Cruising on single engine 2nd busted

[Momac]

Not a single engine one..........................

Agreed

 

[PaulRainbow]

I spent last week working in a marina on the non-tidal Thames, hundreds and hundreds of planing hull mobos, although i didn't notice any with missing engines

 

[Stemar]

That rather sounds like an opportunity to go diesel electric! Stick a generator on the good engine and drive the props with electric motors. I't the sort of thing I'd love to do but, by the time you've moved the engine to make room for the genny and put the motors in, a pair of new diesels would probably be cheaper.

I can't help wondering if the cheapest alternative wouldn't be to get what you can for the Princess and buy a proper river boat with a couple of sensibly sized engines for cruising at walking pace

 

[dankilb]

I spent last week working in a marina on the non-tidal Thames, hundreds and hundreds of planing hull mobos, although i didn't notice any with missing engines

View attachment 108302

Shepperton by any chance? Always thought it would be a lovely place to live aboard if you needed to be in London - apparently they’re very tight on this though (and necessarily so!)...

Otherwise a bit perplexed by the issue at hand. Isn’t an engine problem on a mobo a bit like needing a new suit of sails or new standing rigging on a raggie - in other words, ‘just one of those things’ you have to deal with?

Sounds a bit harsh but if you own a boat the raison d'être for which is two throbbing great engines - don’t you need to have the skills and/or financial means to repair them?

I’m sure the other users of any inland waterways wouldn’t be too impressed with the limited ability to manoeuvre under a single engine, or the hassle if that remaining source of propulsion were to fail?

 

[PaulRainbow]

Shepperton by any chance? Always thought it would be a lovely place to live aboard if you needed to be in London - apparently they’re very tight on this though (and necessarily so!)...

Well spotted Dan

Nice marina and well situated, just two locks from Teddington and the tidal Thames.

Otherwise a bit perplexed by the issue at hand. Isn’t an engine problem on a mobo a bit like needing a new suit of sails or new standing rigging on a raggie - in other words, ‘just one of those things’ you have to deal with?

Sounds a bit harsh but if you own a boat the raison d'être for which is two throbbing great engines - don’t you need to have the skills and/or financial means to repair them?

I’m sure the other users of any inland waterways wouldn’t be too impressed with the limited ability to manoeuvre under a single engine, or the hassle if that remaining source of propulsion were to fail?

I agree, it's a bizarre idea. So much so, i had to wonder if it's genuine.

 

[Graham376]

Sounds a bit harsh but if you own a boat the raison d'être for which is two throbbing great engines - don’t you need to have the skills and/or financial means to repair them?

We've met a few people who had no idea what the costs of running a boat were when they thought it was a good idea to buy one. Lots of mobos never move as they can't even afford £50 or more per hour to go anywhere. Surprising how many people don't even know how to do the simplest of jobs themselves and then professional costs break the bank and the boat gets dumped. Can't believe the OP can't afford a replacement used engine (or rebuild existing) for similar cost to having bow thruster installed.

 

[pvb]

Otherwise a bit perplexed by the issue at hand. Isn’t an engine problem on a mobo a bit like needing a new suit of sails or new standing rigging on a raggie - in other words, ‘just one of those things’ you have to deal with?

Sounds a bit harsh but if you own a boat the raison d'être for which is two throbbing great engines - don’t you need to have the skills and/or financial means to repair them?

What is perplexing is that the OP apparently bought the boat knowing that the starboard engine was dodgy! Wouldn't most people have considered what might be the worst-case cost of fixing it before agreeing to buy?

 

[Marlin princess]

Thank you all so much for your input and may I say all taken on board. My most humble apologies for such a late follow up.I have to admit I was working this as more of a challenge than a financial burden. I researched the propulsion systems and was wondering if anyone had challenged the theory. I have and cannot believe how well the theory works in reality. By trebling the rudder size and adding a curve, all dimensions worked in theory and then put in place, no change to the prop. I can confirm the boat handles the same as a mid single engine boat. HONESTLY I am amazed truly. Drawback is reverse is different but not a big issue especially with the bow thruster in place. Am just back from a summer on the Rhone and Rhone au Sete to Agde. I am super impressed with this outcome. Please accept my apologies for not keeping you all updated. I am happy to be of assistance to anyone who have questions.

 

[Neeves]

We have a catamaran, 22'6' beam. We have 2 'matching' Diesel engines. When motoring and not in a hurry we run on one engine, as two engines offers a poor return fuel usage, you double consumption for less than double speed.

But run on one engine and you need to offset the rudders - and that reduces efficiency.

Manouvering on one engine in a tight place is a nightmare as the impact of one engine is - immediate. The affect of the rudder only really has impact when you are moving.

Now a bow thruster will mitigate some of these issues - but you need, in tight spaces, to manage, an, engine, the helm and the bow thruster - and this might be in a location suffering both tide (or current) which maybe of a variable direction and wind, which again might be variable. You need to be very confident of your charging and storage facility - as you only have one alternator - and a critical bow thruster (about which I freely admit I have no knowledge).

Twin engined vessels are a dream - you can turn in your own length - so if you are 40' long you can turn in a 40' space (well almost). Manouvering on one engine is heart threatening - in a marina the cost of getting it wrong is huge - I know as we hav e done it, morse cable failure, overheating engine, rope round prop. Finally other vessels will assume you have total manoeuvrability - no-one has a twin engined vessel with only one engine - they will expect you to have a predictable performance - which you will not have if suddenly you need to go into reverse

Insurance might be an issue if you declare one engine and claims might (will?) be rejected if not declared. You may find your access to marinas rejected (if they know - and they soon will know).


Join the real, harsh, world

Sorry - Bite the bullet - look at re-engining.

What about a big O/B.

Jonathan

 

[Mudisox]

As others have said, you do not need or want big engines whilst canal cruising. Two are good both for manoeuvring and also as insurance if one goes Phut. I have two 13.5hp and normally use just the one, at cruising revs to give me 4.5kts. Full throttle on both gives me 7+ kts so copes with adverse current, like on the upper Loire.
In and out of locks however is easier with both.