Spare outboard needed or not ?

[redfreddie]

Hi everyone,

Newbie to boating and just wanted peoples thoughts on something:

I have a rinker 212 and my only real fear is the engine cutting out while at sea, would you have a spare auxiliary outboard on board or is that a bit daft on a 21ft boat ? And if you would any suggestions which one or type ?

Cheers for your help, probably a stupid question but with kids on board i dont want to risk it happening however slight a chance there could be !!

 

[whisper]

Hi and welcome.

Yes, I'd go ahead with a small auxilliary engine - lots of boats of the size of yours have them if they are used at sea.
With regard to size I'd go for the lightest 6 or 8hp engine you can find. This should just about propel you in the direction you want to go, albeit slowly if fighting the elements.

This will only be possible if you can find a place for it to be fitted on a bracket, on the transom. You will need a long shaft engine fitted onto a spring loaded bracket so that it will go far enough down to be effective.
It would also be good if it would run off your main fuel tank as this cuts out the need for a spare, portable one.

Give it a run up before leaving on any trip and you'll then be pretty sure it will start ok in an emergency.

Enjoy yourself.

 

[nonitoo]

A perennial quandry for all single engined MoBos and there is no correct answer. All I can say is that you may well find that it sits unused and quietly rusting on its mount (too long a shaft for dinghy use perhaps) and when you do need it, it shows a lack of interest.

We swithered over this eventually opting not to lash out on an outboard as the diesel should be reliable enough. This Spring the turbo shagged its bearings and we came home at 5 knots (below the turbo cut in) and so even then the main engine got us home.

It really is your call and depends on whether there is a good storage position on the transom and what sort of shaft length is necessary.

Tom

 

[Firefly625]

Hi everyone,

Newbie to boating and just wanted peoples thoughts on something:

I have a rinker 212 and my only real fear is the engine cutting out while at sea, would you have a spare auxiliary outboard on board or is that a bit daft on a 21ft boat ? And if you would any suggestions which one or type ?

Cheers for your help, probably a stupid question but with kids on board i dont want to risk it happening however slight a chance there could be !!

Not a stupid question at all, but I think you already know the answer! Yes you need an Auxiliary engine, otherwise you have to rely on your anchor and either Sea Start or the RNLI... or a passing boat who will tow you to safety...

I to have a 21ft boat and have a Suzuki 6hp Long shaft as an Auxiliary. Reason I chose the Suzuki was because although it is a 4 stroke it is single cylinder so it is 27kg. Many 6 or 8hp are twin cyclinder so are far heavier unless you go for 2-stroke. But being 4 stroke I can plumb into my main fuel tank (although it has a separate internal tank and I do have a 10ltr spare fuel reserve for this in case the reason my main engine stops is fuel related!). My 6hp moves us along fine, around 5 knots happily, athough pleased to say it has not been used in anger yet.

 

[tinkicker0]

Single engine boat at sea? Seems like a no brainer. Get yourself a kicker motor. 6hp - 10hp should do it in my book, just as others have opined.
Some mountings utilise your swimstep, others bolt to the transom.

One thing I will say is don't rely on your main fuel tank for juice, always have a separate supply (essential anyway if you buy a S/Hand premix 2 stroke), cos your main engine could have stopped because of water contamination or a mechanical defect / blockage within the tank itself, which would render your aux motor useless too.

 

[gjgm]

I never bothered with one, though I think its a very personal decision. If you worry, then you wont enjoy your boating, so maybe for you its a good idea.
But if your engine is well serviced etc, there isnt any reason why you should break down.
If you are normally around other boats, the consequences are of course rather more limited than if you are normally tens of miles from anything.. If its just dayboating off the beach, I m less convinced its a real necessity. Dont forget, you regularly have to make sure it works, or its a bit of a waste of time !! And then you need fuel (how much/how far etc)...A VHF and anchor would be far higher up my safety list..

 

[neale]

I never bothered with one, though I think its a very personal decision. If you worry, then you wont enjoy your boating, so maybe for you its a good idea.
But if your engine is well serviced etc, there isnt any reason why you should break down.
If you are normally around other boats, the consequences are of course rather more limited than if you are normally tens of miles from anything.. If its just dayboating off the beach, I m less convinced its a real necessity. Dont forget, you regularly have to make sure it works, or its a bit of a waste of time !! And then you need fuel (how much/how far etc)...A VHF and anchor would be far higher up my safety list..

