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Anyone have one of these? A diesel outboard would be cool, should get some great fuel economy. I see literature on the web, but no prices or anyone posting about these engines. Vaporware?
They're available in 30 and 35hp, weigh a ton (well, about 50% more than an equivalent size gas outboard anyway), but the EPA banned them 10-12 years ago because they did not meet emission standards. So you'll have to go outside of the US to get one if you want one bad enough.
I was talking to a mechanic who was servicing one of these near our office last week. It was 36hp, on a 4m RIB. The owner had asked him to fit some type of steering damper as the 'steering torque' was almost ripping the tiller out of his hand when he opened it up.
Interesting to note that it had no through prop exhaust, with all the exhaust above water. It was very quiet even on muffs, so I would guess it would be pretty good in that respect. To me the engine looked to be about the size of a 60hp 2 stroke (maybe a little larger), and I guess it might be a bit heavier than that. I don't think that they do anything in bigger hp, but not sure.
Feedback from the mechanic was that these engines are typically used here for powering barges etc that service marine farms. He said that the engiens are very simple, give almost zero problems, and run for thousands of hours if looked after right. Personally I can't see how these (expensive) engines would have much use in recreational boating (low hp, high weight, high price), but I did like most of what I saw and heard, so will think about this a bit more for our charter fleet (twins on a small displacement boat maybe??). Would certainly eliminate sternleg issues.
I was talking to a mechanic who was servicing one of these near our office last week. It was 36hp, on a 4m RIB. The owner had asked him to fit some type of steering damper as the 'steering torque' was almost ripping the tiller out of his hand when he opened it up.
Interesting to note that it had no through prop exhaust, with all the exhaust above water. It was very quiet even on muffs, so I would guess it would be pretty good in that respect. To me the engine looked to be about the size of a 60hp 2 stroke (maybe a little larger), and I guess it might be a bit heavier than that. I don't think that they do anything in bigger hp, but not sure.
Feedback from the mechanic was that these engines are typically used here for powering barges etc that service marine farms. He said that the engiens are very simple, give almost zero problems, and run for thousands of hours if looked after right. Personally I can't see how these (expensive) engines would have much use in recreational boating (low hp, high weight, high price), but I did like most of what I saw and heard, so will think about this a bit more for our charter fleet (twins on a small displacement boat maybe??). Would certainly eliminate sternleg issues.
The pumpout boat at Block Island has one. It's a slow workboat, loads of hours running around the harbor but in no wake zones the whole time. Works well for that, but probably doesn't make sense for a recreational boat.
Diesel is clearly a better means of creating power. Notwithstanding, until the economy warrants use, R&D will never catch up. Just look at how the automotive companies embrace Diesel in America. They do not, although the performance is as good or better, the old days of soot is behind and they run very efficient and clean. A 320 E class Diesel Mercedes is quicker to 60 than the V 6 Gas equipped and gets 35 MPG. However they can not give them away. Outboards will never catch on as Diesels, Americans will never buy them. Sad but reality. I am proud to drive a Diesel! (F 250 ).
Dsaltydog things are a changing. We like dirty diesel (high sulfur) while Europe has been running low sulfur for years. That is changing in the US next year. 15ppm Sulfur max. 2007. Now we can put meet EPA regs. without converters not getting poisoned by the sulfur. Watch the price of diesel go up though with the added costs of sulfur removal. Things are a changing and the American public will buy diesels.
I think that with fuel costs what they are ($1.50 gas is history), and with all the innovation in diesel engines, that diesel cars will be taking off, and that diesel inboards are going to get more popular for midsize boats.
As to diesel outboards though, without something to improve power-to-weight ratio there, I don't think many recreational boaters will ever buy them.
__________________ When blithe to argument I come, Though armed with facts and merry; May Providence protect me from, The Fool as adversary. Whose mind to him a kingdom is, Where reason lacks dominion; Who calls conviction prejudice, and prejudice opinion.... ;-)
I've seen one of those 36hp models. Cute thing. Don't buy water skiis just yet. It is a motor that is made for commercial skiffs, like panga fisherman, sampan transports, dugout canoe ferries. Not a sexy plant, oh well, back to my 4 stroke.. Any boat is real if it breaks. I had a cousin that never really owned a boat- he owned it for 6 months, it never broke, the guy only put fuel in her, not even an oil change. Sold it for what he paid for it. That was not a real boat.
I thought the E-Tec's were suppose to be able to run on diesel. I seen it in there web page a hwile ago. Seems like they would be pushing it if it was any advantage to it.
Once you own diesel power on your boat it is really hard to go back to gas powered.
The DoD has a goal of diesel (or dual fuel) powered everything so a diesel engin is either here or on its way here for any and all vehicle/vessel applications.
The military had some multifuel engines--mostly run on jet fuel or gas--but not real effecient on jet fuel.
The Yanmar 27 and 36 hp diesels are even hard to get in Canada. They do not pass emissions test in US and the company doesn't seem to have any plans to modify them (if even possiable) to pass emissions tests. Other countries are passing emissions standards (for example the UK) which will not allow them to be sold there in the future. The ones which are here, probably were brought in illegally--every once and awhile you see them on E bay. There are also some Chinese diesel outboards--and Volvo Penta made an 8 hp diesel outboard many years ago.
Yanmar Diesel Outboards 
(well, about 50% more than an equivalent size gas outboard anyway), but the EPA banned them 10-12 years ago because they did not meet emission standards. So you'll have to go outside of the US to get one if you want one bad enough. 
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