by Bob
(Gosport uk)
I have a Nauticat 331 motorsailer with a Yanmar diesel engine The ignition/start (combined) switch and the engine off button are in the wheelhouse and I want to be able to start and stop the engine from the cockpit, planning to wire in stop and start buttons located in the cockpit.
Imagine...arrive on boat, prepare for day sailing across the channel, start engine from wheelhouse, leave mooring and motor out of Yarmouth harbour,sails up and turn left at the Needles onto a lovely beam reach. Turn engine off from cockpit leaving ignition on because the ignition switch is in the wheelhouse and I might want to start the engine in a hurry sometime without having to rush down below. Twelve hours later arrive Cherbourg, start engine, sails off and prepare to drink wine, eat oysters etc
Can anyone see any harm being done by leaving the ignition on and the engine off for a prolonged period?