New Outboard Technologies

[Doc Oakley]

Hi All

Sorry I've been absent since last year...all 4 parents ill, cancelled holiday, didn't use Bonwitco at all (but got out in the inflatable on the Dyfi a couple of times)...such is life.

Anyway, have seen in PBR mag recently adverts for propane outboards (Lehr) - anyone any experience of these? Secondly, I was interested to see, also in PBR, the big diesel outboard, albeit at a price...what do people think? Any future for diesel outboards (now that diesel cars seem to be getting bad press - I've gone from a diesel Tiguan to a hybrid RAV4 electric/petrol).

Simon.

[ColinR]

Hi Doc, welcome back to the world, We've been having parent problems as well so I understand your pain. Hopefully things are improving?

No experience of either propane or diesel outboards. I've only seen propane in use on a lake water ski boat. Not sure how easy it is to get around the water. Also it is difficult to carry a reserve in a jerry can

[BruceK]

I think there will be a big future in diesel outboard for the 25 to 30 foot category. I believe Merry Fishers and the like are no longer making inboard boats and petrol is hard to get in most marinas also considering this class gulps petrol quicker than you can carry it aboard in jerry cans. Their price is roughly that of a full IO setup. Then their is the yanks. They love their outboards and certainly with their cruisers inboard offerings are moving to diesel in droves.

[Ianfs]

I've got a Hybrid Rav coming soon it's on the ship, let's hope it doesn't fall off.

Talking of new technologies, it surprises me that Hybrid hasn't been researched for boats.

[ColinR]

Hybrids and boats is a tricky one. Because of the time that boats batteries stand around idle it is difficult to keep them in tip top condition. Plus when would the boat decide to use battery over power, pretty much only for that short trip between marina / mooring and when you are onto the plane when power use is pretty constant. Also you cannot use kers as there is no braking system.

I suppose you could cover the whole boat in photo electric cells and use that as a sort of booster.

[BruceK]

Hybrid has been researched for boats. It's just not suitable for power boats as we know them. Quite simply there is no battery technology that can sustain the type of current required for any length of time and not fall foul of weight or safety. Plenty of new "pods" being brought to the fore using solar but are these the new age of yachts or something entirely new?

[Ianfs]

Talking of new technologies, it surprises me that Hybrid hasn't been researched for boats.

Well, how wrong was I.

http://www.sunbirdyachts.eu/greenline-hybrid-powerboat/greenline-hybrid-powerboats.php

http://www.northern-lights.com/media/PDFs/app_report_pdfs/L779_aquarium_app_report.pdf

http://hymar.org/