I am by no means an offshore angler. However I’ve always assumed that most that do go offshore rely on two motors for safety purposes. Browsing around new boats I’m somewhat surprised to see so many new boats in the 23-24 range, what I had considered an entry length offshore boat, factory loaded with single outboards. Is there any real reason they’re putting only one engine on a boat designed to be fished offshore or is mostly got to do with $$$?
it could have something to do with the 300 and 350 hp outboards on the market today, but really not sure.
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
these modern motors are ALOT more reliable than previous motors also.
quote:
Originally posted by Gut Wrenchthese modern motors are ALOT more reliable than previous motors also.
This is why they do it, but there is do replacement for the piece of mind of redundancy. If I had only 1 motor 2 weeks ago, I may still be out there. Just saying…
I would suspect that they are doing it because (1) they are trying to hit the price point for entry-level sales, and (2) because of the price of gasoline. They are doing everything they can to make it more affordable for cost-conscious people looking at entry-level offshore boats.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc.
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
…the new engines make that more plausible with one motor because of increasd HP, economy, and reliability. They are still no replacement for twins. It’s not just the idea of getting stranded that makes people want two engines in the ocean. It’s being in a bad sea and losing your propulsion. Without propulsion to keep your heading right, you’ll quickly go beam-side and potentially capsize in a bad sea.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc.
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
No motor needed to fish on the internet. It looks like you got one gut hooked and he could fight for many pages.
If you ain’t hooked, you ain’t doing it right.
14’ Duracraft w/twin 25 Johnsons
http://www.myspace.com/myduesouth
I have some friends from South Africa who tell me that it is illegal to fish offshore there without two engines. Personally I am a two engine guy, I like the safety factor. Since I changed from two to four stroke engines fuel cost isn’t as big a problem as it was.
Apparently you can do it quite successfully in a 17’er with a single 90. Of course it would be prudent to do a thorough weather check and maybe even say a prayer before going out.
I think Gothca is right. Its not the loss of propulsion that worries people, its the loss of propulsion in bad seas. Personally I believe you could do it fine, but I wouldnt try and test my luck too many times with that.
Reel-Boy
180 Sea Pro
Hey bo… Watch this
Maybe Mike could chime in and tell us what percentage of tows (from motor breakdown) come from single outboards.
If I remember correctly from a previous life, there was a fishing club called the Jacksonville Outboard Sport Fishing Club (JOSFC). Pundits used to call them ‘crazy’ to venture offshore with only an outboard, but the only boats I remember seeing towed by the Coast Guard (while fishing from my single outboard) were inboards or I/Os … 
From someone who has been running offshore since 2003 with his single Yamaha 150 Saltwater Series 2 stroke … I would just like to add … put an EPIRB to the must have list & make sure your SeaTow membership is up to date . Better safe than sorry.
“Reel Cowboy”
2100 CC Sea Pro Bay with a T
Yamaha 150 OX66
A sea anchor would help keep the bow into the sea during rough weather.
quote:
Originally posted by jasonburrwc84A sea anchor would help keep the bow into the sea during rough weather.
Yep, keep one on my boat just in case.
“If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel .” Benjamin Netanyahu
GW 205
F200 Yam
Technology is the other part. Back in the day all you had to communicate if you broke down was a VHF radio. Anyone that has used VHF knows that it isn’t 100%. Now with Epirbs, Spot, Satellite phones, etc. the scariness for running a single outboard is going away.
Two engines is always better than one, but you can certainly go offshore with one engine today. Reality is gas is causing the majority of issues today and that will effect both engines.
An epirb and sat. phone will really put you at ease if something happens. I have fished for years offshore and every boat I have run twin outboards. My next offshore boat will be a single diesel.
Roger that, JTM. While I consider two engines a basic necessity for going way out into the ocean, it’s up to every responsible adult to make his own assessment and choices after being informed (those last three words are the key). It’s a question of relative preparedness and safety and an individual’s acknowledgement of the relative risks involved–not a matter of “can” or “can’t”.
