Size of engine room is important but so is layout of ER and Lazerette or work area. There is a television show "Selling Yachts" and a couple was looking. The man was rather tall. Great work area forward of the engine room with table, drawers, all you'd dream of. Just the ceiling was 4" lower than his height. That to me is far worse than being a few inches short at the engines. He bought the boat. I'd sure like to know how that turned out. I've seen ER's that looked packed but no wasted space and everything was fully accessible. Things like the watermaker on a shelf over other items, a standard factory arrangement.
Old fat men and engine rooms
- Thread starter capt.George
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Yup! Not really extraordinary mileage. Top condition engines - 350 cid / 255 hp each. Very clean bottom, correct props, little over half load aboard.
With one engine only running at low rpm and moving boat through water at just 5 to 5.5 knts... in calm water, with other prop left freewheeling (BTW - BW VD tranys allow that).. 2.75 to 3 nmpg is attained. With twins running at low rpm for 6 knots 2 nmpg becomes avg. 7.58 knts is our Tolly's calced hull speed (at 7 or just above speed running twins we get only 1.5 nmpg) For full plane at 16 to 17 knts Tolly averages 1 nmpg.
Well designed planing hull, good condition gassers, clean bottom, correct props, and not too much carry-on load = OK mileage in the water. Being able to plane out at 16/17 knts or above speeds when desired or needed can be priceless. That is speed we travel when long distance needs to be accomplished from dawn to dusk.
One time I needed to run quickly away from oncoming and potentially horrific multiple boat traffic problems. WOT at 21/22 knts really helped out... only needed that speed for a short duration... minutes.
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34' LOA / 32' +/- LWL / 17K lbs. - dry
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Wifey B: Well, I can top you guys....we use less than 1 gallon of gas an hour at cruise.
Wifey B: Confession time for anyone who didn't get it. Notice I said less than a gallon of GAS. True as we use diesel and so don't take any gas.
Spottsville
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Well, if I were bragging, I would point out that Semper Fi has an integral 500 gallon fiberglass fuel tank built into the hull that gives her an easy 1300 mile range with reserves. We traveled from Jacksonville, FL to Kentucky Lake this summer with a bit less (25-30 gallons) than a full tank on departure. We topped off with 243 gallons in Apalachicola, FL and came the rest of the way without adding any additional fuel.
Now thats a great Cruise!
kulas44
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I think a stand up full access engine room is great,,,in a ship. Certainly not in our boat sizes. Tremendous waste of space IMO.
healhustler
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I've been in quite a few Great Harbour N-series boats, and if I ever saw a boat that hasn't suffered from wasted space, the N-series is it. In addition to a cavernous engine room, it has a cavernous bosons locker (storage) right next to it, and a cavernous lazzarette next to that. If you opened the stern, I could probably dock my famously bulbous Krogen Manatee into it without touching anywhere, even though the GH is only a foot longer. The fact that the engine room is cavernous is just another element you tend to find in a boat that was built to be a cavern.
R_p_ryan
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Wow, you guys have some nice engine rooms - it's this kind of envy that gets me into trouble. Last night I was considering laying down some indoor-outdoor carpeting along the sides of my single Perk but then thought I'd be ridiculed for having carpet in my engine room.
But art? That exudes the kind of confidence that says "I don't need spare parts or tools onboard"
Technology helps in some tight areas, like having a cheap pencil camera on a telescopic pole. I might invent a roomba like thing that roams the bilge and keeps it clean and dry.
My raw water pump is a bitch to get to, since there are hose-clamp tails that love to scratch my arms. I would like to replace the mechanical fuel, raw water and fresh water pumps with electric ones that are mounted on a bulkhead, but I don't know if the reliability is good enough.
Seems like the engine designers keep everything compact. But on a boat I think the rules are little different. Take the heat exchanger and oil cooler off the engine and put em on a bulkhead. Easy access plus it's more obvious to see problems. Seems like that would do wonders for engine life.
But art? That exudes the kind of confidence that says "I don't need spare parts or tools onboard"
Technology helps in some tight areas, like having a cheap pencil camera on a telescopic pole. I might invent a roomba like thing that roams the bilge and keeps it clean and dry.
My raw water pump is a bitch to get to, since there are hose-clamp tails that love to scratch my arms. I would like to replace the mechanical fuel, raw water and fresh water pumps with electric ones that are mounted on a bulkhead, but I don't know if the reliability is good enough.
