One Engine Running - Safety

[HangOutdoors]

I have read that in an emergency I can run on one engine while the other one is off or can't run. Not that I have any issues, but if and when I do - I believe in being prepared and knowing the proper way to handle it, such as sucking up a rope or an engine not starting, etc., what steps do I need to take in order to not hurt the other engine and what speed is ok to go as I get back to the launch or safety? Any pictures would help as well. I have seen in another thread that I should clamp a hose at least?

 

[FLBulldogger]

Here's what's in my owners manual. I also carry a pair if locking pliers.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

Highly recommend shut off valves, shut off water flow to one engine. Also put the dead engine throttle to fully open.

 

[zipper]

You can tow slowly, no-wake speed, I have done it, with no bad result. Some say moving the throttle forward opening up the bucket will reduce the chance of water ingress. Many install tow valves and others just use a clamp on the water intake hose. https://jetboaters.net/threads/drip-irrigation-tow-valve.27205/#post-450893

 

[Seadeals]

It is a unique attribute for a boat. Here is my understanding, so please let me know if I have anything wrong. By design of the cooling system, water will want to flow through the intake block holes in the side of the jet pump wall. The faster the water flows through the pump, the more water will flow in. If you go fast enough, the water pressure can reach high enough to start flowing water through the engine cooling passages. Do that long enough and you can eventually fill the water boxes and finally flow water back through any open exhaust valves into the cylinder. At that point, you have a problem; but it is not really the end of the world unless you try to start the engine with water in the cylinders and it hydrolocks. Air compresses, water doesn’t, so doing that can bend or break rods, especially if dry cylinders fire.

my rules:
1. keep it slow (no wake speed) on one engine
2. If you can’t keep it slow, clamp the intake line (or shut valve if installed)
3. If you can’t do that, pull all the spark plugs afterwards and motor the engine with the kill lanyard removed to assure no water made it to the cylinders.

 

[Beachbummer]

My Sx230 has tow valves that I installed. In an overheat situation they came in handy. I also have trim tabs and I used them in tandem with weight distribution and I was able to plane the boat and reach 16MPH on a single engine. Your boat may be able to go even faster since you have less weight.

I also had weeds on the other engine, so my happiness was short lived as I overheated the other engine while doing this. The permanent fix has been the addition of temperature monitoring, so now I know BEFORE they overheat.

I also dry dock, so if I arrive late to the marina it may be next day before they take it out of the water. The tow valves let me flush the engines while in the water. This was my main motivation for getting them. But if you ever need to move on one engine and happen to be far away, you will appreciate your investment in tow valves if you are able to plane on one engine.

 

[sunbyrned]

Here’s something from the FAQ section. Even if you don’t install a valve, I believe it will give you an idea where to clamp.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/how-to-add-a-shutoff-valve-to-your-boats-cooling-system.411/

 

[HangOutdoors]

Gonna install the valve. I think it is best. Thanks everyone for the info, I appreciate it.