axillry engine

[fraztiree]

just wondered what you guys views were on having axillary engines on the back . do you think i will need one my boat has the bracket and iv always had one on my other boats .but now im thinking it will add to much wight reduce speed etc what do you think?

[Poly]

not a lot of help in your part of the world if you get a mechanical problem.

[BruceB]

It just takes time, lots of it!
I have only needed the aux once and that was off Coll not a million miles from you. I ended up coming back to Oban on just the aux then partial power on the main engine. I would have got home on the aux eventually as it was around 30miles.
After a few miles I managed to repair the main motor enough to get 16-17knots and we came home on this but the aux got us into the sound of Mull and would have got us home despite the distance.
Operating out there I would probably be thinking of twins just for the remoteness but at least an aux will get you back to shore instead of floating off to the US, I mean its not as it you can anchor out there

[fraztiree]

coll eh should of come to tiree instead of going back to oban ha. there always some other boat about tht could giv me a tow .dont no cant decide. thanks

[Bigmuz7]

On the West Coast .. Carry one .. use it.. train with it and have a separate fuel supply for it,.. 6 Knots is better than none out here .. finding a lee shore may be all you need it for but thats why you should have it rather than run the risk of the wind and tide removing you from safety. I use the biggest I can store and handle, I have a purpose made stow point on deck, and a substantial bracket to mount it on the transom ,.. also I have a solution to draw fuel from the main tank for extended use if necessary

[BogMonster]

6 knots is better than none round here too - if the prevailing westerly wind stays exactly westerly first landfall is 13000 miles away on the west coast of Chile

[BruceB]

I might even be out your way regularly soon, I am told responsibilty for some premises on the island are coming my way soon and since I can't think of a way to avoid having them added to my portfolio I reckon I will need to start visiting every few months.
My is on the transom mouted ready to go and I don't think I would operate in this area without one as most times we operate with nobody else around. Its comforting to know you won't be totally stuck if something goes pop!

[kwil]

Agree with Bruce, Stephen and Bigmuz, mine is permanently mounted and available for instant use. The weight is no problem, don't even notice it is there. Also make sure it can be fed from a different fuel source to the main engine. As the others have said it maybe slow but what is time compared ending up on the rocks or worse!

Keith

[jambo]

Hi Fraz
agree with the rest of the guys. I carry a 4hp on the transom all the time especially where I cruise ( sound of jura) unfortunately I had to use it on one occassion coming back from Giha and was I glad I had it. Always have a seperate tank for it.
Cheers
J

[alystra]

Originally Posted by jambo

Hi Fraz
agree with the rest of the guys. I carry a 4hp on the transom all the time especially where I cruise ( sound of jura) unfortunately I had to use it on one occassion coming back from Giha and was I glad I had it. Always have a seperate tank for it.
Cheers
J

Me too. Same place. Even three knots is better than nothing. Had to use it once 'in anger' after I tried to run my main engine on water.

As an experiment I motored the four miles back up the loch using the 3.5 Johnson. Averaged 3 knots and, interestingly, used the same amount of fuel as the main engine at 23 knots cruising speed.

[PeterM]

Intersting reading the views from the other end of the UK. All of my boating to date has been around / in the Solent where you can anchor most places if needed & worst case you can get a RNLI boat to you in about 10 minutes no matter where you are .

It makes me appreciate the advantages & disadvantages (ie lots of other boats around ! ) of being based down here.

[chewy]

A sea anchor would be a good idea as well, will hold you head into sea whilst you rig the aux.

[m chappelow]

problem is is the sea and tidal conditions vairy so much in the uk from one area to another , but i would always go for an aux engine anyhow if possible, as large as possible within reason , as BRUCE B just said for remote places a twin set up is better ,i have been involved with a few incidents over the years where a small engine just wouldent push the boat against tide and the wind and it became a towing in job ,or that just because its the aux it never gets a run and it wouldent start when needed ,though i know a good few ribers on this site give their aux engine a run regular ,its piece of mind having a spare onboard but only if it works or will do the job . ....apparently if you do drift off from scotland Norways lovelly this time of year,,mart

[jambo]

Originally Posted by m chappelow

problem is is the sea and tidal conditions vairy so much in the uk from one area to another , but i would always go for an aux engine anyhow if possible, as large as possible within reason , as BRUCE B just said for remote places a twin set up is better ,i have been involved with a few incidents over the years where a small engine just wouldent push the boat against tide and the wind and it became a towing in job ,or that just because its the aux it never gets a run and it wouldent start when needed ,though i know a good few ribers on this site give their aux engine a run regular ,its piece of mind having a spare onboard but only if it works or will do the job . ....apparently if you do drift off from scotland Norways lovelly this time of year,,mart

mart
a hellava drift from tiree to Norway!! Up the west coast round to top and over
cheers
J

[BruceB]

I use a Honda 2.3hp air cooled motor. I can pull start it either in the drive or water occasionallly which, because it can be done easily without having to flush, means it gets tested regularly and I know it works.

[jambo]

Originally Posted by BruceB

I use a Honda 2.3hp air cooled motor. I can pull start it either in the drive or water occasionallly which, because it can be done easily without having to flush, means it gets tested regularly and I know it works.

Yes Bruce I test my yami 4 regularly as well, for being gaught once I know the benefits of having an aux that works!

[chewy]

Originally Posted by m chappelow

Norways lovelly this time of year,,mart

No its not, its windy, cold and keeps trying to snow!

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by jambo

Yes Bruce I test my yami 4 regularly as well, for being gaught once I know the benefits of having an aux that works!

I know you have yours mounted jambo, I stow mine up front, and for me, testing the engine is all about deploying it as well, getting it over the transom safely and mounting it, and when I have a test day, I always pick a nasty wet'n windy day for it, since it shows up all the weaknesses in your procedures, and you can bet , that'll be the conditions in which you'll need it

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

I know you have yours mounted jambo, I stow mine up front, and for me, testing the engine is all about deploying it as well, getting it over the transom safely and mounting it, and when I have a test day, I always pick a nasty wet'n windy day for it, since it shows up all the weaknesses in your procedures, and you can bet , that'll be the conditions in which you'll need it

Hi I have toyed with the idea of mounting mine up front but the safety angle kinda put me of. Where do you sore yours as I would be interested>
J

[fraztiree]

thanks for the replys guys good advice cheers
fraz