What if your engine fails ?

Hi Guys

I'm getting my 1st boat tomorrow, a 16' Mayland with a cuddy. It comes with a 30hp yamaha outboard and I am aware that some people also have an auxiliary engine. Is it a complete no-no to go out without an auxiliary ? I have to say I regularly see the lobster fisherman going out without one but I'd like to know what the general craic is about this. If you do go out without an auxiliary, and your engine fails.... what then ?

Buy two paddles, they can at least keep you off the rocks.

Buy two paddles, they can at least keep you off the rocks.

I did think of that but would paddles/oars be 'man' enough to move a 16' boat ?

at least have an anchor it will stop you ending up on the rocks but i would throwa little 2.5 or 3 aux on her nice tidy little boat safe boating

I'm new to this boating aswell but if you where 9-10 miles out how long would it take to get you back in with a 4hp aux..
I think a radio would also be a good investment

Hi Guys

I'm getting my 1st boat tomorrow, a 16' Mayland with a cuddy. It comes with a 30hp yamaha outboard and I am aware that some people also have an auxiliary engine. Is it a complete no-no to go out without an auxiliary ? I have to say I regularly see the lobster fisherman going out without one but I'd like to know what the general craic is about this. If you do go out without an auxiliary, and your engine fails.... what then ?

The first thing you do is set your anchor to stabalise the situation, then you contact the coast guard that is what they are all about ideally by vhf if you dont have a radio use your phone.
you might be able to contact local lobster boat men if you know them and have there numbers in your phone, just incase you need a tow.
all the best with your new boat. the mayland is a grand boat that will be pushed along quite well with 30hp but i would say it's more suited to inshore waters and not anywhere near 10 miles off shore.
good luck and tight lines

And remember with a phone you can only make one call at a time.
VHF can reach loads of people with one call

Hi Guys

I made a post earlier but it doesn't seem to have made it to the forum ?

What I said was.... I do not intend going out 9-10 miles ! I will be out in Inver Bay and no more than 3/4 mile from landfall in any direction and have no intention of going out to open sea.. Given this what would be the best safety precaution ?

phone isn't always going to have a signal out in the water. Invest in a VHF radio and antena. Contrary to belief, YOU DO NOT NEED A LICENCE. My engine died in Galway bay during the summer and i was able to radio the coast guard who co-ordinated with the RNLI in Galway. They are smashing lads and said the licence is NOT needed - just don't let anybody **** around with it especially on C16.
With your GPS, you can give them your location. For curiosity, I check the phone signal o2 had none and my with had none with meteor so never rely on the phone

phone isn't always going to have a signal out in the water. Invest in a VHF radio and antena. Contrary to belief, YOU DO NOT NEED A LICENCE. My engine died in Galway bay during the summer and i was able to radio the coast guard who co-ordinated with the RNLI in Galway. They are smashing lads and said the licence is NOT needed - just don't let anybody **** around with it especially on C16.]
With your GPS, you can give them your location. For curiosity, I check the phone signal o2 had none and my with had none with meteor so never rely on the phone

So, what length was your boat, did you have an aux' engine and did you have any other means of propulsion e.g.oars, and did you have to pay the RNLI for rescue?

just to clarify one point, its definately illegal to operate a vhf without a licence,
i think there is a fine or 25,000 euros, it may not be enforced much but they
might start some day. having said that if you are in a life and death situation
you would obviously use it

if the wind and tide is sending you somewhere you want dont want to go
in a 16 foot boat you probably wont be able to much against it with oars

messing about in small boats can be a dangerous activity, you should
definately begin with some trips with someone who knows what they are doing,
and do the two day course as well

the basic safety kit for any sea going boat is 1......... lifejackets
2..........auxillary engine
3........... vhf radio
4.......... flares
5......... fire extinguisher
you might get away for a long/short time without any of the above . but can any of us really afford to be caught out in a situation where we would be out at sea, in difficulty and in danger because we dident have one of the above.

the basic safety kit for any sea going boat is 1......... lifejackets
2..........auxillary engine
3........... vhf radio
4.......... flares
5......... fire extinguisher
you might get away for a long/short time without any of the above . but can any of us really afford to be caught out in a situation where we would be out at sea, in difficulty and in danger because we dident have one of the above.

id put the need for an anchor well before 2/3/4 or 5

i agree the anchor is important, standard equipment on any boat,
what about a gps/plotter so he knows where he is? charts? navigation notes

i think you should begin by doing a course and making some trips
with someone who knows the area and knows about boats

i agree the anchor is important, standard equipment on any boat,
what about a gps/plotter so he knows where he is? charts? navigation notes

you forgetting all about a COMPASS john

Guys

I must reiterate; l I do not intend going out of the bay where I can see Land at 3 points N/W/E and the furthest point to land would be no more than 3/4 mile max'. I do not intend to be lackadaisical in any way but I think that given this the need for GPS VHF or stuff like that is perhaps a little in excess of what might be required in this situation ?

Life jackets absolutely and stuff like 1st aid etc charts and anchors will be without doubt part of our kit. I am just wondering about the situation of possible engine failure in an environment where land is not more that 3/4 mile away and within a relatively small bay area.

Thanks for all of the advice

flynnboy where peoples opinions differ on which piece of equipment is more important, very simple solution, ask your nearest rnli office what would they recommend. a good anchor? or a small auxcillary engine . i think you will find they will tell you an auxcillary engine is a bit further up the list than your anchor. doesent have to be fancy just a 3 or 4hp . you pick them up second hand most of them have very little use.. as theyve always been auxcillaries about 300 to 350 euros should get you a good one.cheap for piece of mind, and answers your question what you do when your engine breaks down

if you try rowing against a bit of a breeze some day, you see you wont get very far.

vhf radio is very cheap, you'd be crazy not to have one, even with lifejacket
on you'll be dead in an hour from the cold if nobody is coming to get you

messing about in small boats can be a dangerous activity, you should
definately begin with some trips with someone who knows what they are doing,
and do the two day course as well

What's this 2 day course ?

The first thing you need to do is have your outboard serviced by a competent mechanic,this will give you some peace of mind.Then keep an eye out for an auxillary. An anchor and a handheld VHF are essential,phones are not reliable. If you are fishing within the bay then a paddle will keep you off the rocks if needed. Also talk to the locals about tides,currents etc. Basic common sense and preparation are most important.