installing a backup engine
- Thread starter RodNca
- Start date
RollerCoastr
Well-Known Member
- Nov 15, 2007
- 3,884
- Boat Info
- 1997 400DA
340HP 7.4 Mercruiser Bluewaters
Garmin 741, 742, 8212, 24HD, Intellian I2
- Engines
- 1999 280BR
Twin 250HP Merc 350 Alpha Ones
Like a kicker outboard to limp home?
I think money on a DSC VHF radio and a SeaTow membership is money much better spent.
I think money on a DSC VHF radio and a SeaTow membership is money much better spent.
CaptRonn
Well-Known Member
- May 25, 2016
- 1,550
- Boat Info
- 1999 Sea Ray 400 Sedan Bridge
- Engines
- Convert fuel into noise
Stee6043
Well-Known Member
If DSC/Tow Boat are not options I'd suggest your next best bet (for safety) would be to invest in a dinghy with a reliable outboard. And plenty of rode on your 240 anchor. In a pinch you anchor the 240, dinghy to safety and figure out salvage of the 240 from land...
That could be an option however usually when you are in trouble, time can be a real issue hence I do not see myself putting the dinghy in the water and installing the engine on it especially if the weather is somehow bad with waves and gusts.
RollerCoastr
Well-Known Member
- Nov 15, 2007
- 3,884
- Boat Info
- 1997 400DA
340HP 7.4 Mercruiser Bluewaters
Garmin 741, 742, 8212, 24HD, Intellian I2
- Engines
- 1999 280BR
Twin 250HP Merc 350 Alpha Ones
Even so, I agree with the dinghy idea.
I don't think a dedicated outboard engine for the sole purpose of being a spare makes much sense. Mounting it would be awkward, ugly, and damaging to the boat. You'd also have to store an external fuel tank, and if you didn't regularly use that outboard and keep the fuel fresh, it would likely fail when you were already desperate for propulsion. It would also imply to future owners that you didn't trust the primary systems. (at least, that would be my first thought)
I don't have statistics to back this up, but I'd bet that most towing situations are due to: lack of maintenance, lack of fuel, dead batteries and poor navigation.
If you put extra care into avoiding the common failures, that only leaves random, unforeseen mechanical failures to leave you stranded.
A dinghy and Torqeedo could be your way out of that...
I don't think a dedicated outboard engine for the sole purpose of being a spare makes much sense. Mounting it would be awkward, ugly, and damaging to the boat. You'd also have to store an external fuel tank, and if you didn't regularly use that outboard and keep the fuel fresh, it would likely fail when you were already desperate for propulsion. It would also imply to future owners that you didn't trust the primary systems. (at least, that would be my first thought)
I don't have statistics to back this up, but I'd bet that most towing situations are due to: lack of maintenance, lack of fuel, dead batteries and poor navigation.
If you put extra care into avoiding the common failures, that only leaves random, unforeseen mechanical failures to leave you stranded.
A dinghy and Torqeedo could be your way out of that...
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Well Even if maintenance is done in the engine, shit can happen.
And usually they do when you do not need it.
It is pretty easy to be at 1 or 2 hours from the shore when you navigate in the South Pacific and New Caledonia. South Pacific Ocean is not that Pacific and weather reports are usually not that accurate.
i suppose this is the reason most of the single engine boat are equipped with a back up smaller engine even if it makes the boat uglier.
And usually they do when you do not need it.
It is pretty easy to be at 1 or 2 hours from the shore when you navigate in the South Pacific and New Caledonia. South Pacific Ocean is not that Pacific and weather reports are usually not that accurate.
i suppose this is the reason most of the single engine boat are equipped with a back up smaller engine even if it makes the boat uglier.
Steve S
Well-Known Member
- Jun 5, 2007
- 3,123
- Boat Info
- 2000 400 Sedan Bridge with twin CAT 3116's
2000 340 Sundancer - SOLD!
210 Monaco 1987 - SOLD!
- Engines
- Twin Caterpillar 3116's 350 HP straight drives
In the well next to me is an older Sedan Bridge (non SeaRay) with an outboard mounted on it. The guy uses it as a trolling motor when he fishes. Ugly as can be.
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On the swim platform mount a bracket, backing plate and a 9.9hp ...get an external tank and a long hose to go thru the door and your good to go.
Stee6043
Well-Known Member
One of my biggest disappointment's is that these threads never seem to end with photo updates...
If I ever convert my 400 to triple 200hp outboard power you guys know full well that there will be one hell of a photo thread started
If I ever convert my 400 to triple 200hp outboard power you guys know full well that there will be one hell of a photo thread started
- Apr 26, 2009
- 5,807
- Boat Info
- '97 330 Sundancer, Raymarine C80 suite with radar, Mercury 310 Hypalon w/8hp Yammie 2stk
- Engines
- 2X 454 carbs w/ vDrives
One of my biggest disappointment's is that these threads never seem to end with photo updates...
If I ever convert my 400 to triple 200hp outboard power you guys know full well that there will be one hell of a photo thread started
Remember this from a thread from a while ago?
Stee6043
Well-Known Member
Dangit. That one time!!! And I suppose the thread with the forward-cabin mounted generator was also quite fulfilling. Ha.
It is from 2007.
JimG
Well-Known Member
- Nov 4, 2008
- 6,085
- Boat Info
- 2007 310 DA
Kohler 5ECD
- Engines
- Twin 350 Mags
Raw Water Cooled
V-Drives
Here ya go...
JimG
Well-Known Member
- Nov 4, 2008
- 6,085
- Boat Info
- 2007 310 DA
Kohler 5ECD
- Engines
- Twin 350 Mags
Raw Water Cooled
V-Drives
Not mine... found the picture in another thread. I'ts a 1991 270DA.Not that ugly
Did you have a situation where you had to use it? Is it easy to steer from the platform? Is that a L shaft? 9.9hp?
If you're a fisherman nothing looks better than thatNot that ugly