tripple engine setup

[rock]

I bought a v bottom with 3 200 Mercs with coned lowers. Came with 3 props of which 2 are rh and one is lh. On a normal tripple install which motor would be the lh. I assume it is the middle but usually when I assume something....well, you know. Thanks

Rock

[johnmiffco]

on my trip vee
I run the counter on the port side
this give the outside 2 motors a "turning out" combo
this helps with control and easier docking and better transom lift
the center motor is the workhorse motor
meaning it has more water grip at all times being the lowest and on the vee
u can play with center prop a lot,,,,,

[sonicss33]

I agree with above. Also sometimes the center prop pitch may be less than the outers. I had a triple OB Sonic years ago. Hard on the center power head.

[sonicss33]

Flashback. My center and starboard were RH and port was LH. Many variables to proper setup. Good luck. Keep us posted.

[stv92]

Good to hear your playing with the big boys, haha.

mine 3 225efi but mine is a cat.
left , right, right.
i found mine runs best with 3 blades outside, one pitch down and 4 blade in the middle.

middle one I do not shift, shift with the 2 outsides.
post some pics, we want to see it.

[rock]

Thanks for the replies and setting me straight. A couple years back I bought a 30' something with 3 200s. Turned out the boat was crap so I took the 3 motors and props and left the boat there. Had a buddy break a lower and needed a driveshaft so I told him to take apart one of the lowers that came off that boat. It had no drain or vent plug in it so I assumed it was trash. After we finally got it apart I found an extremely heavy duty bearing carrier and amazingly the internals were like new. No oil for at least 2 years and they were clean beyond imagination.
So due to my good fortune I had a project for my Champion. Fixed nose cone and built a channel for the water transfer then got it ready for use. Removed CLE from Champion and for whatever reason took a look at the pic I had taken of the carrier and that was when I noticed the gears were cut different. This is what made me think of it's previous application and the fact I have a left hand prop. The issue however is the lower turns the same as my RH sportmaster off the Allison. Just a coincidence I had both boats needing lower work and sporty is still apart waiting for seal kit to arrive.
This lower when shifted to forward turns the same as a RH lower. How is that possible with the cut on the gears. Picture on left is sportmaster and pic on right is the carrier in question. Any help/advice/little bit of education is welcome. I can't install this lower without knowing for sure and I am gonna be pissed iffn I wasted time building a left hand lower. Thanks

Rock

[johnmiffco]

left cases shift cable is opposite of the right at the shift box
as the reverse gear now is used for forward left rotation as why gear is cut opposite
carrier is beefed up as it is loaded hard in forward with gear pushin on it

also I do the same with props on my trip vee
runnin 3 blade 30 cleavers on outside
and 4 blade 28 cleaver on center

[rock]

So when I rotate shift shaft to the right I am actually putting it into reverse?

Rock

[johnmiffco]

left hand rotation gearcase with clockwise rotation motor
YES reverse becomes forward,,,,,,,
as why it has opposite cut gears and heavier duty carrier

[FUJIMO]

I bought a v bottom with 3 200 Mercs with coned lowers. Came with 3 props of which 2 are rh and one is lh. On a normal tripple install which motor would be the lh. I assume it is the middle but usually when I assume something....well, you know. Thanks

Rock
There is no such thing as normal triple outboard rotation rigging. On a V-hull, cat, or otherwise. Because the reasons it came from the builder as new, the way it did, had his own logic for rigging it the way he thought it was suppose to be & performed the best, for his particular bottom & customer use. A race V-hull triple is rigged differently than a pleasure version, of the same manufacturer. I can tell you this. An enormous amount of time & testing goes into dialing-in a particular hull on a triple when new, for the many purpose versions a builder puts together. Everything from tie-bar/steering plate(s) adjustments, to steering component combinations, to propeller types, to installed heights & gearcase designs...to transom and/or transom bracket setbacks & mounting surface angles, to engine center to centers, to proper rigging, etc., etc...