Have to agree with that. A day boat used in busy, sheltered location does not really need an auxiliary. Anchor and VHF are a definite though, as would be an inshore flare pack. If you are using it in out of he way places where help may not be easy to come by, then I would get one. For a boat of your size 6-8hp would be more than adequate.

 

[Tidnock]

that's the next reduction in my resources I am considering, I was hoping to have the bracket fitted and then store the outboard for if things go wrong, assuming I don't drop it over the transom when I attempt to attach it. I was thinking two stroke as I assume most of them have an integral tank at 6hp and they are lighter.

The reason I don't want to leave it on the bracket is because unless I am mistaken there may be a lot of bouncing around and I that may cause stress cracks around the bracket.

Any thoughts please?

 

[Tidnock]

ECU failed, water in fuel, thrown alternator belt, fouled propeller, faulty fuel gauge, raw water pump inoperative, non of which are particularly foreseeable or perhaps due to poor maintenance. You have taken a mid week day off work in early or late season and you are adrift and starting to feel sick from trying to mend the engine, assuming your not drifting on to rocks, shall you, sit here and wait for the occasional passer by, or shall I put up a PAN PAN and cause a right embarasing fuss, at that moment you will wish you had fitted that AUX and £5-600 on a used outboard will look like peanuts

 

[Firefly625]

that's the next reduction in my resources I am considering, I was hoping to have the bracket fitted and then store the outboard for if things go wrong, assuming I don't drop it over the transom when I attempt to attach it. I was thinking two stroke as I assume most of them have an integral tank at 6hp and they are lighter.

The reason I don't want to leave it on the bracket is because unless I am mistaken there may be a lot of bouncing around and I that may cause stress cracks around the bracket.

Any thoughts please?

I think all 6hp have internal tanks, there is fair mention of contaminated fuels so MUST use internal tanks, but its quite easy to ascertain why you main engine has gone awol, if its because you've whacked a massive log and taken out you outdrive then its safe to say you don't have a fuel problem.... but I always have a 10lt spare can of fuel for it anyway.

As for brackets, the bracket I use has a bit of play in it which sort of acts as a bounce suppressor for the auxiliary as even though on my boat in rough weather we do bounce around a bit the auxiliary is fine and certainly no stress cracks. The bracket is fitted onto a wood plate between it and the boat, which must give it added strength (was fitted by boatyard who have fitted these brackets on many occasions). Also the stern of a boat does move less than the bow... so it has never really concerned me.

Certainly the heavier the engine the greater the risk of issues, but these auxiliary brackets are all rated to engine size, the heavier the engine the beefier the bracket!

 

[Firefly625]

ECU failed, water in fuel, thrown alternator belt, fouled propeller, faulty fuel gauge, raw water pump inoperative, non of which are particularly foreseeable or perhaps due to poor maintenance. You have taken a mid week day off work in early or late season and you are adrift and starting to feel sick from trying to mend the engine, assuming your not drifting on to rocks, shall you, sit here and wait for the occasional passer by, or shall I put up a PAN PAN and cause a right embarasing fuss, at that moment you will wish you had fitted that AUX and £5-600 on a used outboard will look like peanuts

I'm with you.. totally agree.

 

[gjgm]

as I ve said, if worry is spoiling your enjoyment, fit one. The hobby is supposed to be about having fun.
Yes, things can go wrong in boats. Where is H1 safety equipment list when you need it !!

 

[redfreddie]

Thanks for all your advice, much appreciated. Most, if not all, of my time on the water will be along the coast, I wouldnt want to go further out as a novice anyway and with a 21ft boat probably not a good idea anyway. I think I'll save that for a time in the future when i can move on to a bigger boat

Out of interest does anyone with a 21ft boat go further out to sea ? I'm not totally sure where it would get to and what sort of seas it could handle !

Learning all the time

 

[Firefly625]

as I ve said, if worry is spoiling your enjoyment, fit one. The hobby is supposed to be about having fun.
Yes, things can go wrong in boats. Where is H1 safety equipment list when you need it !!

