paul salliss
Well-Known Member
Has anyone seen any of these "foiling motorboats" out and about yet, they look very odd to me, but there seems to be more of them on trial in the magazines? Has anyone been on one??
Crossing channel in single engine boat
- Thread starter Nick120180
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MapisM
Well-Known Member
I have a funny feeling that what I said have something to see with your irritation.
If so, well, don't you think that jumping into the conclusion that whoever suggests to consider a small o/b qualify as "always worrying people" is an even more irritating thing to say? Fair and square?
blampied
Well-Known Member
One engine No problem at all,
you just check the weather forecast before you leave.
I have a 25 year old single engine 33 ft motor boat which I have taken to Africa and back
you just check the weather forecast before you leave.
I have a 25 year old single engine 33 ft motor boat which I have taken to Africa and back
paul salliss
Well-Known Member
That sounds very exciting. What a trip.
I am off to Africa later this year as I am doing a motorcycle off road race in the Sahara desert on a KTM 450 rally bike. If it all goes wrong it's quite simple, lay down in the sand and hit the beacon mounted on the handlebar and a helicopter comes out and gets you. Have fun people
ari
Well-Known Member
Provided it doesn't stop...
jrudge
Well-Known Member
This is probably a repeat of some of the above but if it is a boat known to you that is properly serviced and has enough fuel / oil etc then generally it is not likely to stop.
In 11 years I have had one failure and that was the drive belt on a KAD 300. The damn thing went all the time. Now i know what i know cleaning with Acetone would probably have fixed it. But this was - at least for my engine - a known issue ( I had 2 engines), so would meet the definition of unreliable.
As long as the weather is not terrible the very worse that is likely to happen is you call for a tow. Not a desirable outcome I accept, and scary at the time - but the likelihood of it occurring in a well maintained boat is low.
Single engines and lighter hulls will i suspect be more popular over time. Just like twin engine aircraft - they are worth a lot less than single engines - more than twice the agro for a marginal improvement in performance and safety ( many feel they are more dangerous if you are not experienced and alert to an engine failure).
Others on here will know the numbers far better, but if you dump an engine you can also dump a load of fuel = a lot less weight. There is of course a cross over point somewhere where the thing just wont get on the plane, but the market sadly keeps wanting twin engine boats.
In 11 years I have had one failure and that was the drive belt on a KAD 300. The damn thing went all the time. Now i know what i know cleaning with Acetone would probably have fixed it. But this was - at least for my engine - a known issue ( I had 2 engines), so would meet the definition of unreliable.
As long as the weather is not terrible the very worse that is likely to happen is you call for a tow. Not a desirable outcome I accept, and scary at the time - but the likelihood of it occurring in a well maintained boat is low.
Single engines and lighter hulls will i suspect be more popular over time. Just like twin engine aircraft - they are worth a lot less than single engines - more than twice the agro for a marginal improvement in performance and safety ( many feel they are more dangerous if you are not experienced and alert to an engine failure).
Others on here will know the numbers far better, but if you dump an engine you can also dump a load of fuel = a lot less weight. There is of course a cross over point somewhere where the thing just wont get on the plane, but the market sadly keeps wanting twin engine boats.
iapetus
Active Member
In one recent Volvo thread, I had listed the various engine issues I faced. I totally forgot the time the starboard actuator failed during a passage to Corsica. We were idling 40nm from Antibes watching a pack of dolphins AND a large whale, and when I decided to move on the sb engine stopped with the dreaded Volvo beep. As it wouldn't start again, we tried to cruise with only one engine, but it's close to impossible on my boat (and, I suspect, on most twin-screw boats as well).
We finally could trace the problem down to a stuck actuator, for which there's a manual workaround listed somewhere in the user's manual. It allowed us to use the engine in forward, reach the coast, stop the offending engine, and elegantly crash into the quai d'honneur using the port engine alone.
Note: the engine is serviced each year by a reputable Volvo agent, but it seems Murphy's law still applies at sea
We finally could trace the problem down to a stuck actuator, for which there's a manual workaround listed somewhere in the user's manual. It allowed us to use the engine in forward, reach the coast, stop the offending engine, and elegantly crash into the quai d'honneur using the port engine alone.
Note: the engine is serviced each year by a reputable Volvo agent, but it seems Murphy's law still applies at sea
Nigelpickin
Well-Known Member
Well I guess that some folk are worriers and some are irritable, it takes all sorts...
Re the OP - the answer to the question really depends on how the most risk adverse member of your crew feels about the crossing. People who worry do not think about probability - they focus on possibility and of course that creates a whole world of worry and angst for them, regardless of whether or not an accident or mishap occurs.
