Am I missing something??

[Jmangiameli]

I invited a friend a mine out for a ride on my tug.

He informed me that he would NEVER go out on THAT boat. “Any boat with only one engine is just not safe”. He ask me how someone who SEEMS to have some amount of intelligence would ever consider put ting his wife and kids in so much danger.

He went on and on about how unsafe boating is to begin with, and its just down right stupid if you’re out there with only one engine.

I told him to give me a call if he ever changes his mind. He told me not to hold my breath.

I shook his hand, said goodbye and watched as he climbed into his single engine airplane and took off into the sunset.

Is it just me? Or am I missing something??

 

[jimschu]

Maybe he figures the plane will eventually return to earth while a single engine boat may not return to shore. That being said I'll chose the tug. Different strokes for different folks.

Keep on tugging!

 

[JamesTXSD]

You're not missing anything... your "friend" is. You can't always fix ignorant. I hold a commercial pilots license, multi-engine, instrument. I have a Master Captains License... I have a bit of experience with both. Neither is forgiving of unsafe operation, but both require some skills. Suggest to your friend that you both go 25 miles off-shore and shut down your engine... just to experience the peace and quiet... maybe drop a line in the water. If you don't restart your engine for a while, you can safely bob along. Ask him how how long his plane will bob? :lol:

I saw that attitude frequently when flying - doesn't make the operator or the craft any safer.

Airplanes are required to have an annual inspection. In order to get a pilot's license, one must demonstrate a basic proficiency. Most states don't require any proficiency to operate a boat. That might be why your friend thinks his craft is safer. You, of course, know better. His loss. Just for discussion sake, I would not fly with that guy. 😉

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[knotflying]

Ditto on what Jim said. In my opinion the only thing you are missing is a good friend. Dump him and find one who is more open minded.

 

[Irish Mist]

There are a lot of single engine ships/ boats cross the oceans all the time. These days help is always close if you break down. I would see an engine failure as an inconvience but not unsafe.
Mark

 

[RProffer]

Most of the worlds freight is transported on ships with a single diesel engine. They have VHF and SSB radios to call for help if needed. If you have a problem, you just drop anchor and radio for help (which I have done). If he has a problem (engine quits), then that is just the beginning of his problems. Don't worry, be happy. 😉

 

[pleeson]

Ask him if he always ensures that he or his airplane are parachute equipped when he goes flying with his single engine aircraft. Both are sensible and available options. Meanwhile, I'm sure that you have a dinghy and a means to propel it and/or your tug should the need arise and that's in addition to your life jackets!

 

[BobR]

..and the big difference is when my engine quits, I don't sink! If your pal flies over water, and engine failure has more severe consequences. Having flown a Bonanza over water a few times, I am pretty sure even single engine pilot knows about the "over water auto-rough" syndrome 😀

Best,
Bob

 

[Levitation]

There is a reason I have a single engine boat (economy) and a twin engine plane (redundancy) :mrgreen:

 

[knotflying]

Unfortunately Denny, two engines will fail with bad fuel! :mrgreen: :lol:

 

[Ard]

It depends on where you use your boat.

I have a 26' whitewater motor rig I use to run the Colorado River through Grand Canyon and the National Park Service requires a second motor, spare props, and basic tools or you can't go. When your motor quits on a river your boat continues on at the pace of the current. I personally would prefer a way out other than abandoning ship. And lots of luck trying to retrieve your anchor in strong current without power.

For my R21 the solution was cheap and simple with the addition of a electric trolling motor which can temporarily overcome the problems associated with loss of motor, prop, or rudder. Also makes a great 360 degree stern thruster although I've never used it for any of the above. I also carry a break-down kayak paddle which 1 or 2 people can use to at least find your way into an eddy where you can anchor.

On flat water a powered dinghy could be used to accomplish much of the same.