Two engines are safer on the ocean than one. As you implied, that doesn’t mean you “can’t” do it with one, though, or that you are “wrong” for doing it. “Can” or “can’t” was not the question raised–nor should it be. Reasons for or against one versus two engines was the issue raised, and that’s perfectly valid. You can actually do it successfully on a Sea Doo with the right gas tank, but that doesn’t mean it’s the most prepared way to go.
My brand-new, perfectly broken-in, perfectly maintained, 2011, 4-stroke Yamaha failed at about 11 hours of use on me the last time I went up the river. That’s not the only time a single motor failed me. I also can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve been on boats that had to limp home on one engine–gas and diesel alike. I’m glad I wasn’t in the Gulf Stream in a sudden storm. Whether everyone realizes it or not, the warm water over the Gulf Stream can give rise to sudden storms.
It is wisest to carry EPIRB’s and sea anchors regardless of the number of engines you have. Satellite phones are great and very useful on the water as a safety device, too.
Some insurance companies will actually give you credit for having an EPIRB.
Sea anchors will HELP hold you bow-in to the prevailing current. They can save your life. However, try using one when you’re caught in a sudden storm with 30-50-MPH sustained winds (along with rain, hail, and lightning) blowing against the Gulf Stream current. You’ll be in taller seas than you’ve ever imagined within about 5 minutes or so, and a sea anchor will quickly prove to be no replacement for a motor to push you in the right direction and out
Lee, almost everything in life involves risk/reward. How about starting your car on Monday AM and riding I 26 to work. Their is risk/reward. Take starting a business. Not everyone is willing to invest their life savings (and years of hard work) to start their own company. Some would rather allow others to take that risk and would rather work for that business. Some people would not risk their own life to serve our country as a soldier or the community as a LEO. Others do.
Bottom line, each trip offshore involves risk. Some are willing to do it, and some aren’t. It is a service to have boards like this that share experience so we can learn from those (like yourself) who have gone before us. While an online board will NEVER replace on the water experience, we do learn what necessities are required to make it out and back safely.
I dare say that many people learned from Stressreliefs misfortune several years ago. I was looking to go offshore in my 20’ single engine boat that same day, but changed my mind when the “window of opportunity” shrunk with the NWS forecast. Simply put, I didn’t want to take the risk. Some did and made it out and back just fine. 2 others that day didn’t and had to be rescued.
The best thing to remember is the old boy scout motto: BE PREPARED! That goes for single engine trips to the ledge, riding in your car down I 26, starting a new business, marriage 
, or any aspect of life.
Hoping to take my single engine 20’ Grady to the ledge this week or next.
“If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel .” Benjamin Netanyahu
GW 205
F200 Yam
“Lee, almost everything in life involves risk/reward. How about starting your car on Monday AM and riding I 26 to work. Their is risk/reward. Take starting a business. Not everyone is willing to invest their life savings (and years of hard work) to start their own company. Some would rather allow others to take that risk and would rather work for that business. Some people would not risk their own life to serve our country as a soldier or the community as a LEO. Others do.”
I know and agree. That’s pretty much what I said above (if you read it all). Also, though, before starting a business, it pays to do some cost-benefit analysis, demographics, financial projections, etc., acknowledging that some ventures are riskier than others. Being informed and proactive in mitigating risk is wise in any venture. More to the point, when I ride up I-26, I wear my seat belt. Those who choose not to–that’s their choice, but they just increased their risk factor. So, that’s my point: I’m not saying you can’t or shouldn’t determing your own level risk, but only that people be closely in touch with what that level of risk really is and the more and less risky ways to go about the same thing, relatively speaking, without glossing over or making light of anything (not that you would do that yourself–speaking generally here).
Godspeed on your trip.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc.
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
thanks. Care to join me? You’ve got my number. I have several business trips this week and next but am going to be watching the forecast to see if there is a 2’ day when I am able to break away.
“If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel .” Benjamin Netanyahu
GW 205
F200 Yam
We do need to get together sometime soon one way or the other, man. I’ll give you a call.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc.
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862