Thread: ? Diesel outboards ?

Seems like a good idea, probably works well enough. Got a couple of qualms though.

He says it gets 33% better fuel economy. Don't know about other countries, but diesel is usually 20-30% higher than gas here, so that's a wash. Not gonna pay for itself in it's lifetime.

I'm guessing that little engine is high pressure common rail. If you get any little bit of fuel contamination, it grenades the high pressure pump and distributes trash through the whole system. Injectors, rails, tank, pump, it all has to be gone through. Big money repair, it's an issue with all modern diesels.

I'm not real crazy about that belt drive either. Doesn't look easy to change, and a drive failure out at sea is a big problem.

The whole water-to-water cooling system seems pretty complicated too.

In Europe diesel is all they burn. Cheaper than gas and much easier to find. Over here your paying the rip off road tax on diesel that makes it so expensive. I can’t see them used much in recreation market because of cost but definitely see the commercial market in Europe, Australia, New Zeland and south America using a lot of them because of the fuel. Big motor cooling system isn’t complicated at all once you understand it. Wouldn’t have a problem with that belt drive. Those are tough for sure. Put over 100,000 miles on one a lot smaller on one Harley I had and 35,000 on the next one. I wouldn’t want to have to listen to that 50, fuel knock would drive me crazy. Those counter rotating crankshafts are a real piece of engineering in itself for sure.

Not much worry about someone unbolting it and running off with it. 350kg is almost 800 lbs.

Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

Not much worry about someone unbolting it and running off with it. 350kg is almost 800 lbs.

And that seems like way too much weight for the average fishing boat. Think about batteries for troller, starting and then add weight for 2 people and fishing gear and the boat would be on the bottom of the lake JMO

Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

Not much worry about someone unbolting it and running off with it. 350kg is almost 800 lbs.

Didn't catch that. For comparison a 200 Etec is 500 and change. Pretty big difference.

Wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole, IMHO.

I can see it having it's place.

Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

I can see it having it's place.

Where at? The bottom of the lake?