ColRon wrote:Qr Bbpost I agree with Bud37. On my Santego at idle with both engines turning is only 2-3 mph. Often at idle, I center the rudder and steer with the props using forward, neutral or reverse. The same will also work using the throttle. With only one engine in gear you your vessel will want to turn away from the spinning prop, i.e. port engine in forward gear she will turn to starboard, so you will continually have to input left rudder to keep a straight heading.
ColRon, Thanks for sharing! I can understand using F/N/R for steerage in the harbor but don't want to be using that technique for many hours while fishing. I am however looking forward to learning that method docking and controlling the boat. I'm a pilot and well familiar with opposite rudder with one engine inop, just like a plane if you don't have enough speed you will lose ability to control direction. Glad to learn I can expect 2-3 mph, What model and engines on your Santego?
ColRon, Thanks for sharing! I can understand using F/N/R for steerage in the harbor but don't want to be using that technique for many hours while fishing. I am however looking forward to learning that method docking and controlling the boat. I'm a pilot and well familiar with opposite rudder with one engine inop, just like a plane if you don't have enough speed you will lose ability to control direction. Glad to learn I can expect 2-3 mph, What model and engines on your Santego?
Fishboy, my Santego is a 1989 3867 she has a Loa of 44’11”. She’s powered by Crusader model 350’s, 454 cubic inch engines with Velvet Transmissions and Walter V Drives.
I know with twins, when on the unfortunate occasions I have had to limp home on one engine, I was constantly having to input steering to counter the torque caused by only running one screw and the faster I went the more input I had to make. I found it quite tiring. I assume that would be similar in a twin engine aircraft with one small difference, a boat doesn’t have to worry about maintaining lift. At slow speeds, Using the only the twins engines on the boat will actually give your more maneuverability and more than make up for the loss at the rudder.
Ron 1989 Carver Santego 3867 “Escape Plan” Murray, KY
I’d guess it’s more stressful losing an engine in a boat than a plane! The thought of docking with only 1 inboard is my worst nightmare I’d think.
Carvers designations have me confused. I’m hoping to buy this 320 Voyager which is a 32ft boat but your 3867 is almost 45? I thought the model number equated to the length?
All depends on the year. The model numbers and length changed over time. Prior to the mid 90’s they had a length at the water line and a length overall. For example, my 3867 is 38’ at the waterline, but has a length overall of an inch shy of 45’. To add to the confusion the same model was a 3867 from 88 through 90, then it became a 640 in 91 and disappeared altogether in 93. That’s when the form 3467 became the 380.
And I think losing an engine on an aircraft would be scarier to me, but I guess it would really all depend upon the situation.
Ron 1989 Carver Santego 3867 “Escape Plan” Murray, KY
gotjeepzj wrote:Qr Bbpost I killed the starboard on my test drive and I can tell you I wouldn’t recommend it. Had to turn almost full port just keep in a straight line and the other engine wasn’t happy. It took several minutes of dead stop before she would fire up again
Thanks for your reply gotjeepz!
I looked up your model and would guess it has a similar prop and rudder alignment and size. Now I’m worried it won’t be very controllable. Did you notice what speed you were doing and the wind conditions during your sea trial?
Trolling on one engine would have no relation to the others ability to start or run imo, maybe there’s some other factors involved with that like that engine didn’t start easily when warm?
Doug
Maybe 3-5 mph. We were in a no wake zone. Dead calm as far as the wind was concerned. I don’t steer with the steering wheel when going that slow. It’s engine input only. I’ve learned to really enjoy just going hull speed which is 7-10 mph. It takes longer to get there, but it saves a ton of fuel. Hours do matter, but not more than maintenance. Crusader built the best gasoline engines for boats. They didn’t use slot of standard Chevy 350 parts. I know the gaskets were specially made for marine environment. I bought my boat with 1200ish hours. Why? Because I have a very detailed log of everything that has ever been done to this boat. I felt very comfortable knowing it hadn’t been neglected and I’m a little too old to go hot rod my boat.
gotjeepzj wrote:Qr Bbpost I killed the starboard on my test drive and I can tell you I wouldn’t recommend it. Had to turn almost full port just keep in a straight line and the other engine wasn’t happy. It took several minutes of dead stop before she would fire up again
Thanks for your reply gotjeepz!
I looked up your model and would guess it has a similar prop and rudder alignment and size. Now I’m worried it won’t be very controllable. Did you notice what speed you were doing and the wind conditions during your sea trial?
Trolling on one engine would have no relation to the others ability to start or run imo, maybe there’s some other factors involved with that like that engine didn’t start easily when warm?
Doug
Maybe 3-5 mph. We were in a no wake zone. Dead calm as far as the wind was concerned. I don’t steer with the steering wheel when going that slow. It’s engine input only. I’ve learned to really enjoy just going hull speed which is 7-10 mph. It takes longer to get there, but it saves a ton of fuel. Hours do matter, but not more than maintenance. Crusader built the best gasoline engines for boats. They didn’t use slot of standard Chevy 350 parts. I know the gaskets were specially made for marine environment. I bought my boat with 1200ish hours. Why? Because I have a very detailed log of everything that has ever been done to this boat. I felt very comfortable knowing it hadn’t been neglected and I’m a little too old to go hot rod my boat.
My need for speed days are behind me, so I think I'll learn to like hull speed too and I love to hear opinions like yours regarding Crusader motors!
ColRon wrote:Qr Bbpost All depends on the year. The model numbers and length changed over time. Prior to the mid 90’s they had a length at the water line and a length overall. For example, my 3867 is 38’ at the waterline, but has a length overall of an inch shy of 45’. To add to the confusion the same model was a 3867 from 88 through 90, then it became a 640 in 91 and disappeared altogether in 93. That’s when the form 3467 became the 380.
And I think losing an engine on an aircraft would be scarier to me, but I guess it would really all depend upon the situation.
I just looked up the dimensions of the 320 Voyager model I'm looking at and learned it's 35' overall. Thanks for the extra 3 feet!
I lost the sea water pump on my port engine last season. Had to come back on one engine. No real issues controlling the boat except the low speed turns to get into my dock. I made it without bumping into anything.
Rick Grew
2025 Godfrey Xperience 2286 SFLX
2004 Past Commodore West River Yacht & Cruising Club
At slow speeds, Using the only the twins engines on the boat will actually give your more maneuverability and more than make up for the loss at the rudder.
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