it gets more interesting as the project develops and ends up with 4 huge motors and 4 heavy duty pumps.

Edited By Paul T on 27/11/2014 15:58:45

Wow Paul!! The Mighty Thor is truly powerful. My heaviest, and most powerful boat is the Ambassador. It's just about 3 feet long. MFA 850 with belt drive reduction turning a 65mm 5-blade prop. It was a veritable miracle how I mounted the motor!

My big boat will have to compete with the Ambassador.

Right now, I'm thinking of 4 MFA 800s, direct-driving 4 55mm props. I use the 800/55mm setup for my lobster boat Illusion and it's perfect.