Here is another old ferry for sale in Tacoma, similar price:
https://www.boats.com/power-boats/1936-ferry-custom-6842114/
I LOVE that ferry!!
Here is another old ferry for sale in Tacoma, similar price:
https://www.boats.com/power-boats/1936-ferry-custom-6842114/
That's what I was thinking. If it's triple shaft and at least the outboard props feather, I'd think you run all 3 to go fast, center only to go slow, outboards only in close quarters for maneuvering.
That seems like kind of a long walk for a short drink, but I can't think of another explanation...
Maybe: "Damn it, I'm gonna settle this single versus twins debate once and for all!"
It certainly seems demonstrably worse than both in just about every respect to me.
It's more complicated, but we don't know what the drive layout looks like. So it's hard to say if it might be more efficient at slow cruise than 2 bigger engines. Or they had a reason to use 3x 3208s for the power target instead of 2 bigger engines.
This Symbol 60 has three engines (3208's). Why???
https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/1987-symbol-motoryacht-8159541/
I can't tell from looking at the engine room photo - it doesn't look like what I'd expect for three symmetrical shafts.
I can't imagine why you'd pick 3x300hp instead of 2x450hp. Have you (or anyone) seen this before? I can't think of any boats in this size range I've ever seen with three propulsion engines.
I've been on boats with 3 propulsion engines & 3 shafts. Three boats were in scheduled passenger service. Speed was not the main goal, though they would get up and go. The main reason was to allow the engineers to perform routine maintenance and some repairs while underway. The only person who noticed anything different with an engine off line was the one handling the boat around a dock. The other one was for speed. I was only aboard that one as a "guest" for sea trials so all I can say is it was fast.
That seems like kind of a long walk for a short drink, but I can't think of another explanation...
Maybe: "Damn it, I'm gonna settle this single versus twins debate once and for all!"
It certainly seems demonstrably worse than both in just about every respect to me.
Art,Can you give any specifics? Size of boat, engines' hp, make, model, speeds...
Photos??
Greetings,
Mr. HT. Indeed an interesting boat BUT one would think that for over a $ quarter mil' $ one would expect the exterior bronze hardware to be polished as shown in one of the deck pictures. Someone is deferring their maintenance.
Man... that boat was a labor of love... lot o' love! We even eventually tore out the old straight six cylinder 155 hp. Nordberg Knight gasser and replaced with 185 hp. Perkins diesel.
For interest sake: A Nordberg sales brochure quotes 339.2 cu in capacity, 155hp @ 3200rpm, 4" bore 4.5" stroke, updraught carb.
These were all Nordberg manufacture, they also made the transmission as well.
List price was $US 1642 with direct drive gearbox, more for reduction boxes, as of January 10 1955.
Meh. I like verdigris on exterior bronze.