We've crossed the channel maybe 11 times and the very first time we were far more nervous than we were the 11th crossing, this is of course because our confidence in ourselves and our kit grew over time, possibility gave way to probability, or if you like we became a little more rational.
So based on the OPs kit list and boat spec of course the more experienced here might think that there's a degree of overkill going on but its a subjective privilege to be worried and for a first timer a very sensible instinct, in my opinion....
The cost of a get out of jail motor, mount and a separate 25lt fuel caddy might be well worth it versus 3 to 7 hours of worry during the crossing and its not even going to depreciate in value like the rest of the boat!
FWIW, our first crossing we checked in with Falmouth Coast Guard, had a shore contact waiting for our arrival call, tested our radio in the shipping channel, used our AIS actively plotting CPA's, kept our life raft free in the cockpit, lifejackets ready at the helm, kept radar running and overlaid on the plotter and called our Land Support as soon as we arrived on the other side - and that's exactly the procedure we used for our 11th crossing.
So I guess that Ann and I are worriers but preparation and an eye on the possibility of danger greatly reduce the probability of it in my mind at least
It'd be great to hear how the OP gets on....
paul salliss
Well-Known Member
Well I guess that some folk are worriers and some are irritable, it takes all sorts...
Re the OP - the answer to the question really depends on how the most risk adverse member of your crew feels about the crossing. People who worry do not think about probability - they focus on possibility and of course that creates a whole world of worry and angst for them, regardless of whether or not an accident or mishap occurs.
We've crossed the channel maybe 11 times and the very first time we were far more nervous than we were the 11th crossing, this is of course because our confidence in ourselves and our kit grew over time, possibility gave way to probability, or if you like we became a little more rational.
So based on the OPs kit list and boat spec of course the more experienced here might think that there's a degree of overkill going on but its a subjective privilege to be worried and for a first timer a very sensible instinct, in my opinion....
The cost of a get out of jail motor, mount and a separate 25lt fuel caddy might be well worth it versus 3 to 7 hours of worry during the crossing and its not even going to depreciate in value like the rest of the boat!
FWIW, our first crossing we checked in with Falmouth Coast Guard, had a shore contact waiting for our arrival call, tested our radio in the shipping channel, used our AIS actively plotting CPA's, kept our life raft free in the cockpit, lifejackets ready at the helm, kept radar running and overlaid on the plotter and called our Land Support as soon as we arrived on the other side - and that's exactly the procedure we used for our 11th crossing.
So I guess that Ann and I are worriers but preparation and an eye on the possibility of danger greatly reduce the probability of it in my mind at least
It'd be great to hear how the OP gets on....
You have got me all wrong I am not talking about people like you. Let me explain from a non boaty perspective. I have a relative that has worked in corporate world all her life and she is sick of it. She has for years dreamt of starting her own business. She has a plan and a good base to start from, but everyone ( bar me) is being very well meaning but saying have you thought of this, and what if this goes wrong etc etc and placing real doubt in her head. My view is that she will nail it on her own, she is bright charismatic and knows her stuff and more importantly well connected. So gues what I am "go for it" and that comes through in my posts on this forum. . Not because I am right or wrong ( believe me when I say there are far more intelligent people than me on here), it's because I am passionate about getting everything out of this life while you can and a guy who wants to cross the sodding channel won't be helped on his way buy 20 very well meaning people saying "hold fire, have you thought of this" he is no doubt a bright and good man with a plan, so sometimes in life you have to go for it and when it comes to boating you know what it will probably be just fine and his sense of achievement will be great when he reaches France. Now any minute now some smart arse will pop and and destroy this post but guess what I could not give a toss coz life is too short to be sat about talking yourself out of things. I am more interested in the bloke that just took his single engined boat to bloody Africa!! That's a story actually worth talking about
Nigelpickin
Well-Known Member
Understood Paul, I take your point however.... caution, preparation and risk are not mutually exclusive, indeed they go hand in hand - my advice to the op would be - ask for advice, check everything, create every reasonable redundancy, check everything again - then go for it!
I’m sure my advice would be the same for your relative - having watched the Donald Crowhurst documentary, ‘Deep Water’ last night I’d have one more check just for good measure!
Elessar
Well-Known Member
I've done it plenty of times in a single engine boat. Without half the precautions you've taken. I've only had problems crossing twice. Both in a twin, and both fuel related which tends to affect both engines as even with separate tanks, we tend to fill both from the same shoreside tank.
