TWL: Twin screws, bad fuel
I have decided to sell my old Morgan OI 41 and switch to power. Friends with a single engine trawler, a Grand Banks, argue that twin engines are a headache and do not really provide the redundancy because most diesels quite due to bad fuel or clogged filters. They say both engines would die at the same time, anyway. It would seem to me that once one quit and there might still be a significant time lag until the second one quit. Maybe time enough to get the problem sorted out. I'm wondering if any of you twin-engine trawler people have had any experience with one engine continuing to run after the other had quit?
-BH
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Hi Bart,
I was cruising up the pacific coast on my 49 defever trawler when I lost
my port engine due water getting into the port tank through the
breathing tube. I closed the port tank, and continued to run on my
starboard engine until I got safely into Coose Bay Oregon to fix the
port engine. I was happy that I had 2 engines. Another solution is to
have a single engine, longer range, and a homing device connected to
your genset.
Richard
Bart Hodge wrote:
I have decided to sell my old Morgan OI 41 and switch to power. Friends with a single engine trawler, a Grand Banks, argue that twin engines are a headache and do not really provide the redundancy because most diesels quite due to bad fuel or clogged filters. They say both engines would die at the same time, anyway. It would seem to me that once one quit and there might still be a significant time lag until the second one quit. Maybe time enough to get the problem sorted out. I'm wondering if any of you twin-engine trawler people have had any experience with one engine continuing to run after the other had quit?
-BH
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We've covered this ground before, but in my opinion, the biggest threat in
stopping an engine is wrapping something around the prop. I believe with
fuel polishing and care I can prevent fuel problems from stopping the
engine. A twin provides redundancy both in engine and screws, but on the
other hand, a single has a much more protected prop to begin with. Oh, such
a dilemma. I opt for a single with a get-home and a separate (small) prop.
Russ
(SNIP) I'm wondering if any of you twin-engine trawler people have had
any experience with one engine continuing to run after the other had
quit?
The positive side is when you work on one engine; you have the other
available so you can see how it goes together!
I've had my twins for 11 years. Occasionally one engine will overheat
due to clogged strainer, HEX failure etc, but never have I had both
engines quit.
The secret to avoiding bad fuel is only buy fuel where the local
commercial and sport fishermen buy their fuel and look at the condition
of the filters. Vendors who screw the locals get drummed out of town
(or worse!)
Regards....
Phil Rosch
M/V "Curmudgeon" Marine Trader 44 TC
Currently Moored in Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD.
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't
do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away
from
the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream.
Discover." - Mark Twain
After going both ways (Krogen 42 single, Hatteras 58 twin), I do not think
numbers of engines should be a significant consideration in purchasing a
used trawler. There are good advantages either way and there are many more
important design features/personal preferences that should have highere
precedence. Buying new is different, but most of us buy used.
Regarding contaminated fuel with twins, I think pulling fuel for each engine
from different tanks is the obvious way to go. I have 4 tanks allowing me
to keep using the prior fuel fill in one engine while testing the new fuel
in the other. Apparently, fuel does not spoil in my fiberglass tanks...knock
wood.
Bob
R C Smith Jr
M/V MARY KATHRYN (new name, ex-SUSAN MARIE)
Hatteras 58 LRC
Currently in Annapolis
Contrary to popular opinion among single engine owners, bad fuel is not the
only problem you can run in to. I was gunkholeing up the Coos river when I
hit a log or rock I don't know which, and broke a prop. I came in on the
other engine and put the boat in the slip without anyone knowing I had a
problem until I told them. There is more to the propulsion system than fuel.
At 07:20 AM 10/4/2002 -0700, you wrote:
I have decided to sell my old Morgan OI 41 and switch to power. Friends
with a single engine trawler, a Grand Banks, argue that twin engines are a
headache and do not really provide the redundancy because most diesels
quite due to bad fuel or clogged filters. They say both engines would die
at the same time, anyway. It would seem to me that once one quit and there
might still be a significant time lag until the second one quit. Maybe
time enough to get the problem sorted out. I'm wondering if any of you
twin-engine trawler people have had any experience with one engine
continuing to run after the other had quit?
-BH
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Michael Gibbons
http://www.seadreamer.net
40' Marine Trader
"Sea Dreamer"
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