Integrity Motor Yachts sings the praises of the single engine
Single engines are nothing new, but with the advent of docking devices they are making more dollars and senseIntegrity Motor Yachts released a recent communique claiming it has found "the future of affordable boating." It’s the single engine!
An advocate of the single engine with shaft drive since starting out 2008, Integrity is quick to remind boaters that a single powerplant is cheap to run, service, maintain, quiet, reliable and low maintenance, with easy access around all sides of the donk.
The notion that you install twins for safety is no longer true, claims the boatbuilder, pointing to what it says is an impeccable track record for the 99 Integrity motor yachts sold to date that have travelled under single engine anywhere from Tasmania to PNG without issue.
Of course, the commercial fishing fleet is largely single engine (sometimes with wing engines), while many long-serving pleasure-boat manufacturers recommend single engine for their displacement, semi displacement and modern planning hulls with prop pockets.
With a single centreline propeller, you can gain protection by the keel and rudder whereas most twin-engine prop set-ups hit bottom prop-blade first.
The addition of both bow and stern thrusters makes docking simple and reduces the pressure on the skipper, too. It’s not like you need to ‘walk’ the boats back into their berth with great skill. Just thrust them in.
All of which was music to the ears of Richard and Sue Croall, whose 530 Grand Sedan named Impetuous is the largest Integrity with a single engine built to date.
The maiden Sydney to Gold Coast voyage took 38-hours and the owners were said to be impressed with the performance of the single Scania 700hp engine.
"We made the journey in one hit – 38 hours straight – which is something I have always wanted to do, but never had the confidence to attempt.
"When you consider that every Sydney ferry, commercial craft and
trawlers the world-over all rely on single engines, it’s a pretty
convincing way to go.
"The engine didn’t miss a beat on the entire trip, and we got about 18 knots out of her at top speed," enthused Richard, who cruised with the Sydney dealer Adam Workman.
After a planned New Year raft-up at Akuna Bay in Pittwater, with a fleet of some 12 boats called Team Integrity, the Croalls are planning to head to Jervis Bay and then further afield to The Whitsundays and Tasmania.
"Impetuous could take us anywhere, I know that for certain," Richard adds.
More with this search of 35-plus Integrity boats listed for sale on our sites and
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