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Old 27-10-2012, 20:56   #1
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Propane Outboards

We've got some really good show prices on the Lehr Propane Outboards durring the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show. I'd love the chance to quote you.
You can email me through our website www.hopkins-carter.com
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Old 06-11-2012, 10:01   #2
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Re: Propane Outboards

Propane outboards on a boat ? Not a chance my friend..
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Old 06-11-2012, 10:28   #3
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Re: Propane Outboards

Hey Irish, why not?
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Old 08-11-2012, 00:38   #4
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Re: Propane Outboards

Quite simply the same reason petrol inboards in this part of the world are as rare as rocking horse manure, fire hazard ! and yes there have been 2 boats to my knowledge blown up. Availabilty and storage are 2 other major issues. I agree it's great for forklifts, stationary engines etc etc and I totally agree the engine runs very clean but on a boat, no way. Ordinary propane/butane for cooking is the only gas on board,and that religiously stored and monitored. I'm afraid I'll have to agree to disagree on that one. sorry.
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Old 08-11-2012, 00:47   #5
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Re: Propane Outboards

do they float
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Old 08-11-2012, 00:55   #6
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Re: Propane Outboards

I think the 'danger' difference between Propane and Gasoline in a boat is negligible. People have used gasoline outboards for decades without actually appreciating the danger that gasoline poses.

I wouldn't use either inboard, but in an open dinghy I don't see the difference. and It's one less volatile fuel to deal with.
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Old 08-11-2012, 06:13   #7
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Re: Propane Outboards

If I had no aspirations to leave the coastal US (or other developed nation) I'd be all over this outboard like flies on ......... I think the idea that the propane in a dingy is somehow more dangerous than gasoline is foolish. My problem is the areas where I have cruised and will continue to cruise propane takes a lot more planning to procure. While not impossible it's not as immediate as gasoline. But also while cruising I am not subject to the same gasoline problems that I experience while tied up to the home dock. The propane will never foul the carb, and that's the best part of the deal!!
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Old 09-11-2012, 10:24   #8
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Re: Propane Outboards

Propane also has a lower power density than Petrol = larger outboard for same power output. Not a good equation for large scale use. No large scale use = higher cost.

The real question for me is why? other than the aforementioned carb issues I don't see any real advantage.
I would really like a diesel version that was light weight but I don't think I will.
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Old 09-11-2012, 10:25   #9
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Re: Propane Outboards

I would agree with Sailmonkey and Xymotic - that in North America propane is available but may need some special effort to obtain same as getting refills for your boat's propane stove/oven cylinders. Since dinghy's are very much "outdoors" the chance of propane vapors igniting explosively is - IMHO - less than gasoline from a leaking outboard fuel tank igniting, especially with the help of somebody on a dinghy dock carelessly flinging his cigarette butt into your dinghy.

But elsewhere in the world and Caribbean, the cooking/heating gas fuel is Butane (also known as "Campgaz") or CNG or a blend of propane and butane.

So do the new "propane outboards" operate the same using Butane rather than Propane?
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Old 09-11-2012, 10:28   #10
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Re: Propane Outboards

I run out of gas a lot. Small tank, big ambitions. So when you run out on a propane outboard how do you refill?
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Old 09-11-2012, 10:43   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tbodine88
I run out of gas a lot. Small tank, big ambitions. So when you run out on a propane outboard how do you refill?
The same way you fill any other propane bottle.
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Old 09-11-2012, 11:00   #12
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Re: Propane Outboards

There is a company that makes/retails new Yamaha portable generators (with full warranty) that will run on gasoline, propane, and CNG.

Not sure if that kind of approach could be appied to outboards, but would seem to be an attractive capability if it's let most of us here in the U.S. reduce our semi-mandatory use of E10 gasoline (10% ethanol).

FWIW, I've even wondered whether a small 1000w (27-lb) portable gas/propane/GNG generator is a potential solution to electric outboard range... but that might be getting a bit too fiddly to fool with.

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Old 09-11-2012, 11:25   #13
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Re: Propane Outboards

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Originally Posted by Sailmonkey View Post
The same way you fill any other propane bottle.
I know that But while under way particularly in a seaway, how do you refuel?



From the above picture, you just carry another bottle. Be sure to carry enough. Then where do you safely store these things. My guess is a overboard vented cabinet in the lazarette. This in my small boat would be a problem.
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Old 09-11-2012, 11:43   #14
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A 1 lb bottle will run it for a few hours. Not a whole lot different from storing gasoline. So when the big tank runs dry, flip the lever and run off of the small bottle.
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Old 09-11-2012, 14:39   #15
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Re: Propane Outboards

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sailmonkey View Post
The same way you fill any other propane bottle.
And as actual long term cruisers know - you can refill one bottle from another bottle with hoses and adaptors available from most marine chandleries. Even the new bottles. So if you have a larger bottle onboard for your cooking or heaters, you can refill from that.

But habit and being used to storing little red containers of dinghy gasoline on the aft deck is going to make widespread adoption of propane outboards difficult. Look to what happened to the Dvorak keyboard versus the Querty keyboard . . .
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