Sloooow Trolling with Diesels??

[elreyos]

Frank, thanks for the tip. I only use it to get to my slip or the fuel dock. Fortunetly it's only a short distance from the entrance to my slip. I don't get any vibration when in slow vessel, but the engines definetly don't run as smooth. I've learned that if we don't come off plane about 2 miles out my neighbors are quite unhappy. Maybe I'll try it with one scew.

 

[Lake Erie Boater]

Is there any detriment to the diesels themselves when running them at idle for extended periods (with trolling valves installed). Do you have to "clear them out" after so much time etc? Do they cool themselves properly etc?

 

[fwebster]

Nope....diesels are quite happy at any speed as long as it is at or between the manufacturer's recommended idle and cruise speeds and as long as the engine load is proper. In fact, after they are broken in, diesels are more efficient when run at a constant engine speed, but that seldom happens in a pleasure boat.

Diesels don't "load up"...........like some gas engines seem to, but when you run a diesel at rated rpms in an unloaded condition some of the fuel charge isn't needed and leaves the engine as carbon which is a solid and can plug up exhaust passages. This almost never occurs on main engines but frequently does happen on generators since we often run them with less than a full load. If we only need one a/c or don't need the water heater, we leave them off and the generator, which is designed to run under a full load, ends up running with a 50-70% load and the exhaust passages can get cloggged with carbon. Westerbekes are particularly bad to clog up their exhaust risers when run in an unloaded condition....the good news is that a Westerbeke replacement riser only costs about $70 and a 6 year old can change it.

 

[osd9]

....... Maybe I'll try it with one scew.

With both engines in gear, I idle at about 6-7 knots, and make too big a wake to leave my neighborhood . I do not have trolling valves, so I have to leave the "harbor", about 3/4 miles, on one engine. There is an "S" turn to navigate and traffic both ways in the narrow canals. It deffinitely takes some getting used to to control your boat in close quarters, at low speed, on one engine.

One "trick" that I've learned that works pretty good for me is I put the port engine in forward, and fully lower the port trim tab (the Stbd switch at the helm bow down). That configuration kind of counters each other a bit. I also throttle up the port engine to about 700-750 RPMs. I still have to go in and out on the stbd engine a bit around the "S" turn, but going straight is a lot easier this way.

 

[Lake Erie Boater]

Thanks Frank, looks like with Trolling Valves I'm good to go.

Thanks Dom, I will have to try that method as I noticed the boat made more "wake" than I liked when in a no wake area.

 

[elreyos]

Dom, I'll give it try when we are at the boat over New Years.

 

[osd9]

Don't expect miracles, but it does make a difference with my 410DA. Play with your throttle on the engine that's in gear. If your single tab down pulls more/less adjust the throttle.

Let me know how/if it works for you....I'm curious

 

[elreyos]

Will do. I'm a novice so I'll try it in open water. The conditions should perfect on the lake as this time of year the water is usaully flat. These cats have soooo much torque that even with one scew the boat moves along smartly.

Andre'