Seems like the engine designers keep everything compact. But on a boat I think the rules are little different. Take the heat exchanger and oil cooler off the engine and put em on a bulkhead. Easy access plus it's more obvious to see problems. Seems like that would do wonders for engine life.
I think the thing to keep in mind is that the engines are not designed for specific boats, so they then do what they can to adapt them to the many different hulls and usages. A little of this, a little of that. Not a lot of volume on specific installations. Then often it's a conclusion that something has to be less than ideal so what will that be.
dbbentley
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Engine room was a prerequisite when we were boat shopping. It was surprising how many boats, including some that are very popular, were ruled out because of that prerequisite. Happy with the space offered by the Halvorsen.
kapnd
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IMO, organization of the ER is more important than stand up headroom.
What I want is easy access to oil and fuel filters, oil and belt changes, fluids checks, bilge pump, raw water strainer and impeller.
Most of this is bend over work anyway, and the deck is a great place to stretch out your back and legs when you're done.
RP, you can get little rubber thimbles that cover the exposed ends of those pesky hose clamps nicely, check with your local hydraulic hose store.
I bought a big bagfull, as my skin tears easily, and my nice white engine room looks pretty gross when spattered with blood!
What I want is easy access to oil and fuel filters, oil and belt changes, fluids checks, bilge pump, raw water strainer and impeller.
Most of this is bend over work anyway, and the deck is a great place to stretch out your back and legs when you're done.
RP, you can get little rubber thimbles that cover the exposed ends of those pesky hose clamps nicely, check with your local hydraulic hose store.
I bought a big bagfull, as my skin tears easily, and my nice white engine room looks pretty gross when spattered with blood!
Xsbank
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Once at my marina an owner of a Canoe Cove asked me if I could help him start his starboard engine. He was fairly round (rounder than me at the time) but his port engine lived under his bunk and the starboard one lived under a closet where he had to pull out all the clothing and remove the floorboard; then, with a flashlight you could see the Cat engine lurking down there with the batteries etc., sitting on its v-drive. I refused. Enough to give you nightmares.
Yet another reason why single engine boats are vastly superior to twins in the <50' category.While I can't stand up in my engine room, there are nice 24" wide walk (crawl) ways down each side of the engine and generator. Remaining engine room equipment is out board of the walk ways.
Ted
Agreed on the single engine access. It's too bad that they never made a left / right configuration for a twin engine boat and have the serviceable components ( pumps, filters, alt. etc. on the inside. ) In my case ( Kha Shing 40 @ Twin Cummins ) I have by boat standards a decent engine room but one engine is almost non - serviceable. Frank B.
kulas44
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Detroit did, back in the days of the inline 53 and 71 series. EVERYTHING could be had on the centerline. Exhaust was usually outboard.
psneeld
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I agree...stand up engine room is OK to walk around and say how pretty it is...but ultimately it is where you need to get in it and how high/low the component is makes the difference.
Mine might be a crawl in....but if necessary the floor comes up to give stand up room...but you still need to lay down to get to most systems and engine components so standing headroom is just a waste of space 99.9 percent of the year.
It really depends on a lot...from what you really do down there to just ego....
Except for a few models...that standing head room may come at a price of a much bigger bat than you need, can afford, can maintain....etc....
If none of those matter...well then I AM jealous and would love a 60 something with standing head room in the ER.....
But I'll have to wait to see what Santa brings.
Mine might be a crawl in....but if necessary the floor comes up to give stand up room...but you still need to lay down to get to most systems and engine components so standing headroom is just a waste of space 99.9 percent of the year.
It really depends on a lot...from what you really do down there to just ego....
Except for a few models...that standing head room may come at a price of a much bigger bat than you need, can afford, can maintain....etc....
If none of those matter...well then I AM jealous and would love a 60 something with standing head room in the ER.....
But I'll have to wait to see what Santa brings.
sbu22
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I just found this thread. LMAO!!! capn George - I'd say I'm about 75% qualified + bonus points for having a few odds and ends of broken parts. Yeah, it's getting harder, and it's also getting harder to find skilled hands to do the stuff I can't competently do myself due to access - they're getting old, too. But, all in all mostly workable - I just do not go outboard of the engines or forward of the genset.
I'm not a live aboard or an extensive cruiser. I believe my interest and criteria regarding ER clearance and layout would increase exponentially were I to become one. The ER would definitely contain a single engine and at least 60" headroom. I'm 6'2" and have helped a friend in his 60" ER - worked fine.