In a boat your size, the weather is your most likely cause of trouble, not your engine. I'd happily do it it the right conditions.
sorabain
Well-Known Member
Beware the converse, or "familiarity risk", where you can go too far and start failing to see unnecessary risk-taking when doing something that has become familiar.
Interesting to use the term "overkill" when referring to carrying safety gear
A lot of survivorship bias going on. Those who "went for it" and failed and it went uncomfortably wrong may have given up boating altogether after getting a scare and are not here to relate to their experiences, whereas those who "went for it" and succeeded are. It may be unlikely that you'll fail and lose your life, but you can fail and scare yourself (or your "crew") out of boating.
Nigelpickin
Well-Known Member
Beware the converse, or "familiarity risk", where you can go too far and start failing to see unnecessary risk-taking when doing something that has become familiar.
Interesting to use the term "overkill" when referring to carrying safety gear
A lot of survivorship bias going on. Those who "went for it" and failed and it went uncomfortably wrong may have given up boating altogether after getting a scare and are not here to relate to their experiences, whereas those who "went for it" and succeeded are. It may be unlikely that you'll fail and lose your life, but you can fail and scare yourself (or your "crew") out of boating.
I agree with all of the above and it was the point that I was trying to make, probably not that well!
oceanfroggie
Well-Known Member
One well maintained engine is more reliable than two poorly maintained engines.
Bare in mind the entire fishing fleet in the north sea and Atlantic are single engine. Having a wing engine or small auxiliary might give you added piece of mind. As others have said pick suitable weather and a single engine is absolutely fine for such a trip.
Bare in mind the entire fishing fleet in the north sea and Atlantic are single engine. Having a wing engine or small auxiliary might give you added piece of mind. As others have said pick suitable weather and a single engine is absolutely fine for such a trip.
paul salliss
Well-Known Member
Exactly and well said that man. I am going to exit this as it's got boring but the OP needs to avoid negative people as they have a problem for every solution.
Portofino
Well-Known Member
“gets you “ it sure will to facilitate the “ gets you “ take plenty of $US or Krugerrand s
Back to the topic
Single engine only is no reason to stop you going where you want Channel wise .
We,ve motored back a few times in a yacht for the usual rag n stick reasons - wind wrong dir to make the eta , no wind ,
Never thought for an instant we should have had two engines .
Safety gear is another Q - each to there own on that .
However In this day and age with tech , and blame culture should there be somthing untoward happen ,then these days I have a tendancy to move the swing om ometer to the RHS ( right hand side mods
) of the notional / real list of kit .As you pick up sea miles and bad weather experience I think one gets more risk averse ,well I have .As opposed to complacent others will disagree no doubt?
Your list of safety kit looks pretty comprehensive btw .:encouragement: buts that’s not what you asking .
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sorabain
Well-Known Member
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac? - George Carlin
Same seems to apply to general risk aversion.
RupertW
Well-Known Member
“gets you “ it sure will to facilitate the “ gets you “ take plenty of $US or Krugerrand s
Back to the topic
Single engine only is no reason to stop you going where you want Channel wise .
We,ve motored back a few times in a yacht for the usual rag n stick reasons - wind wrong dir to make the eta , no wind ,
Never thought for an instant we should have had two engines .
Safety gear is another Q - each to there own on that .
However In this day and age with tech , and blame culture should there be somthing untoward happen ,then these days I have a tendancy to move the swing om ometer to the RHS ( right hand side mods
As you pick up sea miles and bad weather experience I think one gets more risk averse ,well I have .As opposed to complacent others will disagree no doubt?
Your list of safety kit looks pretty comprehensive btw .:encouragement: buts that’s not what you asking .
I don't think you can compare a sailing boat with one engine to a motorboard with one engine - almost all the time you can do a knot (or much more) sailing if the engine dies, so it is the equivalent of a second motor. Well, that's always reassured me.
I admit I did feel nervous relying only on our engine (as well as truly angry) when we arrived for our fortnight summer cruise to find that another boat had clashed masts with us somehow in our marina berth then left having kinked our mast which meant we could not sail again that season. But we still did a 250 mile trip under engine in the fortnight as logic says that an engine which was well serviced and had never given us trouble in 5 years was unlikely to break down.
alant
Well-Known Member
Always best to try to berth bow towards next boat stern, when moored alongside another yacht, prevents chances of mast clashing & preserves privacy in cockpit. However, many owners are like lemmings & do what the next guy has done.
alant
Well-Known Member
I delivered a single engined motor boat from Le Havre - Milford Haven & return journey some years later, without any 'back up engine', so why such concern if everything is serviced & maintained properly?
