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Electronic engine controls: good or bad?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by motoryachtlover, Nov 6, 2020.

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  1. Capt J, Nov 8, 2020
    #21
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Well said. Electric you can have as many stations you want or where you want, or a remote such as a yacht controller.
  2. maldwin, Nov 8, 2020
    #22
    maldwin

    maldwin Senior Member

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    Well said, and I take that to mean I shouldn’t go offshore with electronic controls unless I have a back up.
  3. NYCAP123, Nov 8, 2020
    #23
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    There's still Sea Tow.
  4. bayoubud, Nov 8, 2020
    #24
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Definite advantage of mechanical controls...most of us will need a tech to fix the electronic controls.
  5. motoryachtlover, Nov 8, 2020
    #25
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    Thanks to all who replied. I sincerely appreciate it. I am going to stay with my Hynautics and get them gone over. I researched a little deeper into the internet and it seems that low voltage is an issue due to alternator belts slipping and corroded connections, etc. It does seem that electrical gremlins seem to be the most difficult to troubleshoot, especially low voltage. I don’t want the worry and don’t know what I am going to do with boat going forward. Repower or sell and buy another boat.
  6. mapism, Nov 8, 2020
    #26
    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Good choice, but what does low voltage have to see with your Hynautics controls?
    They need no current at all, AFAIK.
    Or did I miss a separate issue?
  7. motoryachtlover, Nov 8, 2020
    #27
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    No I was just pointing out what some googling revealed to be a problem with electronic controls and how I perceive electrical problems to be the most difficult to solve and in particular low voltage electrical issues.
  8. NYCAP123, Nov 8, 2020
    #28
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    That last sentence is a bit of a shocker. If you're looking for a boat with no problems they just don't exist.
  9. motoryachtlover, Nov 8, 2020
    #29
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    I think you are misunderstanding what I was trying to say. I have been a boat owner for 40 years. Starting with runabouts. I have owned twin engine boats for approximately 25 years. I have been through plenty of boat problems. I am probably a little more proactive than most in trying to get ahead of some of the problems by updating based on age/use not failure. The forum convinced me that switching to electronic controls quite possibly introduces more potential problems. So I am well aware that boats with no problems don’t exist.
  10. NYCAP123, Nov 8, 2020
    #30
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Glad I misunderstood.
  11. Boomer, Nov 8, 2020
    #31
    Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    Will never get electronic controls again...was going across the ditch in florida and coming up to a lock...unfortunately a power failure locked the throttles and gear in place...had to run her up on the hill at speed to stop...mind you this was all in about 500 ft.
  12. bayoubud, Nov 8, 2020
    #32
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Dang, what brand controls? Seems I read another post having a similar problem.
  13. mapism, Nov 9, 2020
    #33
    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Was also the stop solenoid jammed?
    That would be a weird concidence, 'cause usually they have nothing to see with the control levers.
  14. mapism, Nov 9, 2020
    #34
    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    For some reason I previously missed your reply.
    I'm no SF expert at all, is that a behaviour you would expect from any of them?
    A sudden total loss of power on one side (at any speed) is one of several tests that any yard should do on their boats, and the reaction should remain smooth enough to avoid the risk of throwing someone overboard.
    I'm even aware of some cruisers that can stay on the plane with just one engine.
    But even those (the majority, in fairness) who don't, normally react to the situation you describe by slowing down and turning on the dead engine side, but nowhere near as hard as by steering hard over.
    Maybe SFs are designed with props more far apart for better maneuverability? Just guessing...
  15. Capt J, Nov 9, 2020
    #35
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    A lot of deep V inboard planing boats will do this if you totally cut power on one side in an instant and are at 80%. Keep in mind we were on autopilot and also takes a few seconds to evaluate what is going on.......
  16. mapism, Nov 9, 2020
    #36
    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Mmm... Did you actually try that with any other boats?
    As I said, it should be part of routine tests for any new boat.
    And a total power cut on one side should never create any dangerous condition, even at WOT.
    That's with no rudder action BTW, i.e.keeping them centered.
    If anything, the a/p should have immediately reacted contrasting the turn.

    PS: I'm well aware that the behaviour you described is unavoidable in an offshore boat running at very high speed.
    That can indeed be very dangerous, potentially leading to a hook and spin, if not even a capsize.
    But at 25kts? That rather sounds like poor hull design...
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2020
  17. Capt J, Nov 9, 2020
    #37
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    It was not a scary OH MY GOD moment, it just made a hard turn as if you turned the wheel hard over.......had we happened to be passing another boat, buoy, or other object 100-200 yards off our side, it would have been a very dangerous situation simple because of what it did.
  18. rtrafford, Nov 9, 2020
    #38
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Spongy hynautic is likely calling for a new set of seals at one or more location in the chain of stations and slaves. But spongy hynautic is still reliable. I'd always lean to mechanical over hydraulic, hydraulic over electronic...if the vessel allows you the option.
  19. rtrafford, Nov 9, 2020
    #39
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Yeah, I can see how that experience would tighten your shorts. Thankfully, as you said, you were in the open. My luck would find me between two jetties in a nasty inlet.
  20. rtrafford, Nov 9, 2020
    #40
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    I was sitting at dinner at the dock at Houston's in Pompano Beach when an electronic failed and ripped the place up pretty good...you have what you have with electronic engines, but that thought is forever in your head when you've seen it happen. Me? Lightening strike nearby, not direct, took everything including sensors and injectors etc on the mains. Thankfully I was neither aboard nor underway. Big expensive mess, and then along came Pantropic to make it even more pleasurable.
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