Aux for Ribeye 785s

[totallydave]

Hi,

Having recently acquired a 785, I'm looking at options for an Aux engine (as one of the main reason for the boat upgrade was to go a bit more offshore / longer distance).

I'm hoping I can get a small 2 stroke (or even electric) which I can keep in the underseat locker and bring out in the case of a main engine issue.

Realistically what's the best / smallest HP / KW that might keep a 785 moving and bob us back to shore?

[Xk59D]

forget electric-useless for this, 8hp 2 stroke minimum and make sure it will bolt onto transom before committing to anything if possible. no point it being in the locker IMO as if it is rough you won't be putting it on the transom easily.

20 miles is about 4-5 hours on a boat that size i would wager based on my 6.8 with an 8hp 2 stroke aux.

[totallydave]

Thanks Xk59D, it would have it's own bracket, just don't want it on all the time as they just get bounced around - but I see your point that you don't want to be trying to put it on when the s*ht hits the fan.

[Fender]

Not saying a word..................

[Xk59D]

the lightest 2 stoke you could buy is one i have i think, it is 25kg for yamaha 8hp 2 stroke, i did have a 54kg 9.9 suzuki briefly but there is noooo way you are putting that on whilst on the boat and moving around, if the stuff hits the fan the 25kg will be a real struggle too.

on a bracket isn't ideal but if the choice is a bracket or a locker then needs must, amazing on a 7.8m boat an aux won't go onto the transom though

[Mollers]

With wind or tide or both running, 8hp wouldn't do fart on an 8m boat. OK in calm conditions, but useless if it kicked up.

[breezeblock]

Originally Posted by Mollers

With wind or tide or both running, 8hp wouldn't do fart on an 8m boat. OK in calm conditions, but useless if it kicked up.

its still going to be better than a paddle

[Xk59D]

Originally Posted by Mollers

With wind or tide or both running, 8hp wouldn't do fart on an 8m boat. OK in calm conditions, but useless if it kicked up.

8hp will be no more than adequate on an 7.8m boat.....hence I said minimum!!!!!

If it kicked up then 20hp may do nowt! It is all relative and worst case can keep you away or close to land as situation dictates until others arrive if need be.

[Xk59D]

Never seen an 8hp single? 6 is biggest single I know of?

I don't understand people not advocating an aux, seems to be a Solent thing. Up here you rarely see someone without one or in company.

Personally I never go out alone without my aux, never used it in anger but gets used every time I'm out and started before I leave the dock.

[mhb100]

Don't know why I put 8 single, probability getting mixed up with 5hp.

I always keep the aux on permanently, but my main engine does not have a limp home as my Honda did. Plus I normally would use boat without company a nd not in the Solent. But if I cruised in company, had a means to share fuel with a neighbour's boat (if required) then I'd probably view a tow as an ok alternative for a short haul.

[totallydave]

Thanks all - I didn't set out to start a fight about who thinks what.

Sounds like 8hp-15hp are what I need to look at. I appreciate they are not going to blast me home in a storm, it's more a case of keeping some seaway if I run into a problem - perhaps buying time whilst trying to solve main engine or waiting for rescue.

As I've only recently moved up from a 5.5m to an 8m, I just assumed that the only solution to fitting said aux was a 'lifting aux bracket', but seems some are suggesting I put it straight on the transom. I guess there's room, but that would mean either putting it on when needed or dragging it around permanently.

Thoughts on this?

[Fender]

Originally Posted by Last Tango

Flares............so someone else can come and help you.
Two VHFs.......to call someone else to come and help you
PLB...............so as someone else can find you and save you
Life Jackets....to keep you afloat until someone else can rescue you
Epirb............so as someone else can find and rescue you
Waterproof Mobile.... so you can call someone else to come and rescue you.

Bit of a trend here.....

How about (for a few hundred pounds) an AUX so you can simply get yourself out of trouble????

Like mid channel

Aux's aren't the golden ticket - any reasonable distance from your home port you WILL need outside assistance to get you back

[xpertski]

For me, I have a 6ho 4str Mercury on a bracket which works fine, I secure it with a ratchet as extra security - it can be dropped in the water quickly when needed by lowering the bracket (which whilst rated to 15hp or 50kg I wouldn’t feel secure with that size on it). Though to go regularly a long way offshore, perhaps twin engines?

[Last Tango]

Originally Posted by xpertski

For me, I have a 6ho 4str Mercury on a bracket which works fine, I secure it with a ratchet as extra security - it can be dropped in the water quickly when needed by lowering the bracket (which whilst rated to 15hp or 50kg I wouldn’t feel secure with that size on it). Though to go regularly a long way offshore, perhaps twin engines?

+1

In an ideal world twins would be better but that entails other major cost issues.

A 6hp AUX costs very little in the big scheme of things

Mines is simply left clamped to the transom, started every now and then, and otherwise forgotten bar a quick service every year.... There's no "down side" and I really can't understand why you wouldn't fit one..

[pilotwillie]

Originally Posted by totallydave

I guess there's room, but that would mean either putting it on when needed or dragging it around permanently.



Thoughts on this?

Don’t know if you saw my relevant (I think !) reply before this thread was ‘tidied’ up and was moved elsewhere.

If there’s room, then straight onto the transom, where you need it to be. You’ll not notice it’s there and ‘dragging it around’ won’t be an issue.

All the best [emoji1303]

Page 4/7, post #33
The "auxilliary or not?" argument
http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=80059