Third engine

[Clash]

You could probably get away with a 3kw one, and if you’re fitting a generator, the battery can be small.

Still four grand. How does that compare to the other options I wonder?

Also some ancillary equipment probably required. Controller, cabling and a battery charger. But it's a nice idea. Especially if you can charge it cheaply.

 

[ianc1200]

Something someone else mentioned, a second set of smaller props. I think the practicality of changing (say after a North Sea crossing) would be two problematic, but would this be an alternative solution?

 

[harvey38]

Something someone else mentioned, a second set of smaller props. I think the practicality of changing (say after a North Sea crossing) would be two problematic, but would this be an alternative solution?

Smaller or less pitch would be a significantly easier solution.

By the way, you won't make the Upper Thames with a 38' as there is insufficient depth, we were going to base ours on the Thames but given how badly the river is managed, we stayed in Ramsgate.

 

[ianc1200]

By the way, you won't make the Upper Thames with a 38' as there is insufficient depth, we were going to base ours on the Thames but given how badly the river is managed, we stayed in Ramsgate.

Unless things have deteriorated in last couple of years depth will be no problem - we based our estuary cruiser (3' 6" draft) at Hurley and got up to Lechlade without issues. The failing locks, & liveaboards taking over the meadows/visitor moorings were important factors in deciding to leave the Thames. Hopefully our elderly dog will live a few more years so it will be East Coast/Broads/Thames for a couple of seasons yet.

 

[harvey38]

Unless things have deteriorated in last couple of years depth will be no problem - we based our estuary cruiser (3' 6" draft) at Hurley and got up to Lechlade without issues. The failing locks, & liveaboards taking over the meadows/visitor moorings were important factors in deciding to leave the Thames. Hopefully our elderly dog will live a few more years so it will be East Coast/Broads/Thames for a couple of seasons yet.

I'd love to take ours back up our old cruising ground (Abingdon) but they didn't have the available draught and even our Freeman 26 caught the bottom a few times. As you say, a lot of mooring hogging so that can limit mooring choices even further but I can still dream of overnighting on the Cliveden stretch in Autumn time aboard Tolerance

 

[Alicatt]

Something someone else mentioned, a second set of smaller props. I think the practicality of changing (say after a North Sea crossing) would be two problematic, but would this be an alternative solution?

When you look at the price of two new propellors the electric motor looks to be not so bad in price, to replace one screw and balance the other came to a price of €4110 last February, with the screw it's self costing €1792 +VAT

 

[ianc1200]

Another thought from a friend at the marina this morning - instead of one 20hp electric pods, two 10hp pods, perhaps with regen possibilities.

 

[Plum]

Another thought from a friend at the marina this morning - instead of one 20hp electric pods, two 10hp pods, perhaps with regen possibilities.

Any sort of fixed pod, pods or shafts added below the waterline will add drag and affect your cruising speed/fuel-consumption when you are not on the inland waterways and limit the resaleability of the boat. Can your gearboxes be retrofitted with trolling valves? Far simpler. i. e. What is a Marine Transmission Trolling Valve? and trolling valve ?

 

[dunedin]

Another thought from a friend at the marina this morning - instead of one 20hp electric pods, two 10hp pods, perhaps with regen possibilities.

10kW more than enough for pootling slowly on canals etc (with big diesels also on board for tougher demand). And regeneration capability important on sailing boat but not on a motor yacht.

 

[ianc1200]

Any sort of fixed pod, pods or shafts added below the waterline will add drag and affect your cruising speed/fuel-consumption when you are not on the inland waterways and limit the resaleability of the boat. Can your gearboxes be retrofitted with trolling valves? Far simpler. i. e. What is a Marine Transmission Trolling Valve? and trolling valve ?

Thanks Colin, good point. I was looking at a similar gearbox (Hurth 800 A2) which had one of these trolling valves, need to ivestigate more.

 

[ianc1200]

I'd love to take ours back up our old cruising ground (Abingdon) but they didn't have the available draught and even our Freeman 26 caught the bottom a few times. As you say, a lot of mooring hogging so that can limit mooring choices even further but I can still dream of overnighting on the Cliveden stretch in Autumn time aboard Tolerance

Our plan is to take the 38 up to Abingdon this year, I expect to Oxford too, but then turn back without stopping. The town moorings below the bridge are 2m deep at least, so I'm suspecting it's the marina you're thinking of. Best moorings are on the lock island, with electricity, but usually full.

 

[Plum]

Thanks Colin, good point. I was looking at a similar gearbox (Hurth 800 A2) which had one of these trolling valves, need to ivestigate more.

With trolling valves it also means that when using them you can instantly deactivate them from the helm so you then have instant full power to stop quickly. If you have small auxiliary power and wanted to stop quickly you would have to start both diesels first.

 

[Wavey]

Some of the wartime MTBs had a third engine fitted between the two Packard Merlins. I believe it was normally a Ford V8.

This was to be used when close in to an enemy shore in order to be as silent as possible.

Excuse the thread drift but my dad was coxswain of a MTB during the war and the third engine could be rigged for silent running. It was used when taking boffins over to Normandy to go ashore on moonless nights to check the suitably of the beaches.