Help on boat choice

[Fenlander]

Hello folks just found this forum and it seems quite lively so perhaps we can get a few answers to our questions.
Looking for our first cabin cruiser around 30 - 35 ft and most of the ones we are looking at have twin engines one or two over 100hp as part of our use would be on a river with a speed limit can I just use one engine? and would it give me any steering problems?

 

[mainshiptom]

Having two eninges is great and very economical at low speeds !

You always have a peace of mind with two engines in case of a breakdown, not all boats can use one its a trial and error? it depends if you have power steering on one engine? or hot water ?

 

[Sultans_Kapitein]

would be on a river with a speed limit

Don't forget that although there is a speed limit the river also has its own 'speed' so if the ebbtide is flowing at say 4knots and you are going against the flow if the speed limit is 6knots you would need to be travelling at 11knots to break the speed limit. Also if your craft can only manage 7kts and the flow is 8kts you will be going backwards!
So two engines is good! and as other poster has already said sometimes the power take off for the steering is driven by one of the engines, and often the hot water is produced by the other!? So have a good look, try to find a friendly marina bar, and join them to get some local info. Also maybe get the lowdown on some of the boats you are looking at.
Either way, good luck and don't be put off.

Mal

 

[David of Essex]

I have Merry Fisher 925 with single engine, have used it on river for one season and found it ideal. Don't forget one engine half the running cost.
David

 

[Sultans_Kapitein]

Don't forget one engine half the running cost.
David

Very true, cannot argue with that and on a river in England you should be be safe enough should that one, single, lonely engine fail

Mal

 

[hlb]

Theres a big difference between a sea boat and a river boat. Most sea boats, especially on twin shafts, will be fine on a river, you have much more control with two engines. Yes you can use one engine, but it may not handle well as rudders tend to be small and work best at high speed.

Taking cost and maintainance on board, concider buying a river boat.

 

[Cliveshep]

I've had single screw boats for years on the rivers and never had a problem. I had an old dutch steel with a Perkins 4.107 on the Great Ouse on a tidal mooring at Earith, regularly used to go down the tidal bit to Denver as quicker than around via Ely and waiting to lock out of the sluice. She'd punch the tide fine but it was better on the tidal bit to plan to go with the flow as it were. On the river, unless in full spate no problems but if in spate then only a fool would venture out anyway!

 

[Fenlander]

Thanks for the info all, just seen a 30ft cat with 12hp engines, now that would be economical to run.

 

[Cliveshep]

Can just imagine you with a 30ft cat trying to get through the lock at Earith, bits of boat and mast drifting off, or maybe one of the Nene or middle level locks!

 

[Dave_Seager]

I run a Princess 32 with twin engines on the River Thames.

I have tried running on one engine on the non-tidal reaches but would not recommend it personally. On our set up one engine is noisier than two as it runs at higher revolutions to achieve the same speed. Also, I always want both engines when entering or leaving a lock or mooring for better control.

 

[Renegade_Master]

Tahoe I remember seeing her on the Thames Dave. Look out for my old Princess 32 assuming shes still on the Thames, shes called "Whatever next"