After looking through the various forums, the consensus on powering a long distance rib is a single inboard diesel.
- Petrol’s don’t provide the range and it costs more to buy (twice here).
- Twin motors mean a lot more cost/maintenance/weight for equivalent power.
The problem is not having any backup if the engine or drive fails.
A 10Hp backup motor should push the boat along at around 6 knots in ‘displacement’ – enough to get me back from anywhere.
A light petrol outboard fits the task, but I don’t want to carry petrol as well as diesel.
A light kerosene outboard will do the job; there are light kerosene outboards available.
There aren’t any light diesel outboards available. I’ve not been able to find a light 10Hp diesel outboard (<50Kg) anywhere.
Two questions:
1. Will kerosene work in a diesel engine? [What is the diff. kerosene/diesel?]
(At least the backup fuel could be used foe the main engine too)
2. Does anyone know of a light diesel outboard?
If it is too heavy (like the shoddy Chinese things available [100Kg]), it won’t be easy enough to chuck on the back in an emergency.
Here’s what I’ve found so far:
4Hp 93Kg Chinese ($1000)
http://www.chinadiesel.com/mrn/diesel_outboard.htm
6Hp 60Kg Chinese ($900)
http://www.morganequipment.net/page13.html
10Hp 75Kg Chinese ($1300)
http://www.morganequipment.net/page13.html
25Hp 115Kg Coventry Climax
http://www.dieselmarine.net/
27Hp 94Kg Yanmar
http://www.yanmar.co.jp/english/index-m-under.htm
36Hp 115Kg Yanmar
http://www.yanmar.co.jp/english/index-m-under.htm
Also,
I recently bought a 7.5Hp air-cooled Yanmar diesel (industrial motor) that weighs 33Kg, but I need to go through all the hassle of putting a drive unit and prop on it . At least it is a good quality Japanese made aluminium block engine.
Thinking of putting a Thailand style prop shaft on the end of it, with a 4:1 chain drive for good thrust. I recon the whole thing should weigh about 45Kg and be able to use the main engine’s spare prop.
Any ideas?