Re: convert gas to diesel boat
Jason, you're right there is a reason- in the past is was as you say- problems with seals and such. Today, the reason is marketing forces and tradition. Nothing else. And no, I am not a piston hater. I just think it a shame that the marketers and publicizers tend to focus on whatever seems popular, ensuring it stays that way. The public wants what it can see, and marketers show what they think will sell, creating a cycle. Once in the while good things get overlooked because of that. Of course not everything "new" ends up being good. But in this instance, there is a whole lot of good, sound, and now technically proven engineering getting overlooked. Comparitively it is quite simple mechanically next to the current state of the art outboards of today. There are a handful of various boat motors, virtually all inboard, using this now with good success. Few seem to be paying attention at present. Rotary is beginning to catch on in the world of light aviation, though. There are certified multi fuel airplane rotary engines being flown in Europe right now, gaining rapidly in popularity because of the difficulty in getting AvGas over their. They work just fine with the much less expensive jet fuel, unlike other gas engines. And homebuilders here are starting to install RX-7 engines in their airplanes because of their low maintenance expense and great reliability. What other liquid cooled engine will still get you home despite losing cooling and can be deliberately run way too lean without fear of catastrophe? Looking at the diesel outboard options, I'm thinking how much more elegant it could be done by breaking out of the box. IMHO, looking at the extremes the outboard manufacturers are going to improve their very high tech (and expensive)engines, it might actually be a lot easier to think outside the box rather than stay inside. Pistons may well continue to dominate, but it will be solely because of preference, not for any mechanical reasons.
