coming in on one engine

I came in one time years ago on one engine. Luckily not much wind or current to deal with but it was still very difficult. I brought the boat into sheltered water near the marina and "practiced" the docking maneuver several times before entering the tight confines of my marina. This really helped and gave me a little more confidence that I could do this safely.
 
I recently purchased my first twin engine boat. I liked the idea of 2 engines as I thought I could be fully functional if one went out. I will have to practice on one engine next time I'm out. Is it easier on one engine with an I/O vs V drive?
 
I do 30-40% of my docking with one engine. That way I can make slower movements than if I have 2 engines engaged. With stern drives you are directing the thrust in the direction you want it to go so you never lose the control if you are only using one engine. That is one of the benefits of outdrives.
 
Jonathan,
Glad you and your boat are ok. I think I will also practice maneuvering on one engine, just in case. If you ever need help, give me a ring, I am really close to your boat and would be happy to help in any way I can.
 
skunkman said:
I recently purchased my first twin engine boat. I liked the idea of 2 engines as I thought I could be fully functional if one went out. I will have to practice on one engine next time I'm out. Is it easier on one engine with an I/O vs V drive?
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Yes, an I/O in infinitely easier on a single engine, especially in reverse. You just need to dock with the steering wheel more than the throttles

The biggest issue when losing an engine with an outdrive is if the lost engine has the power steering pump.
 
I lost one engine last night coming in and it was the starboard with the power steering and the current was bad but i find it easier dock with one drive more than both. I have a transom leak and rot i found out last week, pulling boat out and repairing it once and for all,
 
Engine failure in a twin I/O isn't too much of a deal, but with and inboard it changes everything. We had a boat load of people out for a big event one day and got a line wrapped around the shaft on our Silverton (inboards). Limped home 4 hours just fine on one, but pre-arranged to have a professional tow captain help us into our slip. Our marina has three 90 degree turns before our lay along, and there was no way it would have worked on one engine without help. He tied his 22' towboat alongside at the rear quarter, and with him working as our starboard engine, we maneuvered just fine.

Pilots train for engine-out procedures to include maneuvering. Wouldn't be a bad idea to try it in your boat as well.
 
Last spring after launch I had the same issue with no water from the port engine. Had to get my 330 from the service dock/marine lift over to my slip and back in with a stern in. Luckily it was calm and not all the boats were in the water yet. I wouldn't want to do it again. With both engines, she's a dream to handle. With one its not a lot of fun. Here was my trip:

Capture.JPG
 
Thanks gerry much appreciated!
And yea ill never attempt a single screw docking unless I absolutely need to. But I will still practice it
 
We have had a few boats over the time at our Marina come in on one engine, generally they call ahead, and there are people waiting around to help them in.

I have had to do it once do far, but I have I/o's so it's manageable but of course the running engine is not the one with the power steering pump!


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Twice I've had to come in on 1 engine, both times were not easy. The first was with my 370 in heavy winds with a strong current. We have a small marina, 18 slips and there were several of us coming back from a weekend outing. I lost my starboard engine halfway home so I waited for the others to get into their slips. Had at least a dozen people there to assist, needless to say I missed my slip and ended up in the slip next to me (he was out and not coming back until the following day.) We then muscled my boat with lines and people power to get me back in my slip. Ended up being a bad coil.

The second time was easier, lost an impeller. No help and got her in but it was still a white knuckle experience. Hopefully it will not happen again.
 
One time we had to come in on port engine only on our Donzi (triples). That was interesting around the dock. Boat draws attention naturally and being on one engine made us look worse than rookies lol
 
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