Single diesel operations

[Malyea]

Long time sailor growing quite fond of acquiring an Albin 28 (maybe a 32). I’m accustomed to operating with a backup power source (sail plus diesel or twin motors). How concerned are you operating single engine with no backup? How do I get over my concern about operating offshore with one engine? Trust in the statistical reliability of diesel engines? Trust that a good PM schedule will be the answer? Thanks for your thoughts!

[DesertAlbin736]

Trust that a good PM schedule will be the answer?

That's pretty much the crux of the biscuit. That & the usual safety precautions, such as having an up to date VHS in working order with DSC & distress button and a registered MMSI number. If going far offshore out of VHF range for serious passage making then having an EPIRB would help too. But a well maintained boat & engine & making sure you have sufficient fuel on board should suffice.

[Norseman]

I crossed over to the Bahamas with my single engine Albin, had complete confidence and 0 problems.

[dkirsop]

If you only have one engine it gets taken care of. If you have two, maintenance sometimes gets put off and costs twice as much. There are lots of commercial fishing boats in the world that only have one engine. It's all about incentive.

[jleonard]

Never had a twin engine boat. Mostly single diesels. Clean fuel, regular maintenance including a GOOD visual inspection often and you won't have an issue.
I put thousands of miles on the old Albin (1983) with hardly any hiccups.
But if you can't put your phobia aside, then get a twin engine boat.

[jcollins]

How far offshore and for how long? My dreaded Peninsular never died at sea. At the fuel dock once and at the pier. Never while underway.

[DesertAlbin736]

Probably the best thing about twin vs signal besides redundancy is turn on a dime maneuvering & docking in tight spaces. With single engine docking spring lines & rudder kicks can help. But when it comes to prop damage from groundings a single with skeg hung rudder protected by the keel is probably (a guess here) less likely to sustain damage than either one or both of props on a twin.

[Rondo]

Think of all the folks who work on the water EVERY DAY - nearly all have single diesel engines. The crux is like flying single engine airplanes - if you only have one, take good care of it. Dedication to maintenance, clean fuel, and air to run, an it will likely outlive you.
Rondo

[Jeremyvmd]

I had zero concerns over operating with a single and my dad still doesn’t. New boat does have twins but that just cuz I didn’t have the option. Way less maintenance costs and fuel costs. Thruster makes maneuvering a non issue. Although even without thruster it’s not bad.