Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigplumbs
Donny
Have you ever had to use the Auxiliary in a real life situation ?
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Sorry for the delay in replying guys..I was a sea again for the last three days on a multi day wild camping trip. It was chilly in the tent at night despite my central heating fluid of whisky. Winds were mixed too from calm to touching on F5 but I still enjoyed going round the lovely Isles of Bute and Arran.
Have I used my Aux engine in anger. ?
Yes I have several times and its why I carry one.
Im at sea more than most leisure boaters so IMO its only a matter of time before an OB gives problems..but that does not mean its life threatening or you even need an aux if you boat in company or have sea start .. I guess last line is the RNLI and I have read it is the cause of most of their call outs so they do attend.
Only two weeks ago I watched the Mallaig lifeboat tow one of the commercial fishing boats back to Glenuig. Its engine had broken down..a companion fishing boat tried to tow it back but in the strong F6 off shore wind and heavy sea ..it didn’t have enough power..hence the Lifeboat call.
First in true Gurnard style let me tell you about the only time I didn’t have my aux engine on the Quicksilver in the past three years.
It was my first outing of the season three years ago. I had arranged to meet a friend at Taynuilt on Loch Etive. I always try to get my first trip of the season in safe waters to ensure everything is working properly. The day previously I started the 25HP main up in a bucket of water at home to burn out the defogging oil and ensure the OB started ok..It started third pull and ran sweet as a nut. It was in a bucket I couldn’t put it in gear to run the prop.
At Loch Etive, I Beach launched at Taynuilt. There was a strong off shore wind blowing..so I started the OB and it went no problem and ran sweet as a nut again ..so I jumped on board and settled down to put it in gear to head off. The wind quickly blew the boat off shore..I popped the OB into gear and it went no problem. However I then discovered the butterfly carb throttle fitting had seized over the winter so the engine could not rev. At low revs there was not enough power in the OB to turn the bow into the wind to head back to shore. If I had been at sea and alone..it would have been a pan pan call as the wind blew the big SIB at a fast speed. Fortunately my friend who I was going boating with saw what was happening and towed me back to shore. I can honestly say that is the only time I have not had the Aux on The Gurnard.. sods law and all that.
Around 5 years a small hardshell with an almost brand new 8hp Tohatsu 4 stroke... I was following some kayaker friends round the Arisaig coastline. The OB was on slow speed for a long time ..which 4 strokes are suppose to be good at. It stalled when plugs oiled up and the more I tried to start the OB the more it flooded. I was heading onto rocks fast as there was a fair amount of swell. The 3.3HP aux got the boat safely to a sheltered bay where I managed to land..pull the plugs ..turn the OB over the clear the excess fuel and off I went again. I would have been on the rocks if it was not for the aux that day.
The Gurnard quicksilver and 25HP once ..cross to the Island of Eigg . The hub on the old prop..not because I hit anything..I presume age ..started to slip.. it was over half way across then started to fail completely.. the OB went fine but it could not turn the prop. The 3.3 HP took me the remaining 3 miles across to Eigg no problem..it was assisted by wind and waves..when I landed..I put on the spare prop..Yup..I carry on as well as the aux..and I went on with my multi day adventure. I considered it too risky trying to put the prop on while alone and bouncing around in a F4 sea
I read the thread about whether an Aux is necessary or not..but as I dont listen to half the advice on forums ..I will always have an Aux regardless what others do. I have to be honest too .. I dont really care what others do either
..so my advice is ... do as you please.. it a free world.
BLACK PIG
Piglet
Tickler
