I'd like to hear from the twin engine proponents. How many of you have needed the mechanical security of twins? That is, how many of you have had to 'get home' on one engine due to mechanical failure of the other engine or transmission?
Not belts and hoses. Not fuel problems. Not prop, shaft or rudder damage due to striking something. I'm interested solely in breakdowns due to mechanical problems.
And would the break downs have been repairable at sea? Provided you had the spares, tools and skills.
Many have made the point that maintenance, preparation and seamanship are more important than the number of engines. I agree with that but I want to hear from those who got home because they had more than one engine.
Yes, I am a proponent of twins over single power. This is not due to many engine failures, though I have had my share. I have never lost a vacation due to a mechanical failure, though I know several single owners who have spent the greater portion of theirs in a shipyard, far from home.
To specifically respond to PBs post
1 Lost a starter a day from home, at Lasqueti Island. Due to strong headwinds, headed to Secret Cove instead of home to Vancouver, took the dead started home on the ferry, returned the following weekend with it rebuilt.
2 Lost an oil cooler at Sarah Point (Desolation Sound) at the beginning of vacation. The low oil pressure horn was the first indication of a problem. a hole, 1/4" diameter, had opened through the aluminum case, allowing a stream of oil to drain into the pan beneath the engine. Once I found where it was going, I put a bucket to catch the stream and used that engine only when needed for docking. Returning the oil to the engine worked well until I returned home 3 weeks later. Got the oil cooler repaired and it still holds on.
3 On checking the oil, discovered a milkshake in the sump. Took it in on the other engine, got the source of the water identified (raw water pump) and repaired, several oil changes to see if the engine would still run, and set out again on both, only to have that one bend a valve in mid Georgia Straight, and require a full rebuild. I was able to postpone that repair from June to September, so as to save my summer vacation, which was then done at 6.5 knots on one engine instead of at 8 knots on two.
Added benefit, I learned to dock in current and wind on the Starboard engine only (no thrusters).