Car engine in sailboat?

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by cajucito

........... No disrespect to anyone but I would still describe a boat with an inboard petrol engine as a bomb that has not yet gone off: No smoking please!!

Millions of boats are running around with gasoline engines with very few fires or explosions. These are production boats with marinized auto engines where the fuel, ignition and electrical systems have been modified to prevent fuel or vapor leaks and prevent electrical sparks. We're talking Mercruiser and Volvo and a few others here. They also have fume evacuation systems (bilge blowers). Properly maintained, they are safe, not "bombs".

I personally prefer diesel, though.

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by rwidman

Obviously one can put anything in a boat, but a lawn tractor engine would be a pretty poor choice.

Agreed, but if you're a fellow on a tight budget and someone who likes to experiment, why not? A friend from a long time ago had an S-boat by Herreshoff. He put a Briggs and Stratton 7hp in it. Granted there was no reverse and it always smelled like gas below but it did get him in and out of his slip when he needed it. No reverse. I had a lot of respect for his ingenuity and his ability to install the shaft without having it leak. Also I had great respect for him keeping the boat alive since it was built in the 30s and came through the bombing at Pearl Harbor. It was a piece of history.

http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=73 by sailboatdata

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

Agreed, but if you're a fellow on a tight budget and someone who likes to experiment, why not? A friend from a long time ago had an S-boat by Herreshoff. He put a Briggs and Stratton 7hp in it. Granted there was no reverse and it always smelled like gas below but it did get him in and out of his slip when he needed it. No reverse. I had a lot of respect for his ingenuity and his ability to install the shaft without having it leak. Also I had great respect for him keeping the boat alive since it was built in the 30s and came through the bombing at Pearl Harbor. It was a piece of history.

S CLASS (HERRESHOFF) sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com by sailboatdata

Well that was the bomb waiting to explode!

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by rwidman

Well that was the bomb waiting to explode!

Certainly this.

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by rwidman

Well that was the bomb waiting to explode!

Yes, everyone knew it was a no smoking area when you walked by his slip. Good thing his slip was downwind of mine. He never once blew up and was pretty careful to remove the gas from the little tank on the engine when he left. You could still smell fumes though and it was a little bit nerve racking to go for a sail with him.

The boat performed so well that no one ever turned him down when he invited you to sail. It was a "witch" to windward but nearly a submarine in seas more than 4 feet.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by rwidman

Obviously one can put anything in a boat, but a lawn tractor engine would be a pretty poor choice.

I dunno... where I come from the lawn tractors are Kubotas...

[K_V_B]

Originally Posted by GILow

I dunno... where I come from the lawn tractors are Kubotas...

... as long as it's a diesel.

[rgscpat]

Car engine, with stock auto alternator and electrical system, and not a hint of backfire protection/flame arrestor... now that sounds a bit too exciting.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by rgscpat

Car engine, with stock auto alternator and electrical system, and not a hint of backfire protection/flame arrestor... now that sounds a bit too exciting.

Same for the lawn tractor engine.

[rgscpat]

For the unmarinized, unprotected system, just drill plenty of holes in the bilge to ventilate the gas vapors. Then seal the engine compartment and use a powerful fan to pressurize the bilge and gain the added benefit of jet propulsion.

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by rgscpat

For the unmarinized, unprotected system, just drill plenty of holes in the bilge to ventilate the gas vapors. Then seal the engine compartment and use a powerful fan to pressurize the bilge and gain the added benefit of jet propulsion.

Totally new concept!