.... its not so much about worrying about it, its just being prepared for the unexpected.... (proper boy scout me!)

 

[neale]

Thanks for all your advice, much appreciated. Most, if not all, of my time on the water will be along the coast, I wouldnt want to go further out as a novice anyway and with a 21ft boat probably not a good idea anyway. I think I'll save that for a time in the future when i can move on to a bigger boat

Out of interest does anyone with a 21ft boat go further out to sea ? I'm not totally sure where it would get to and what sort of seas it could handle !

Learning all the time

Size isn't everything!!!

I have been across the Channel many times in a 21ft boat, but it was a RIB so not quite the same. I have taken a 24ft Bayliner from Essex to Guernsey and back but it needed decent weather.

Get used to the boat and learn what she is comfortable in. With the right kit, weather and planning, the only thing dictating your distance is fuel.

 

[Firefly625]

Thanks for all your advice, much appreciated. Most, if not all, of my time on the water will be along the coast, I wouldnt want to go further out as a novice anyway and with a 21ft boat probably not a good idea anyway. I think I'll save that for a time in the future when i can move on to a bigger boat

Out of interest does anyone with a 21ft boat go further out to sea ? I'm not totally sure where it would get to and what sort of seas it could handle !

Learning all the time

Your boat is probably a Cat C, therefore recommended use upto F6 and 2m waves and for inshore work..... there's a guy on here with a MF625 been round Britain in his. There's a club that regularly goes across the channel in sub 7m boats, from ribs to cuddy cruisers and all sorts... all organised and in fair weather and all as a group for safety... always sounded quite a bit of fun! However it always annoys the French CG as there is a rule in France on minimum sizes of boats not being allowed over certain distances....

Get used to your boat, the more you use it the more you will know what you are comfortable with, it will be your comfort that will probably give up quicker than your boats capabilities... certainly to start with.

 

[Tidnock]

Thanks for all your advice, much appreciated. Most, if not all, of my time on the water will be along the coast, I wouldnt want to go further out as a novice anyway and with a 21ft boat probably not a good idea anyway. I think I'll save that for a time in the future when i can move on to a bigger boat

Out of interest does anyone with a 21ft boat go further out to sea ? I'm not totally sure where it would get to and what sort of seas it could handle !

Learning all the time

Frankly, where my boat is, I would want to be as far from land as possible, within reason that is, if my engine packs up. I dont want to scaremonger or create unnecessary worry but if you are coastal you are perhaps nearer to danger, nearer to help granted, but its all down to timing

 

[gjgm]

the boat will almost certainly last longer than your courage ! However, the downside of getting the fear factor wrong with your crew is that you spend the rest of your boating life boating on your own.
There is no "how far" answer.. its your judgement, and as you intimate, the more experienced you become, the better judge you become.
While there is some sense of achievement the first time you are well out of sight of land, being in sight of land provides a much more interesting scenery

 

[tinkicker0]

Since you are a newbie I will also include the following:
Always have a standby conventional alcohol compass and charts of the area on your boat as well as a GPS if going far out to sea. Fog can roll in and GPS can fail.

A RYA powerboat level 2 coastal endorsement wouldn't go amiss either.

 

[Infamous]

i have an 18ft boat similar to your Rinker and i have a 7.5hp aux engine - so glad i did as it was used the very 1st time i took the boat out!! i now wont go anywhere unless that little Honda is on the back, "just in case". its out the way, has its own fuel tank fitted under 1 of my rear seats, and takes 5 mins to plug in and start once a week.

on the other hand the guy who got me into boating has a Rinker 212 with a large V8 an no aux engine. he's never needed 1 and thinks an aux engine on the back of his boat looks rather ugly.

also as regards to distance, the above Rinker regularly goes over the IOW without a problem. the person i got my boat from goes from Christchurch to IOW in a 9ft dory. i have an 18ft cuddy with a good engine and good aux engine, vhf, chart plotter and so on - i wont go to the IOW just yet. my boat will handle it no problem, but as usual the machine can outclass the man. im hoping that the IOW trip will be the climax to my 1st season, and by then my experience should be able to handle the journey without any problems.