Talking with a buddy yesterday he mentioned he never cuts his motors off while he is anchored up offshore. His reasoning was two-fold. Charging the batteries, and second was reliability (not having to worry if the motor would crank from something like a bad starter / relay etc.).
I’m still new to running my own boat offshore but everyone I’ve fished with cut the motors off once the anchor was set. What is the consensus of the group around here?
I’ve always been the same way. I think the age of 4stroke reliability has changed lots of things.
I would say that it depends on how prepared you are and your level of technical ability.
Most of the folks who are regulars on this site seem fairly smart and well prepared. It’s unlikely we would get ourselves into a situation that we couldn’t solve.
If you leave it running you could have a failure, or if you shut it off you could have a failure.
If you’re swimming or diving you will need to shut it off, if you only have one battery you will need to leave it running.
*** World Cat 266 SC ***
MWF is dead on;;; depends on your level of confidence and ability along with method of fishing… If I’m offshore and drowning on the bottom
and catching i’ll turn it off , if not catching and moving and looking, i’ll leave it running !!!
George McDonald ; MAD Charleston
[http://www.militaryappreciationday.org
When you see “Old Glory” waving in the breeze, know that it is the dying breaths of our fallen hero’s that makes it wave.
author unknown
So many variables to consider. Here’s my situation you can apply it where it fits yours.
I’m new to offshore in my boat just over two years now. I have a 2002 25’ wellcraft CC with a 2002 Yamaha OX66 2cycle engine. Both are very well maintained. I’m typically near shore depending on the day. 20 miles is usually comfy. 30 is about my limit.
I have two general use batteries that will take a 100% charge. I also carry a hot shot pack and have a tow boat membership. The issue with a large 2 cycle is that they have to have cranking power to start.
I shut down if I’m going to be in one place for an hour or more. If it’s uncertain, as it often is, and I am at idle for more than about 30 minutes, I’ll be sure to blow the engine out. Ideally with a high rpm torque run or just an out of gear rev if the ocean condition won’t allow a couple of minutes under torque. NOTE I always isolate to one battery if I shut the engine down. That way I know I have one at 100% for start and the hot shot as a backup.
My weak point is not starting amps. It’s having 1 fifteen year old 2 cyl engine. Idle it (or any engine) too long and it’s a problem. Shut it off and it could be a problem.
If I had a new generation 4 stroke I’d be more comfortable with shutting it down or prolonged idle. IMHO the older 4 strokes are not as reliable as my OX 66.
Then there is the whole argument on one engine or two.
Listen to the engine. It will tell you what your comfort level should be. It will say when it has had enough idle time and will tell you on the trip out if you should continue.
Good luck with your decision and stay as safe as your equipment and experience allows.
2002 Wellcraft 250CC Yam OX66
Never cut the motors off offshore.
“Another poon dream splintered on the rocks of reality.” --Peepod 07-25-2017
If you are running a live well pump, watching a depth finder, and have a VHF radio on, it just makes good sense to keep the motors/motor
running.
Pioneer 222 Sportfish
Yamaha 250
New to the “new boat”. Ran to the jetties, radio playing tunes, playing with the Simrad while everyone fished, live well running…kilt the battery and had to get a jump from Sea Tow.
I’m going to leave mine on when offshore, just to be safe.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
2007 Grady White 222 Fisherman / 250 Yamaha
Simrad NSS evo2 and G4
1- 22 boy that won’t move out)
1 - 18 year old (fishing maniac)
1 - wife (The Warden)
ECFC
Those of you leaving the motors running - do you still have spades come up behind the boat on a chum line with the motors idling?
quote:
Originally posted by CircleHookThose of you leaving the motors running - do you still have spades come up behind the boat on a chum line with the motors idling?
I don’t know of any fish offshore Charleston that care about the motor noise. Some folks say that the noise attracts fish. Spades are really stupid, I don’t think they’re afraid of anything.
*** World Cat 266 SC ***
Always leave mine running when offshore and even leave it running for short period of time after anchoring at jetties to make sure anchor gonna hold. Maybe over kill but you never know. Never had any issues with the motor keeping spades from coming up to the boat.
KEY WEST 21BR
YAMAHA F150
Always leave mine running when offshore and even leave it running for short period of time after anchoring at jetties to make sure anchor gonna hold. Maybe over kill but you never know. Never had any issues with the motor keeping spades from coming up to the boat.
KEY WEST 21BR
YAMAHA F150
I might be in the minority here. I have no problems turning motors off offshore. If the boat is maintained properly to the point where you can take it offshore, then it is maintained enough to where you can turn the motors off and expect them to start again. I enjoy the silence of not having motor chatter constantly while bottom fishing. I have been on plenty of other boats that don’t shut them off though. A separate fully charged extra battery can allay some fears I suppose. I am of the opinion that if you are petrified that your motor won’t start the next time you crank it, maybe you shouldn’t be out there?
You use to could rope start the motors I ran. I imagine you still can if you can get to the flywheel. When I got I/O motors…one stayed on all the time to charge the batteries…with two spares. Very temperamental.
I run my motor till I’m anchored up or at the dock.
for $60-100, one can buy the nearly pocket sized USB powered battery packs for jumping the engine. I’ve be amazed at how quickly the start a car or truck.
I just leave one on each of my boats and cars.
quote:
Originally posted by millacdI might be in the minority here. I have no problems turning motors off offshore. If the boat is maintained properly to the point where you can take it offshore, then it is maintained enough to where you can turn the motors off and expect them to start again. I enjoy the silence of not having motor chatter constantly while bottom fishing. I have been on plenty of other boats that don’t shut them off though. A separate fully charged extra battery can allay some fears I suppose. I am of the opinion that if you are petrified that your motor won’t start the next time you crank it, maybe you shouldn’t be out there?
Same here…the quiet is so awesome…
SAFMC you suck!
quote:
Originally posted by millacdI might be in the minority here. I have no problems turning motors off offshore. If the boat is maintained properly to the point where you can take it offshore, then it is maintained enough to where you can turn the motors off and expect them to start again. I enjoy the silence of not having motor chatter constantly while bottom fishing. I have been on plenty of other boats that don’t shut them off though. A separate fully charged extra battery can allay some fears I suppose. I am of the opinion that if you are petrified that your motor won’t start the next time you crank it, maybe you shouldn’t be out there?</font id=“red”>
Engine off if anchoring and all electronics not needed turned off, & spare starting battery. I’m not going offshore in a boat I don’t trust to turn off the engines either. You have just as much a chance on an engine/foot failure (probably more) on the trip in and out as you do it starting back up after turning it off. Other than human error on draining a battery.
“Why Bruce?”
I only have one battery and have no issue with shutting down offshore. If I’m running electronics I will start up every once and a while but always have a portable jump starter with me. My boat is only a year old but like the others say, if you don’t trust your motor, you shouldn’t be going out. And yes, always have a good towing plan.
Tidewater 198 CC
No offshore boat should only have 1 battery !! If you have 1 engine you should have a battery for the engine and a “house” battery for electronics. There should be a rule switch to isolate each battery and to charge each battery. I have no issue with shutting down the engine if the boat is well maintained , and there is no power draw on the cranking battery