Boydski! You've killed it! I keep a pretty clean ER - uh, but it's not decorated. Or, coordinated, spacious, clinically clean, etc, etc. But then, the coup de grace, framed Vargas on the bulkheads. I'm overwhelmed and sick to my stomach with envy. Beautiful!
I'm not a live aboard or an extensive cruiser. I believe my interest and criteria regarding ER clearance and layout would increase exponentially were I to become one. The ER would definitely contain a single engine and at least 60" headroom. I'm 6'2" and have helped a friend in his 60" ER - worked fine.
Boydski! You've killed it! I keep a pretty clean ER - uh, but it's not decorated. Or, coordinated, spacious, clinically clean, etc, etc. But then, the coup de grace, framed Vargas on the bulkheads. I'm overwhelmed and sick to my stomach with envy. Beautiful!
Yep, the Camano is pretty accessible. Regardless, the older you get, the more work you're going to have to farm out.
I don't think I would let a cramped engine space make me not consider an otherwise "perfect" boat for me and my family. Every boat is a compromise and that larger engine room space has to come out of somewhere.
FF
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" Every boat is a compromise and that larger engine room space has to come out of somewhere."
To me another individual "compromise" is a huge head space.
While it may serve double purpose as a library for guys , its still a 95%+ unoccupied space.
On our 50 ft boat the outside space and PH was optimized for our use m, requiring a smaller below deck space.
A "wet head" where the Skipper toilet is bolted inside a std shower pan , with 360 deg curtain works as well as a seperiate compartment .
Common on smaller boats , but works as well in larger craft where space saving is desired.
To me another individual "compromise" is a huge head space.
While it may serve double purpose as a library for guys , its still a 95%+ unoccupied space.
On our 50 ft boat the outside space and PH was optimized for our use m, requiring a smaller below deck space.
A "wet head" where the Skipper toilet is bolted inside a std shower pan , with 360 deg curtain works as well as a seperiate compartment .
Common on smaller boats , but works as well in larger craft where space saving is desired.
Yes, my head doubles as a shower but as you point out it's unoccupied most of the time so that's a pretty good compromise.
We have a hot/cold transom shower and when appropriate, this is where we take showers. Non cleanup afterwards and no moving stuff out of the way so it won't get wet.
Of course our first shower choice is the marina shower with unlimited water..
Pack Mule
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We have a wet head as well . Just last year we put in a flush mount euro shower head a faucet . We gained about 7" of wall space taking out the old faucet . In a small wet head 7" is a bunch .
kulas44
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I would choose a decent head, with seperate shower/sink/toilet,storage,etc, kinda like home, over a standup engine room everytime. I visit that space a lot and spend way more time in the head than the engine room. My wife doesnt care about the engine room but she likes the shower with a place to sit while shaving her legs and shelves for her incredible array of conditioners and shampoos.
In our thoughtfully well appointed, space saving/giving, and overall very roomy 34' x 12'6" Tollycraft tri Cabin we have two fully equipped heads... large one in master stateroom and a quite feasible one in front V-Berth room. Being 6'1', a life time heavy-weight lifter and staying in trim at 235 lbs for decades... both heads are very comfortable for me, including the use of their integral showers. Admiral is fine with then too! One or two separate shower rooms would eat up too much space in a boat our size. Larger boats' separated showers are OK.
In SF Delta, where we boat spring summer fall, the fresh water is for swimming. Showers are not normally required during our multi day play times. I figure that showering consumes less than .001% of time aboard... wet heads work well as space savers/givers on our Tolly!
In SF Delta, where we boat spring summer fall, the fresh water is for swimming. Showers are not normally required during our multi day play times. I figure that showering consumes less than .001% of time aboard... wet heads work well as space savers/givers on our Tolly!
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Wifey B: Head must be nice sized. We both must have a little claustrophobic tendency, especially hubby but then I think his size adds to it. Oh and not a wet shower, plus the shower must have space for two....that's clearly for the purpose of saving water of course.
kulas44
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Except, how much "living, useable, everyday" space do you give up in a 48 foot boat to be able to sorta stand up while looking at your engines.
On a trawler like boat, all you give up is moving your center of balance up a few inches. You're essentially just raising the main deck. Now the better manufacturers have figured out how to compensate and increase head room without causing other issues.
