Would you vote Yes or No? (compulsory auxs)

[Dhf]

Nothing official but I was just wondering what others though,
should it be compulsory to carry an independent power source/auxiliary outboard whilst cruising offshore?
personally I would vote yes, and have always carried an aux,
although I very much doubt a small aux would get many back to Port in any hurry, it could at least stop you going broadside to unfavourable conditions, and possibly keep you out of the proverbial.

[ShinyShoe]

Oh lord... A Compulsory question...

So some thoughts:
One mans off shore is another's coastal jaunt.
What about cruising in company?
What about dual engines? But need to prove truely independent.
Can anyone provide a case of a rib going broadside, capsizing and therefore genuinely endangering the crew, oh and was it offshore and was it coz of engine failure?
Does having a backup increase risk you will go out with a niggle on the engine coz the aux will be there?

Without wanting to sound like the HSE surely what's needed is to assess and minimise risks

[kerny]

I wouldn't vote for anything that takes away our rights

At the moment our coastline has no restrictions, if I wanted to do a bit of fishing in a tin bath I can do, although the decision to do that would be stupid its my choice.

Even with restrictions, you will always read or hear about someone doing something stupid at sea,

As someone from North of the border once said.... FREEEEEDOM!!

[Nick Hearne]

no

[HughN]

Once you down that route - or any 'compulsory' requirements - you open a whole can of worms: design regulations (for separation of fuel systems, minimum size of auxiliary, etc.,), yearly tests / inspections, etc.,. And this regulatory behemoth would all have to be paid for...

I'm sure we'd all like to carry auxiliaries, etc., but in reality can't and have to balance risks.

[Pikey Dave]

Get a grip man NO

[DJL]

I'd vote no. Do we really want anything to be compulsory?! Plus in my experience they are next to useless. I'd much rather have a decent anchor setup and sea anchor.

[Landlockedpirate]

No.

It would be pointless anyway. The responsible boaters with well maintained boats would fully comply and never need it.

The muppets who buy a £200 sieve off ebay would completely ignore the rules, not have a aux and need towing back in from 10 meters off the beach when they break down/run out of fuel/run out of beer etc etc.

[Poly]

are there significant numbers of powerboats breaking down offshore and needing towed home? if not what problem are you trying to solve...

Its not even required on commercial boats. In fact having an aux with little understanding of its limitations might lead to complacency.

[kerny]

Looks like a NODhf

[Dhf]

Aye! I'd say your right there Kerny,
Okay maybe Compulsory is just to enforcing, perhaps I should've asked,,, Are most pleasure craft users confident enough to manage without one?
as mentioned the unit would obviously need regular checks, just like the main engine or engines.
And of course different rules could apply if cruising with company.
However, I still say the minimal power of a little aux should not be overlooked as an essential piece of get you out of trouble kit.
Especially with scenarios like, engine failure in shipping lanes,etc.

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by Dhf

However, I still say the minimal power of a little aux should not be overlooked as an essential piece of get you out of trouble kit.
Especially with scenarios like, engine failure in shipping lanes,etc.

I've never had an engine completely fail at full pelt or cruising speed with no warning.... I've never had a car so the same either.

Switch to limp home mode.. Yes.

Cut out at idle.. Yes.

Refuse to start.. Yes.

None of the above would be a justification for an aux in a shipping lane.

[Dry Run]

My experience of most peoples aux engines is that they sit there doing nothing for months at a time and the one time you do need them - they fail to start!

[tony t]

Originally Posted by kerny

I wouldn't vote for anything that takes away our rights

At the moment our coastline has no restrictions, if I wanted to do a bit of fishing in a tin bath I can do, although the decision to do that would be stupid its my choice.

Even with restrictions, you will always read or hear about someone doing something stupid at sea,

As someone from North of the border once said.... FREEEEEDOM!!

Are you allowed to vote being a foreigner like


Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

[Trimix]

No.

One of the nice things about boating is that your left to make your own decisions, fend for youself and use your skill and judgement.

Anything compulsory takes away from that freedom.

Anything compulsory takes away from you having to think about consequences.

[Doug Stormforce]

No, for all the good reasons given above

[GordyP]

Originally Posted by Dry Run

My experience of most peoples aux engines is that they sit there doing nothing for months at a time and the one time you do need them - they fail to start!

The above, also a lot of the aux aren't powerful enough to do much more than perhaps keep the boats head into the sea, if you really want to have a meaningful aux it should be powerful enough to push the boat along at a useful speed.

A big No vote from me.

[Rokraider]

Running a diesel. carrying a reserve outboard means additional fuel tanks and as the RIB weighs around 2.5 tonnes already, without the aux, it will need to be fairly powerful, especially as it will need to be able to potentially cope with Chichester Bar on a bad day. Also I have a large jetdrive on the transom that will get in the way of an outboard.
So in my case I wouldn't bother and have spent the money on a pair of decent anchor setups. If I break down, I will drop anchor and attempt to sort the problem or summon assistance.
Shouldn't be compulsory in my view. An annual compulsory MOT would make more sense to try and raise the levels of maintenance.

[Dhf]

Originally Posted by DJL

I'd vote no. Do we really want anything to be compulsory?! Plus in my experience they are next to useless. I'd much rather have a decent anchor setup and sea anchor.

I AGREE with you all now, compulsory is wrong in many cases,
However,
I can't see why anyone would think auxiliaries are next to useless, one shouldn't underestimate the capability of a little Auxiliary, or paddles for that matter,
for an untested example, I would bet that the power/thrust of just a little 2 hp, would equal the power of 4 average men with paddles,
and its amazing the distances achievable with just 2 rowers.
Step up to the 4 hp's, would almost double the thrust of course, but not necessarily double overall speed over ground.
I've personally used 4hp aux's with SIB's to recover up to 6 ton yachts from there mooring to slipway for trailer or crane recovery,
admittedly this was in a reasonable sheltered bay with max f-3 cross or head wind, but still that's amazing power t weight ratio,
almost impossible to steer with the aux though, so best using rudder on the larger craft, with the powered SIB tethered aside.
Must agree with the importance of good Anchoring gear though.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by kerny

I wouldn't vote for anything that takes away our rights

At the moment our coastline has no restrictions, if I wanted to do a bit of fishing in a tin bath I can do, although the decision to do that would be stupid its my choice.

Even with restrictions, you will always read or hear about someone doing something stupid at sea,

As someone from North of the border once said.... FREEEEEDOM!!

NO FROM ME.
Now if we're a vote to make it mandatory ...NOT to have an Aux..I'd vote NO too