Engine issues used?

[Ryanlion]

I am looking at using a boat on the non tidal thames 99% of the time, but my concern is that a 25' boat with a 175hp outboard petrol engine would not do the engine any favours running at just over tick over most of the time cruising at 5mph maximum.
I could replace the engine but I plan to take her along the cost once a year so it would be hassle/expense swopping engines.
So my question to you experienced thames boaters with bigger engines is am I worrying unnecessarily or

 

[Ryanlion]

Apologies I can't edit my post and ipad has a mind of its: so my point is, should I be concerned about long term engine problems running it at just over tick over?

 

[Whitlock]

This must apply to all the GRP cruisers on the Thames, especially the larger ones, so the answers will be interesting.

 

[Chris_d]

Pretty much not a concern unless your engine has a specific known slow running issue.
Bit of an old boaters tale really with no real evidence, the main source of the myth as far as I can tell are all the old Perkins that send out smoke signals where ever they go, but they were designed in the 60's with old technology and the crap oils that were around then. A modern petrol outboard will be fine.

 

[scottie]

Having a second Italian tune up each year would no doubt sort out the cobwebs

 

[Ryanlion]

Thanks for the reply and it's a modern engine. I am perhaps old school in the sense that even the wife's car I take for a run down the M40 every few weeks to clear the cobwebs because she only uses it for short journeys usually in traffic and I have always believed that engines need to be opened up every now and then.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

If it's a 4 stroke outboard it will be fine..

A 2 stroke won't appreciate lots of slow running.

It is probably a 4 stroke.

And other boaters on the non tidal won't appreciate any cobweb clearing.

 

[Ryanlion]

It is a 4 stroke and reassuring to know it shouldn't be a problem for the engine.

Be assured I have no intention of blasting the cobwebs off it on the non tidal Thames ?

 

[Mark26]

? my 30ft steel cruiser runs on a 62hp inboard diesel which is generally running at about 50% throttle.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

Yes. Similarly my 30ft steel toy trawler runs on two 30hp diesels which are generally operating at about 35% throttle on the non tidal River.

But she won't plane and do 35 knots.

 

[Mark26]

 

[oldgit]

Sounds like blimming good excuse to pop down through Teddington, past the Thames Barrier and give the old girl a good run.
The usual caveats about life jackets/radio and weather etc.
Leave early enough, there and back to Teddington on a single tide. ?

 

[jct1981]

Sounds like blimming good excuse to pop down through Teddington, past the Thames Barrier and give the old girl a good run.
The usual caveats about life jackets/radio and weather etc.
Leave early enough, there and back to Teddington on a single tide. ?

Might struggle until Hammersmith bridge has reopened

 

[oldgit]

H,mm forgot about that.
Still with 175 HP

 

[Windy_Stu]

just a thought....could u not fit a small "wing engine" a 10Hp or something

 

[Outinthedinghy]

It would be very sensible to have an auxiliary like a 6 on a bracket.

Years ago (70s) one of my cousins had a speed boat he was racing around in it somewhere coastal and hit something hard which smashed the lower unit.

He didn't have an auxiliary engine so had to be towed in.