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B4
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Posted: Sat Mar 29th, 2008 07:59 pm |
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I’m looking at a couple boats. One is a project boat w/o a motor, the other has twin outboards on it. I know about what the fuel burn is on these things and if I went with the project boat and fitted a Suzuki DF 300 on the transom, I figure it would save some money on fuel. The other has a pair of Yamaha 200’s on it. Both are pretty reliable center consoles in the 23’ to 24’ range.
Besides performance, maintenance and fuel use, here’s my question;
How crazy is it to fish in Mexican waters with only one motor? From my understanding, there is no Sea Tow down there.
I almost feel a little silly asking this question since I’ve never had a mechanical problem with a single-engine outboard boat and I’ve trusted old, single-engine airplanes to take me thousands of feet above tera firma but it’s one of those nagging concerns.
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Inde
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Posted: Sat Mar 29th, 2008 09:31 pm |
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| I have the same situation. Go for the single engine and add a kicker. You can get a Nissan/Tohastu 4 stroke, 9 hp,and bracket for under $2K., delivered to your door. Just T off your main fuel line with a brass ball valve. Way to go. Twin o/b's suck you know what and are actually inefficent on a boat under approx. 28ft.
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bahiatrader
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| Joined: | Mon Apr 23rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Laughlin, Nevada USA |
| Posts: | 181 |
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Posted: Sat Mar 29th, 2008 11:39 pm |
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I had a 15 hp. kicker on my 19' with a 170 hp. i/o. The kicker would take my boat at about 9 mph. with three guys in it. I always take a marine radio, and file a float plan on it to Marina San Carlos*. I had to call for a tow some years back before I got my kicker, and they contacted another fishing boat. He was there in 20 min. or so, and towed us in (for a nominal fee, of course). My friend thought it was kind of high, but I said, "Your rope, or mine?" Adapters for mounting kickers onto the transom of your boat are sturdy and reasonably priced. I don't feel qualified to give advice on choosing which boat. I just know what worked for me. Either way, invest in a radio for it.
*I'm sorry, I don't remember the channel. I'm sure someone does.
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Mega Bite
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Posted: Sat Mar 29th, 2008 11:41 pm |
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I did the same
I bought a tohatsu
I kept the kicker in the center console out of the elements and was set up to take fuel off the main supply
also kept a one gallon can of fresh fuel in case the fuel was the problem
other things to consider - vhf, spair vhf, gps, spair gps, epirb, life raft, extra water, working bilge pump, 2nd pump, spair parts and fuses for pumps
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bahiatrader
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Posted: Sat Mar 29th, 2008 11:55 pm |
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| AND LOTS, AND LOTS, OF MONEY! Good luck.
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Stuart
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| Joined: | Wed Oct 26th, 2005 |
| Location: | Tempe, Arizona USA |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 04:27 pm |
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I ran a single 130 Honda four-stroke on my 23' Baja Bayrunner for 5 years. No kicker. Both the boat and motor were brand new. Never had a problem; the Honda was as reliable as could be. I wouldn't have felt as comfortable with a single if it was something older and used. If you slap a *new* single four-stroke on there, you should have no worries.
There isn't a Sea Tow, but as long as you have a good VHF, you can usually find help. Might cost you a few dollars, but you can get help. Lord knows, I've towed a few boats in at no charge. It's a karma thing - I might need it myself someday.
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B4
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 05:17 pm |
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Stuart wroteThere isn't a Sea Tow, but as long as you have a good VHF, you can usually find help. Might cost you a few dollars, but you can get help. Lord knows, I've towed a few boats in at no charge. It's a karma thing - I might need it myself someday.
Between your comment above and Bahiatrader's comment about "filing a float plan", I'm leaning towards a single. I really don't want to feed twins, not even new "fuel efficient" twins.
If I were to file a float plan and have problems when there wasn't anyone else around, would someone from Marina San Carlos come out to haul me in? I'm not concerned about the cost, it's not cheap off US waters either.
As for a kicker, I just can't do it. I just know I'll end up with an empty spot on my transom from driving the back roads and it vibrating off. That's actually another reason I don't want twins. Too much hanging off that transom while negotieating rough terrain. I'm trying to stay as small and portable as possible.
What does fuel cost down there these days? I hear diesel is in the $2 range. I saw another boat that's a little more than I was planning on spending with a single diesel. Maybe I should consider something like that.
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Stuart
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 08:21 pm |
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I think you'll be fine with a single, good four-stroke outboard.
Diesel was about $2.10 US a gallon when I was down there last week (5.7 pesos a liter). This was at the Pemex stations in/around Puerto Penasco, but is fairly standard across Mexico. Or is supposed to be, anyway. Gas was higher. I didn't pay close attention, but still in the 2.40 range, I believe?
I think there is a surcharge on fuel if you fill up at the marina (someone else might be able to chime in with the difference in price). I generally fill my boat at a Pemex station before I launch it, then buy fuel at the marina as needed. Cuts some of the cost when I'm there for a week or so.
While diesels are generally viewed as more reliable than a gas inboard, your still looking at a *single* engine, so I don't know that I'd base the decision entirely on that. Also depends on the diesel - the newer common rail Volvo and Yanmar diesels are very quiet, hardly any smoke. I'd have to look at that decision on a case-by-case basis, based on the boat.
Filing a float plan is always a good idea. We do that in Puerto Penasco regularly. My thought has always been "It gives them a starting point to look for the bodies!" 
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B4
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 09:00 pm |
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Stuart wrote: I think you'll be fine with a single, good four-stroke outboard.
Diesel was about $2.10 US a gallon when I was down there last week (5.7 pesos a liter). This was at the Pemex stations in/around Puerto Penasco, but is fairly standard across Mexico. Or is supposed to be, anyway. Gas was higher. I didn't pay close attention, but still in the 2.40 range, I believe?
That's not enough to make a difference in my decision. I was under the impression gas was closer to $3+ while diesel was in the $2 range. Combined with the lower consumption, the difference could have been about half the fuel cost with a diesel but if the costs are that close, It's not worth it to go diesel.
Filing a float plan is always a good idea. We do that in Puerto Penasco regularly. My thought has always been "It gives them a starting point to look for the bodies!"
Grim ...... Thanks.
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