should I stop the engine?

CelticNate · 22 September 2013, 10:41

If out to sea and not anchored?
Yesterday out and about on the rib and fishing with some feathers... I felt it was better to drift with the engine ticking over rather than turn it off... Just in case it wouldn't start again... No back up engine and a long way to row...
What are your thoughts?

Mollers · 22 September 2013, 10:43

If it makes you happy and you don't mind the noise and eating exhaust fumes, It'll do no harm.

Pikey Dave · 22 September 2013, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

If it makes you happy and you don't mind the noise and eating exhaust fumes, It'll do no harm.

I agree, however I wouldn't be going to sea with an engine that I didn't trust enough to be able to switch it off. One of the pleasures of boating is drifting with tide & wind in peace & quiet.

gridge · 22 September 2013, 11:16

Totally agree with Pikey Dave... i am not sure how the fish react with the noise and exhaust, personally i would choose to drift with engine off, unless i was somewhere really dodgy like very close to breaking waves... cliffs, big rocks etc

Hightower · 22 September 2013, 11:38

It all depends where I drift. If I'm mackereling near allot of other boats then I keep it running as I want fast reaction to those idiots around me. Yesterday I was drifting some plaice banks with a few charter boats and due to the long drift I switched off after each run.

Boats&Outboards · 22 September 2013, 12:06

I'd agree, switch off on drift, if you've no confidence in it re-starting don't go out.

If you'd prefer to have the engine running, why not troll instead ?

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CelticNate · 22 September 2013, 13:12

Fair points and I agree... Only second time out and finding some confidence... No problems with the engine starting so far....

Good points about if near to other boats or rocks though!

Cheers all

slate1234 · 22 September 2013, 13:59

I have better results with the engine off when fishing unless I'm trolling at around 1-2 knots and at least a 100yards of line out for bass, but then again the mackrel just comit suicide anyway, but all said and done if you dont trust the engine dont go out, I fish up to 3 miles out with a 8hp johnson (not so far if there are no boats around) but I know the engine well haveing done all repairs myself

GJ0KYZ · 22 September 2013, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I agree, however I wouldn't be going to sea with an engine that I didn't trust enough to be able to switch it off.

I agree, you need to be able to trust your engine to start.

thomas · 22 September 2013, 18:18

I never leave my engine running unless I'm at the helm, leaving it running and unattended can lead to bad habits and disaster in some cases.

paddlers · 22 September 2013, 18:36

Always stop mine for fishing. To be honest if I wasn't confident of them starting again I'd get ones that would....
Had a bit of an issue this year of my 135 Mariner blowing a fuse on occasions, turned out to be a wire shorting sometimes in the control box but meant it wouldn't start. Relief when I found it but taking the hood off perched on the back isn't fun so made sure it was sorted asap ! Breakdowns do happen but I regard starting easily a must.

CelticNate · 22 September 2013, 18:42

I agree about having faith in the engine... I guess just being new to it I haven't built the confidence up yet...
Maybe I could use it as a good excuse to get a bigger rib with twin engines on it

jlanng · 22 September 2013, 20:22

What sort of engine is it? 2 strokes don't like always like idling for extended period

CelticNate · 22 September 2013, 20:32

Oh... It's a 2 stroke... 30hp tohatsu

Xk59D · 22 September 2013, 20:47

you don't want to be leaving a 2 stroke to idle too long.

if you can't trust it to start again then why do you trust it with your life and go out?

get a handheld VHF and a small aux, jobs a goodun!

cheers

CelticNate · 22 September 2013, 21:16

Got a good vhf and I did take out lots of rope!