[FUJIMO]

I've probably built more new triple outboard boats, than anyone else your going to get advice from on this board. You would probably be surprised to know, that "one" of the reasons that a left hand short shaft would be installed outboard, is that a short left motor, bought at OEM(or dealer)cost level pricing, is about $1000.00 cheaper, than installing a 25" shaft left-hand motor. So sometimes, its merely done for its cost consideration, due maybe, because the builders cashflow was a little low that particular week. There are a LOT of variables when putting together a brand-new multi-outboard performance boat.

[rock]

Thanks for the info. Learnin new stuff all the time and I really do appreciate the explanations. Anyone need a nice left hand 20" coned and channeled lower. Even got a hump back cleaver for it.

Rock

[Turborr]

I've probably built more new triple outboard boats, than anyone else your going to get advice from on this board. You would probably be surprised to know, that "one" of the reasons that a left hand short shaft would be installed outboard, is that a short left motor, bought at OEM(or dealer)cost level pricing, is about $1000.00 cheaper, than installing a 25" shaft left-hand motor. So sometimes, its merely done for its cost consideration, due maybe, because the builders cashflow was a little low that particular week. There are a LOT of variables when putting together a brand-new multi-outboard performance boat.

In your experience, do you agree with the two outside spinning the same way and the center opposite? Reason? I am curious because I have been told that a few times but have been in boats with the center and starboard spinning clockwise and the port counter and I have not felt any ill handling. Will the first setup affect docking also?

[FUJIMO]

So many variables. So many personal preferences. Installations/rigging works a bit different on different V-hulls. What it boils down to is: testing, testing, testing. As said before...Is it a pleasure boat triple O/B?...OR a race boat triple O/B? There's no in-between. Then you begin making rigging decisions. Regarding your question. "Generally" speaking, the rotations you mentioned will both work. "Some" boats work a bit better with one, than the other. My personal preference is a left hand in the center. Depending on whether the boats rigged with a setback bracket or not(again race or pleasure?, or on the transom)?, what the installed height is of the bracket...and the engines...and what gearcases(?)...etc., etc., etc...helps determine dock management. High X-demension motors on a high bracket for instance, determines your reverse thrust effectiveness. On a high install like this, most all the water your trying to move is simply slamming into the back of the transom. Works against you as well, when attempting to rotate the boat at static, while attempting docking, etc., while fighting a current or crosswind, or tight confines. Again, SO many rigging variables to consider. First thing to decide. What kind of boat do I want to put together?

[native2]

On both triple engine boats I have had. The center engine could spin a bigger prop because it has a higher X dimension. It may appear lower, but it is actually higher. I would spin 24s on the outers and a 26 in the center. When I spun 24s on all three, the center would spin about 200 rpm more due to more slip and higher x. Also both my trip fountains came spinning "In" Counter was the starboard side. Spinning "in" is not as friendly around the dock, but is usually faster. I have spent many hours with trip engine boats. These are just my observations and opinions.

[Turborr]

I got a 33 powerplay with 300xs's on an armstrong bracket. Boat is for pleasure use. Currently spinning port and starboard spinning outer and the center spinning clockwise. I plan to do some changes in the next few months and that is one of the changes I am thinking of...going the port and starboard the same rotation and the center opposite. Guess I got to do some testing....but with shaft lengths it is not that easy unless you have a spare.

[FUJIMO]

I got a 33 powerplay with 300xs's on an armstrong bracket. Boat is for pleasure use. Currently spinning port and starboard spinning outer and the center spinning clockwise. I plan to do some changes in the next few months and that is one of the changes I am thinking of...going the port and starboard the same rotation and the center opposite. Guess I got to do some testing....but with shaft lengths it is not that easy unless you have a spare.
Was your boat rigged new, with this power?

[Turborr]

No, I rigged it myself. From new it was rigged with early 90's triple 200's.

[FUJIMO]

How did you go about changing the center to centers, versus the 200's?

[Turborr]

I lengthened the bracket 2 1/2 inches each side and mounted the engines as close as possible. There is about 1 1/2" between motors....I cant remember offhand what the centers are. Impressive formula right?