An Outboatd Diesel???

Solittle

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I have been reading a thought stimulating article on diesel powered sterndrives in the edition of Trailer Boats that just came out. One prototype was a 26' Pro-line with a 300 hp Yanmar/Mercruiser Bravo 3 combination. The boat cruised at 36.4 mph and 3.2 mpg. At 5.6 mph it got 18.7 mpg for a range of 2936 miles!!<br /><br />If a 300 hp diesel can have a max range of 2936 miles, I wonder what kind of range you could get with a smaller outboard diesel?<br /><br />Does anyone know if an outboard diesel has ever been produced or planned? - - - I realize the wieght/cost issues.
 

JB

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Re: An Outboatd Diesel???

Howdy, SoLittle.<br /><br />Several Diesel outboards are used in other parts of the world. They are big, heavy and low HP, but suitable for many applications.<br /><br />Yanmar is one manufacturer you might recognize.
 

ob

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Re: An Outboatd Diesel???

Here's one of the Yanmars JB mentioned.Pretty neat. <br /><br />Yanmar
 

Forktail

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Re: An Outboatd Diesel???

"Twin Yanmar diesel outboards powered a seacraft for the first time across the Pacific from San Francisco to Hawaii; a record 2250 miles (3621 km) of non-stop running using only 385 USG (1457 L) of fuel. The Yanmar diesel outboard is ready to serve a broad array of commercial duties."<br /><br />That's 2.9 gal/hr/outboard<br /><br /> http://www.woodenboatshop.com.au/yanmar/outboards.htm <br /><br />These diesels are far from big, heavy and low on hp. The 27 hp comes in at 203 lbs and the 36 hp comes in at 256 lbs. Compare to Johnson/Suzuki's DF25 at 221 lbs and their DF40 at 238 lbs. The cylinders and heads are all one piece reducing weight (sleeved aluminum).<br /><br />These little diesel outboards are 3-cylinder, 4-stroke, and direct injected. They have a great torque curve, which is a real benefit at the prop. Plus they are in a very popular hp range. The biggest majority of outboards purchased in the US are around the 30hp and below market.<br /><br />There is something in the works for higher hp rotary diesel outboards (250 hp). Rotaries are a 4-cycle engine that produce great power-torque to weight ratios in a very compact design.
 

Bear

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Re: An Outboatd Diesel???

Wankel diesel outboard in the future? <br />
svarpafragan.jpg
<br /><br /> http://www.selva-uk.demon.co.uk/outboardindex.htm <br />Scroll down to P 900 Diesel, 25 hp.<br />
Diesel.gif
 

wilde1j

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Re: An Outboatd Diesel???

About 20 yrs ago, I saw an Italian made diesel OB of < 75 HP, intended for use on workboats at a marine show for the trade only at McCormick Place in Chicago. My recollection is that it was really heavy and unsuitable for most pleasure boat applications. The show was about 20 yrs ago, so the idea isn't new. There may be others as well.
 

Bear

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Re: An Outboatd Diesel???

WildeOne, that was probably the Carniti diesel outboard you saw.
 

JB

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Re: An Outboatd Diesel???

Well, they are a lot lighter than I thought, particularly when compared to EFI 4 strokes in the same power range.<br /><br />Seems like they would be great for 'toons and houseboats if they don't smell too bad and clatter too much.
 

NathanY

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Re: An Outboatd Diesel???

That Wankel looks similar to a Yamaha VMax or is it just me?
 

steelespike

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Re: An Outboatd Diesel???

Scott McCulloch, Built diesel outboards in the late 60s.
 

ob

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Re: An Outboatd Diesel???

I'm thinking one of the smaller hp diesels would be a honey of a "kicker" for trolling offshore. Good on fuel .
 

Trent

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Re: An Outboatd Diesel???

Actually in 1961 Yamaha built the first Kerosene outboard which would run on Diesel also.
 

sloopy

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Re: An Outboatd Diesel???

there are 9 horse power diesel outboards in the 9 horse range and are 150 pounds. BUT they are very ugly. But it only cost 935.00! and is made in Japan.. I was thinking about putting a Robin diesel on an outboard leg, but they are horizontal shaft :( :( :( :(
 

Yepblaze

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Re: An Outboatd Diesel???

You have revived a thread 4 years or more old.

I'm not sure this is the right forum for this issue, unless the motor you talk about is a Merc, or Mariner

Diesel engine manufacturers today are faced with tough emmission related regulations, that get tougher each year.

For a manufacturer to be able to get an internal combustion engine powered device to market today, they have to go through extensive emissions testing.

The costs related to this testing, and inherant design needs dictated by the related standards, can make bringing something to market impossible while retaining profitability.

You may see diesel in I/O, or inboard applications, as these sized powerplants are already in industrial equipment and running day in and day out meeting low emission standards on low sulfer fuels.

In America the mass public wants power to weight ratio, and gasoline motors are what make that possible.



Just plain off topic: (in California at least) A new chain saw only runs for a pre-set period of time (a few hunder hours at most) till the ignition system shuts down and the unit must be taken in for a new ignition component available only at a dealer that has been approved by the state to make repairs, and in a sense smog check it before putting it back into service.
 

pgdignan

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Jul 31, 2007
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Re: An Outboatd Diesel???

Hardy diesel (formerly China diesel) has a 2 hp diesel outboard (it's god awful ugly but apparently works). I don't know if it's still available but for a kicker it would probably fill the bill.
 
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