Inboard Outboard petrol diesel dilemma !

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Dayskipp3r

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5 Apr 2007
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Nice new diesel for my 24ft wooden sloop...

At some stage it is a certainity to snag the prop or have a breakdown... hate the thought of having petrol on board and carrying an outboard as back up...Is this the norm though ?

Day sailing only..

Any advice most welcome.
 
New and then well maintained Diesels are ultra reliable so you don't need a backup for that reason. If you are in an area of high fouling from pot ropes etc then fit a proper rope cutter.
 
As a sailboat you can do without an engine the sails are an "E" engine!

If your a classic boat then a traditional inboard is great!I also like an engine they can be useful.

If your not classic then an OB is a good option.The prop can be cleared with ease & if the engine gives trouble just loosen the fixing screws and overboard replace with another

Im happy that my old petrol inboard is now renovated and in use.I still keep a long shaft seagul aboard for the tender!!
 
No: single engined motorboats of this sort of size often carry an outboard as back up as they have no other means of propulsion, but sailing boats have - er, sails. As Tranona says, look after your diesel, and it will look after you. If something did go wrong, you can still sail home, and you could carry a hand held VHF for emergency use.

I have sailed for nearly 40 years and have only twice had a problem I could not resolve for myself unaided - one whas when the entire boat got enmeshed in a large fishing net round rudder, keels propellor and everything. An outboard would not have helped as it too would have promptly become entangled and the rudder was locked hard over anyway! The other was a child having severe asthma at sea and needing urgent medical help.

That is not to say of course, that I have never had any problems or have always got back at the time I intended....
 
Thanks for the response..I sail as a rule...but with the tides in chichester harbour and kids on board you can be sure of the wind dropping and a battle to get home under sail.. !

I had a recent experience on my old boat ( outboard only )where the fuel fouled and the old girl being a bit on the heavy side couldn't make any headway in a dying wind..Big glass boats ghosting past me ...! ended on the mud accepting a tow from a friendly fishing boat ..Nearly pulled the transome off !

I think my question has been answered...look after your engine and if the wind dies and the engine fails its not the end of the world !

Thank you.
 
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