One Outdrive or Two

[dave1dpc]

I have seen the question asked if it is economical to troll on one engine or the other.
If with outdrives the stopped engine outdrive can be lifted to limit drag. Where power steering is via say the starboard engine there is no difficultly in steering. With the port engine running only i have found that easy steering can be possible via the auto helm obviously only making small inputs. Over longer distance using alternate engines it will balance any time run meters. I would be interested to learn if there is any damaging problems using this method of control as i once used this method in emergency running back from devon to the hamble.

 

[Momac]

I have only used one engine a couple of times for short distances due to overheat . I didn't raise the leg with the stopped engine. I would have thought possibly greater and almost certainly no less drag with the leg raised since the leg isn't out of the water in the raised position.

 

[James jameson]

Run with the drives down. Lift one and it sits tight in the transom plate which will stress all the steering gear.
If you’ve got power steering you’ll notice when that engines not in use

 

[Momac]

... it is economical to troll on one engine or the other.

I would also say if you are going to do that regularly for economy reasons it would be better to have a single engined boat.

 

[Alicatt]

For the last few km to our haven along the canal the speed limit is 8km/h which the boat exceeds slightly when both engines are ahead at idle, on one engine it drops to 7.6km/h or there about, so I alternate between the engines using the bends in the canal as the change over points to go from one engine to the other, it takes about 3/4 of the steering to compensate for the offset thrust and drag of the other propellor. The manufacturer does not recommend using one engine and the other in neutral for extended periods as there is no oil flow in the gearbox when the propellor is turning the gears and not the engine, the gearboxes are hydraulically operated, sort of like in an automatic car. Also they don't recommend shutting one engine down as the raw water pump from the engine feeds water to the cutlass bearing to keep it sealed, lubricated and cool.

At least our boat is not as bad as the local sea cadets boat, it hugely exceeds the speed limits and they are in and out of gear a lot to keep the speed down, their boat is an ex-navy fast patrol boat.

 

[tico]

Helps if you lower the opposite trim tab to the stationary engine/leg.... gives more equal drag and helps to keep things straight

 

[Seastoke]

If you leave the leg down , on the side is not running , will the prop turn in the water. Are you using it like that for fishing.

 

[Alicatt]

If you leave the leg down , on the side is not running , will the prop turn in the water. Are you using it like that for fishing.

Mine does, I had a look see and you can see the shaft turn as you go along.