Firestone
Well-Known Member
What size engine and type of gearbox is necessary to navigate the Thames against a strong flow comfortably???
Engine Size and gearbox
- Thread starter Firestone
- Start date
sailorman
Well-Known Member
Wot size boat
What size engine and type of gearbox is necessary to navigate the Thames against a strong flow comfortably???
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
How long is peice of string? I find about 300hp is comfortable
but have done it with only 1.5hp in full flood, completely depends on the boat.
but have done it with only 1.5hp in full flood, completely depends on the boat.
TrueBlue
Well-Known Member
I can push 20 tons with only 50HP - but not very fast.
As long as the gearbox is suitable for the engine and propellor it's irrelevant
As long as the gearbox is suitable for the engine and propellor it's irrelevant
No Regrets
Well-Known Member
Most inboard-powered boats should already be equipped with at least adequate power for the upper Thames. The slowest boats (Narrow boats IMHO) are more than adequate for the purpose, while many cruisers are grossly over-powered (which can make close quarter manoeuvres a challenge!)
Outboard engines come in many sizes from 2hp to over 200hp, but even a 5hp outboard will power a 15ft cruiser with ease.
Once you go tidal, things are a little different, but careful use of the tides and meticulous planning can make a low powered vessel a feasible proposition all the same. If you get it wrong though, you'll wish you had a bit of power in reserve!!
Outboard engines come in many sizes from 2hp to over 200hp, but even a 5hp outboard will power a 15ft cruiser with ease.
Once you go tidal, things are a little different, but careful use of the tides and meticulous planning can make a low powered vessel a feasible proposition all the same. If you get it wrong though, you'll wish you had a bit of power in reserve!!
Firestone
Well-Known Member
I am looking at an 60ft X 12ft 6" steel barge for liveaboard cruising that can be handled by 1+ crew. What if any benefits are there to having an AZIMUTH 360 deg prop over a shaft driven prop.
Gumpy
Well-Known Member
Personally managed 60x11.6 fine with 120hp shaft drive and NO bow thruster, there are many tricks with warps anchors and weights that can be done.
I think the cost will be out of all proportion to the benefits.
As a caveat I will add that I have been on boats for 50years so do have a modicum of experience but Im still learning
TrueBlue
Well-Known Member
I assume you're thinking of the arrangement used in Valhalla, where I think it's hydraulic and there's more than one (4?), giving the boat the ability to crab sideways. sounds fab! Very expensive. Come to think of it hasn't "the Royal Rowing Barge"got at least a pair fitted?
The advantages are:-
pretty well total manoeverability.
The engine can be placed anywhere and gives more scome for power generation as well
Quietness in motion
The disadvantages are:-
Cost
You'd be in a minority of two (AKAIK) in that size of boat - so not a lot of expertise
The props: will be quite exposed, so you have to be very careful when mooring on the Thames and even more so on the canals. A conventional single screw is protected by the hull / counter overlap and is of a more substantial construction.
Do some googling, but I'm talking about the widebeam version. The NB one was the owner's first attempt.
Bother, I wasn't going to get involved
sailorman
Well-Known Member
Maintenance of the underwater leg, oil seals ect.
the electric ones are in an oil bath but its still electric & under water
the electric ones are in an oil bath but its still electric & under water
mersey
Well-Known Member
I wasn't either, but anyway the Royal Barge (Gloriana) has a Brunton Eco Star.
http://www.autoprop.info/Ecostar/Ecostar.html
Firestone
Well-Known Member
Thanks to all for the shared information. My concern in using an Azimuth would be the limited canal passage of certain broad beam canals and their depth or lack thereof.
No Regrets
Well-Known Member
Stick to tried and trusted..... ;-)
TrueBlue
Well-Known Member
Hydraulic conventional main drive with hydraulic bow thrusters may be a solution (rather than a compromise), though I question wherter the latter is really worth it on canals - given that the track is not that wide.