Search results

Many of our older engines require some splash oil for lubrication and cooling. Generally most engines will do well down to about 50% capacity. In the good all days engines were expected to consume oil so they were designed with additional oil capacity to ensure you would not run too low. The...

Don’t despair. Cutting up the old tank is time consuming but not technical. You may find a tank from a big rig that will fit. Your capacity will be significantly reduced as most truck fuel tanks are 125-150 gallons but the tanks are cheap. Fashion a cradle to rest the tank on. Truck tanks...

Better than this one on my Humvee,

I don’t know much about trawlers and that’s why i’m here. I just did the math and I figure roughly 85 hours cruising. That’s a long ways rolling around on the ocean. I suppose that the trip is theoretically possible from a fuel perspective and I would expect that with good weather there is no...

Running a smallish fishing vessel I was very comfortable working the throttle on the single screw approaching the dock. When I graduated to a twin screw I found the transmissions were my friend. Keeping things slow seems to work best for me when guiding 35,000 lbs to the dock. I admit that...

Superior skills didn’t help the Crabber in Oregon that capsized his 40’ boat with a full load of gear on the aft deck. I can’t find the video now but the vessel did a slow roll over after leaving the fuel dock. It looked like the C.G. of his gear exceeded his seamanship ability...

I mostly agree. In my younger years I sailed. I single handed a fair amount and for a time had a sailboat with a less than reliable engine. I suspect many here were sailors at some point so you understand docking a vessel under sail in a slip without a functioning engine can be a handful...

The video I posted on page 1 of this thread was an attempt at humor. Both sides of the twin/single debate tend to be passionate about their choice. I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer. I think the answer is that it depends. It depends on the owner as well as the mission.

More prep this coming season. In September headed North up the Coast to Brookings, OR. The following Spring North to Southern B.C. and possibly S.E. Alaska. Meantime, weekend proving trips to the California Channel Islands for some diving.

I don’t care for the pain, but the Lehman’s are pretty accessible. By the time you install a single in the middle you are crawling around anyway. V-8’s are another animal. I can see where servicing them would be a PITA.

I just converted to a Garmin autopilot as part of a refresh of the existing electronics. As part of the update I got the new Garmin chart plotter, radar, and digital autopilot. We were able to retain the existing autopilot motor. That saved quite a bit on the install and cost of the system...

Agreed. On a nautical mile per gallon my Twin Comanche does as well as my Cessna 182. With respect to training there is no question that you have to remain sharp when piloting a multi-engine aircraft. I’ve had three engine out situations in a Twin and all ended well at an airport. In my...

Aluminum, because that’s what they make planes from...:popcorn:

If you are near an airport not at all. Off field landings are always a little dicey. You don’t get to do the landing twice. As evidence that it can work out I walked away with a bruise. The plane didn’t fare as well.

The debate over twins versus singles reminds me of the video of twin engine airplanes versus single, They both have their pluses and minuses. The plus for the twin generally fall into maneuverability and redundancy. For a single it’s about operating costs. While losing a single engine in a...

The regulatory process involved in certifying a new power plant in an existing airframe would be daunting. Just getting a different certified aircraft engine approved for an existing airframe is tough. Just like automotive applications, range and charging infrastructure are significant...

I don’t know much about wood boats. What i’ve learned from my boat neighbors in my marina is that they are labors of love. Most have hundreds if not thousands of hours of labor and the projects are far from complete. It seems that the deeper you get the more problems that you find. If you...

I agree. I looked for a boat without Teak decks. I found a Grand Banks 42 that had the decking removed and holes patched. The previous owner ran out of energy/funds before the painting was completed. The underlayment was in good shape so all that was required was to complete the prep and...

Off topic a bit, but can an older style electric pump be inserted ahead of the lift pump in a pinch if the lift pump has failed? I’m thinking an older Carter type pump that delivers 4-7 PSI and 50 GPH?

You need some experience handling a larger vessel before you head off. Course work is good but boat handling in real conditions, wind, current, and practice docking are very important. The mass of a trawler takes some getting used to. Despite the fact that I had experience with a 30’ sailboat...

Everything you want to know about lubricating oil, https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/. There are articles about things like TBN, shearing of the molecules, conventional versus synthetic, tests of different oils, and so forth. This is not a promotional site, just factual data.

I’d rather have a 20 year old well maintained hull and engine. IMHO, it will cost you less in the long run. I like the idea of a twin over a single. Personal preference. The 20 year old boat will have a better percentage of value at resale.

Don’t mix with the diesel for the engine. Bad news. If you have a diesel or oil burning furnace you can use it there. It’s also useful for starting burn piles and stumps, just don’t tell the EPA.

Boats are a bit like small planes. On the West Coast we routinely travel across mountains that would terrify a flat lander. On the other hand flat landers fly around Thunderstorms that scare the heck out of me. My take on the discussion is that you have to understand yours and your boats...

I had an electrical problem that cut power to the solenoid on an old 6BT. Used safety wire to hold it open and continued on. KISS Keep it simple stupid. I love the old pre-emissions engines. There are fewer things that can fail.