BoatBanter.com - Running on one engine

On Sun, 24 May 2015 20:06:54 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 5/24/2015 5:51 PM, Wayne.B wrote:
On Sun, 24 May 2015 08:54:52 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 23 May 2015 09:42:08 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Sat, 23 May 2015 06:55:21 -0400, wrote:

If you think you need the kicker for a backup, that may be another
issue but it is just going to get old and rot on that bracket. It is
cheaper to sell it and buy a tow pirate contract

===

I agree if you do all of your boating within cell phone or VHF range.
But if you go 40 or 50 miles offshore, twin engines of some sort have
a lot to recommend them.

This is where the discussion of the prop deal came about, on the real
boat board. Trying to idle home from 50 miles out or half way to the
Bahamas is not that attractive. That is where carrying a set of spare
props with "single prop pitch" came in but it would need to be slick
calm to be able to swap props at sea. On an inboard you are diving.
If I was going to do this I might look into that system with the
standard hub and replaceable blades for my spare.

===

None of the alternatives are real good if you lose an engine in the
Gulf Stream. You don't really need to run at idle speed however, it
will just seem that way if you're used to running on plane at 25 kts
or so. You can actually cover quite a bit of ground at 7 or 8 kts if
you have the patience to tough it out. Don't ask me how I know. :-)

That would be a great day of cruising on the Grand Banks we had. :-)

I have to admit though, after operating boats that could cruise at three
times the speed of the GB, I found it's 6-7 knot cruise to be very
relaxing. You just plan your trips for what it can do. The other nice
thing is it could go from Boston to Fernandina Beach, FL on one tank of
fuel.

===

Yes, we're in the process of completing an 800 nautical mile loop
through the Bahamas, average speed about 8 1/2 knots, all done on one
tank of fuel. And it is relaxing on a nice day. Once you're in
open water just set the autopilot and the radar alarm, sit back, and
let the boat take you for a ride. To quote a relevant line from the
book "Perfect Storm," "No one ever gets tired of looking at the
water."