Cross Channel, Single Engine

[rickp]

Yes, EDC engines do seem to stop more often than mechanical controlled ones - so like Duncan, I'd never have an EDC engine in a single engined boat. If you're going single engine - then beef other things up (multiple fuel filters with alarms, so I can change over without stopping the engine), decent overheat sensors on the exhaust, prop protected by a keel etc. etc.

Of course, the only boat I've towed back in was twin engined, both stopped....

Rick

 

[duncan]

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Take a look at the post "engine died!!", just been posted.

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that boat should never have left it's berth. It had already exhibited intermittent electrical problems and had EDC engines. recipie for what happened and a great example of 'when shouldn't I plan to do a long trip in my boat....?'

I didn't post to the thread as I didn't feel this to be a particulary constructive comment to the situation they are trying to resolve - however here it's relevant.

 

[oceanfroggie]

[ QUOTE ]
As a matter of interest, is it possible to fit an emergency outboard or do the bathing platforms etc prevent it.

[/ QUOTE ]Depends on the design and size of boat. Boats with a flat transom can have an aux outboard motor fitted via a bracket. It looks a bit more difficult to do on a moulded GRP bathing platform, but a decent shipwright should be able to fabricate and fit a custom bracket.

 

[Its_Only_Money]

[ QUOTE ]
That said you can't argue with the maths, if there's a 1 in 100 chance of one engine letting you down, there's a 1 in 10,000 chance of two doing so (fuel problems aside). I know which odds i'd prefer.

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But by the same maths a 1 in 50 chance (ie twice as likely) that one of the engines in a twin setup will let you down - many people forget that.

So twice as likely that the engine note will change as one engine dies but 1 in 10,000 that you'll get to silence as you would in a single.

That said all the comments about a well maintained single, fuel source etc etc make the maths more difficult...

 

[Whitelighter]