On Mon, 07 Feb 2005 20:41:30 GMT, ewan wrote:

this is more of a theoretical question more than anything else but a
couple of mates and i were chatting about boat building and engines in
general.

basicly ive heard a lot of engines are based upon marinised car
engine based but i got to thinking how simple it would be to use a shaft
drive bike engine {1} since theres a wide range of shaft drive engines
from 550s to 1100cc especialy the 900cc yamaha diversion engine which is
dirt cheap. i know the engines wouldnt last as long but sing they start at
£80 from breakers{2} means it could be treated as disposable item like
petrol.

im just posting to see if there is any serious flaws in the idea such as
not enough torque or other variables



{1} i guess i would have to work out the forces and calculate propeller
assuming the revs arent to high

{2} breakers tend to sell all the stuff that breaks in a crash like
plastic and bits that rust leaving them with the engine which most folk
dont want to replace

I will kick the idea around a little - if you wish.

I hear that one engine fitted in a Harley comes from the Ford [KIA]
Festiva - this is a water-cooled 1.3 liter engine - it's a good one,
no doubt.

This is a free-reving, spritely compact-car engine.
It uses electronic engine control - one secret of auto engine
longevity these days .... a lean engine is a clean engine ....

A sensible gear box that can take plenty of thrust is a requirement.
But the self contained water-cooling avoids the salt I guess.
Or how about an air cooled engine?
Loud, needs cooling
Auto engines are not the best at slogging hour after hour. (That's
when you need an egine - the mast or sails have given up...)

Brian W