Auxiliary engine

[Alcyone]

Hi All

I have a Tohatsu 6hp auxiliary, only been out 3 times and on each trip it manages to bounce itself either releasing the mount and dropping down or releasing itself from its up position and becoming in its vertical position.

Every time this has happened it’s a battle to try to get it back to position overhanging the boat.

Are these engines actually worth carrying onboard ?

Are they even practical to use as I’m not sure how I’d even steer it in a practical sense .

In the event of a breakdown is it better to just anchor and enrol to a breakdown service like Seastart ?

Thoughts please ?

[Steve S]

Depends on the size of your boat. A good way to see if it's going to be ok to use is to try it.

 

Regarding the bouncing, sounds like something is wrong.

[Mal Thomas]

You are going through the same processes I went through when I carried an auxiliary, I used to lock mine in place and tie a rope around it just in case. I also found out you can only lay the motor on one side for fear of oil escaping into the carburettor and then being a non starter. Steering was an issue with a 640 quicksilver, but once it did bring me closer to shore to drop an Anchor, then get a tow in. Then there's the servicing costs, so I decided to invest servicing Money into Sea Start, albeit that is a little restrictive on distance from shore. But it saved the weight, released the space and all the hassle that went with it. 

[Graham Nash]

Im with Seastart. Its better to have it and not use it, than to need it and not have it. 

[Jim]

Don't carry a passport and the border force will come and get you,  & give you hot food & drink.   All free of course.  

[Alcyone]

Thanks for info, joining seastart seems a very good idea and I’m seriously considering either not using the engine or only taking for a trip near dangerous obstacles like the needles .. or I’ll simply keep the engine in tick over close to dodgy areas rather than risk a non start which presumably would be more likely than a failure whilst tick over .. I did think about tying it up but that feels counter productive certainly if I needed it I’d most likely be in a stressful safety avoidance situation. The mechanism is very basic there is no latching mechanism just sits in a recess.

also it only fails on a choppy journey with plenty of movement as I’m sure at some point it frees itself 

[Graham Nash]

I carried an aux a few times, but (like you) i couldnt see how Id steer it easily if needed. I purchased a tiller extension, but it all seemed a bit of a faff, so it now sits in the garage and i pay seastart instead.

[great white]

You could lock the steering on the auxiliary for most of the journey, and steer with the main engine as usual.

 

Then swap back for berthing or getting back on trailer.

 

Maybe practice to see if that works for you.

[sparky]

17 hours ago, Jim said:

Don't carry a passport and the border force will come and get you,  & give you hot food & drink.   All free of course.  

Laughable but so true Jim 👍 

[Mal Thomas]

Yes agree with Charlie lock the aux straight and steer with the main engine.