Hydraulic Drives

[runningstump]

Hello!

I'm new here. I have a 41 ft sloop that I am interested in driving with a hydraulic moter. I have a Perkins MD 50 and I'm looking for information on the pro's and con's of Hydraulics and also size requirements and suppliers

Thanks

[Chief Engineer]

Try looking up Folkboats....I worked on one that had a hydraulic drive poweredby a 1 Cylinder Faryman. Engine/Pump and Fluid reservoir were all self contained.

The boat was about 25 feet and it moved rather well

[Albro359]

I have a Yanmar 3GM connected to a Volvo hydraulic pump / drive unit because the design of the boat is such that the engine can't be near the prop shaft.
It works quite well, but its noisy and you lose about 10% of your power in slip which emanates as heat. I had troubles with leaks and blowing filters but after spending $$$s it all works reliably.
Would I chose it again...I think the answer is no...but maybe modern drives are more efficient.
Vetus have a rather nice looking system in their catalogue.

Cheers

Alan

[James S]

Do those require some sort of cooling for the oil that’s more substantial than say a hydraulic transmission has?

One pro I can see if your at all inventive is the possibility of setting it up like the Aziprop where the motor is external connected directly to the prop and the whole shootin match is able to rotate a bit...lots of variations to this come to mind as I write!

[Albro359]

Most dinkum hydraulic drives that transmit real power have built in heat exchangers that are plumbed in to the engines cooling system