Piloting twin engine on one engine

[drjbarnes]

Any advice appreciated!

My starboard engine has been diagnosed with a “stacked crank bearing.” My marina can not take my boat (SeaRay 340 SDA, 1988) out of the water due to their lift limitations.

My only option seems to be piloting her to Iuka, MS. The trip is approximately 80 miles through Wheeler Lock and Wilson Lock on the TN River. I’m not confident I can do it myself as I have very limited experience with operating the boat on a single screw. I brought the boat back to the marina and maneuvered into the slip when the engine failure occurred, only about a 5 mile trip in perfect conditions.

I’d appreciate any tips you can offer or if anyone knows someone in the North Alabama area who would be willing to help, I’d be happy to pay for their time and expertise.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Hold on.
1. Your marina cant lift a 340?
2. Nearest marina that is 80 miles away?
I got that right?

 

[Stee6043]

That would be a miserable 80 mile trip. And through two locks? Yuck.

Do you have a Tow Boat US membership? This type of thing is generally covered, I think. If you're not a member now I think there is a 30 day grace period before this type of towing is available but given the situation it might be worth the wait. Their terms are on their website, might be worth a look. You may also want to check your existing insurance policy - many offer towing passively.

EDIT - One more thought - are you aware of any launch ramps nearby that could accommodate a big trailer? You could potentially find a local boat hauler that could pull you out of the water the old fashioned way (up the ramp)...

 

[hughespat57]

Take it out and practice.
Then decide if really uncomfortable after some practice see what a tow would cost. Insurance may even cover it due to the locks.

You will be able to hold a course with a little speed and left rudder.

Coming in to dock or locks it will want to hug the stbd side. You’ll need to learn to back down the port to straighten out, going a little past straight ahead so when you go forward again it straightens out.

Remember using the rudders the stern is going to swing to the wall. Getting off the wall mean backing down to kick the bow out, perhaps even needing to use a spring line to got pointed away from the wall before going forward with rudders amidship.

Definitely two man trip.
Practice now it can be done

 

[northern]

Based on our experience you get one shot at landing on one engine. Make sure you will not damage the transmission by letting the prop fee wheel. Go slow and go when the wind is low. That is what we did. I had a starter fail and had to go 30 miles on one engine. Normal cruising speed for us is 6Knots at 1,200 RPM to get the same on one engine we had to run it at 1,8.00 RPM. Get help docking. Plan on 2 days to get your 80 miles

 

[Skybolt]

I had that year 340. I am an accomplished captain and have had to do this before, because myself or some was away and stuck. Never for 80 miles. At best you will only be doing 10mph and probably not even that. That will be a 10-12hr trip, possibly longer with the locks and could easily turn into a long two day event.

You can't let the dead engine's transmission spin and you will need to lock the shaft. The prop will cause a lot of drag and maneuvering will be non existent. It will want to go in circles and be next to impossible to go straight.

Personally I would find a closer marine that can haul your boat. Then if needed, transport it to where it needs to be repaired. I would also get a tow to that marina. Operating your boat in that condition is a mistake and as mention ins may cover it.

 

[Woody]

Are there sections of the river where currents might be a problem. Add that to some unfavorable breezes and maybe steering could become an issue. I think I'd try to find a trailer to pull it and move to the marina for repair.

Maybe....Does your marina have a bulkhead you can tie up to that the lift can reach? Pull the engine when the boat is in the water.

I did near 100mi on one engine once. The weather was what you'd call pretty good normally but the autopilot was working hard sometimes to stay near the course.

 

[PlayDate]

For 80 miles .....I would pull the prop on the dead engine. No drag means more speed and much...much...much better handling. Your water is still warm enough to dive the boat and pull the prop. You will not have a problem handling the boat without the prop.

I would also bring a buddy along to handle the lines.

Do you have a rod knock on the engine or is it seized? A stacked crank bearing is one that is worn down to the point the tabs that hold it in place spin and push up against the rod bearings.....not easy to diagnose without tearing the engine down.

I just checked activecaptain.com and the trip is pretty reasonable since you will be going up river for most of the trip. There should be plenty of Captains to hire to go along with you. If I wasn't in Virginia......that would be a nice trip to take.

Check with your marina.....I'm sure they can recommend someone to Captain the boat for you and pull the prop.

 

[bobeast]

The locks would be my only major concern. As long as you are moving you will have steerage. It's the station keeping part that would be really tricky on a single engine. Still doable. You'll just need to keep your fenders out and be ready to fend off with your boat hook.

Also 80 miles at hull speed makes for a long journey so you will probably have to plan for a lay-over. Finally, docking in the dark on a single engine would be fraught with peril, so plan on arriving during daylight. Call or hail the marina on arrival so they can send someone out to help with docking.

 

[Scott215]

I would absolutely have it put on a boat transportation trailer and have it sold I would not make a hundred mile ride on one screw

 

[drjbarnes]

That would be a miserable 80 mile trip. And through two locks? Yuck.

Do you have a Tow Boat US membership? This type of thing is generally covered, I think. If you're not a member now I think there is a 30 day grace period before this type of towing is available but given the situation it might be worth the wait. Their terms are on their website, might be worth a look. You may also want to check your existing insurance policy - many offer towing passively.

EDIT - One more thought - are you aware of any launch ramps nearby that could accommodate a big trailer? You could potentially find a local boat hauler that could pull you out of the water the old fashioned way (up the ramp)...

I have BoatUS, they have no providers in this area and no independent contractors either. I’m wondering why I pay them? There are lots of boaters on Lakes Guntersville, Wheeler, Wilson and Pickwick but no BoatUS service available.
I can swim from my slip to the boat ramp (and I’m a very poor swimmer) but I can not find anyone in the area with a functional trailer and rig to pull it out.
Thankfully some of my dock neighbors have volunteered to help. They are all experienced boaters, so that’s my best option at present. I recently had surgery on my right hand and it’s still in the healing period.

 

[drjbarnes]

Just got the cast off, so me driving the boat is not possible. This marina is downstream so I figured it would be an easier trip. There is a marina upstream but it’s about the same distance.

Hold on.
1. Your marina cant lift a 340?
2. Nearest marina that is 80 miles away?
I got that right?

Hold on.
1. Your marina cant lift a 340?
2. Nearest marina that is 80 miles away?
I got that right?

Yep they can’t lift my boat even when the water is at full summer pool. It’s hard to believe but they don’t have a trailer or rig with enough power to pull it out. Besides I will never let the mechanic here work on my boat. Last time they did, the mechanic forgot to secure the fuel line clamp and the boat caught fire and was totaled.