I have only had smaller boats with outboards and would like to get a larger boat.
The ones in my price range have engine issues and here is my question.
I understand the preference for diesel over gas but I have never heard
of anyone simply replacing an inboard with a normal engine such as from a
go-kart or Volkswagon or one of those 3 cylinder japanese cars.
I don't see the advantage of a marine engine since when they get wet they are
filled with rust and seized as would my 6hp go-kart engine.

So, does anyone know why I can't replace an engine with a normal gas engine?

Thanks,
Frank

Sure you can, but it may require lots of effort to get it to fit and you
need to be concerned with the proper gearing for the prop, etc. If you've
got a lot of time and not much money, it will be a good learning experience.
:-)

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"woopei" wrote in message
...
I have only had smaller boats with outboards and would like to get a larger
boat.
The ones in my price range have engine issues and here is my question.
I understand the preference for diesel over gas but I have never heard
of anyone simply replacing an inboard with a normal engine such as from a
go-kart or Volkswagon or one of those 3 cylinder japanese cars.
I don't see the advantage of a marine engine since when they get wet they
are
filled with rust and seized as would my 6hp go-kart engine.

So, does anyone know why I can't replace an engine with a normal gas
engine?

Thanks,
Frank

I've seen a Honda air cooled motor that mated to a saildrive
unit. Can't find a web site, but I remember seeing it
somewhere.
You would need to provide enough air flow for cooling. I'd
want to wrap the exhaust with asbestos, also.

Scotty

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
Sure you can, but it may require lots of effort to get it
to fit and you
need to be concerned with the proper gearing for the prop,
etc. If you've
got a lot of time and not much money, it will be a good
learning experience.
:-)

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"woopei" wrote in message
...
I have only had smaller boats with outboards and would
like to get a larger
boat.
The ones in my price range have engine issues and here
is my question.
I understand the preference for diesel over gas but I
have never heard
of anyone simply replacing an inboard with a normal
engine such as from a
go-kart or Volkswagon or one of those 3 cylinder
japanese cars.
I don't see the advantage of a marine engine since when
they get wet they
are
filled with rust and seized as would my 6hp go-kart
engine.

So, does anyone know why I can't replace an engine with
a normal gas
engine?

Thanks,
Frank

but I have never heard of anyone simply replacing an inboard with a
normal engine such as from a
go-kart or Volkswagon

Why that complicated? I'd like to know why manufactures haven't
switched to installing B&S or Kohler lawn tractor engines in boats.
Just think when it blows up it could be replaced for $400-$600 instead
of the $6,000 that Yanmar wants. A 2cyl lawn tractor engine has as
much HP as a Yanmar. What's the problem?

You can even use the blade instead of the prop...

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Ringmaster" wrote in message
oups.com...
but I have never heard of anyone simply replacing an inboard with a
normal engine such as from a
go-kart or Volkswagon

Why that complicated? I'd like to know why manufactures haven't
switched to installing B&S or Kohler lawn tractor engines in boats.
Just think when it blows up it could be replaced for $400-$600 instead
of the $6,000 that Yanmar wants. A 2cyl lawn tractor engine has as
much HP as a Yanmar. What's the problem?

On my first boat I stole my Grandmas Victrola, the wind up
type, and hooked it up to a fan blade. Worked well until
Granny found out.

Scotty


"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
You can even use the blade instead of the prop...

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Ringmaster" wrote in message

oups.com..
..
but I have never heard of anyone simply replacing an
inboard with a
normal engine such as from a
go-kart or Volkswagon

Why that complicated? I'd like to know why manufactures
haven't
switched to installing B&S or Kohler lawn tractor
engines in boats.
Just think when it blows up it could be replaced for
$400-$600 instead
of the $6,000 that Yanmar wants. A 2cyl lawn tractor
engine has as
much HP as a Yanmar. What's the problem?

Ringmaster wrote:
but I have never heard of anyone simply replacing an inboard with a
normal engine such as from a
go-kart or Volkswagon

Why that complicated? I'd like to know why manufactures haven't
switched to installing B&S or Kohler lawn tractor engines in boats.
Just think when it blows up it could be replaced for $400-$600 instead
of the $6,000 that Yanmar wants. A 2cyl lawn tractor engine has as
much HP as a Yanmar. What's the problem?

I just saw an add dor a marin e diesel made from a Kubota tractor
enfine...I think ti was in the new Carolina sailing magazine...

My Catalina came with a 'Universal Atomic diesel' of 28 hp which is a fully
marinised Kubota engine. Most marine engines now are based on industrial
engines as purpose built marine units would not generate sufficient quantity
of orders to achieve a reasonable selling price.

"katy" wrote in message
...
Ringmaster wrote:
but I have never heard of anyone simply replacing an inboard with a
normal engine such as from a
go-kart or Volkswagon

Why that complicated? I'd like to know why manufactures haven't
switched to installing B&S or Kohler lawn tractor engines in boats.
Just think when it blows up it could be replaced for $400-$600 instead
of the $6,000 that Yanmar wants. A 2cyl lawn tractor engine has as
much HP as a Yanmar. What's the problem?

I just saw an add dor a marin e diesel made from a Kubota tractor
enfine...I think ti was in the new Carolina sailing magazine...

On Mon, 20 Nov 2006 13:35:16 +0100, "Edgar"
wrote:

My Catalina came with a 'Universal Atomic diesel' of 28 hp which is a fully
marinised Kubota engine. Most marine engines now are based on industrial
engines as purpose built marine units would not generate sufficient quantity
of orders to achieve a reasonable selling price.

True. The atomic four gasoline engine was just a marine converted
industrial engine used in welding machines, lift trucks, pumps,
compressors, generators and a miriad of other industrial applications.
When I needed parts, I went to the industrial suppliers, much less
expensive than the marine sources.

Frank

"katy" wrote in message
...
Ringmaster wrote:
but I have never heard of anyone simply replacing an inboard with a
normal engine such as from a
go-kart or Volkswagon

Why that complicated? I'd like to know why manufactures haven't
switched to installing B&S or Kohler lawn tractor engines in boats.
Just think when it blows up it could be replaced for $400-$600 instead
of the $6,000 that Yanmar wants. A 2cyl lawn tractor engine has as
much HP as a Yanmar. What's the problem?

I just saw an add dor a marin e diesel made from a Kubota tractor
enfine...I think ti was in the new Carolina sailing magazine...

but I have never heard of anyone simply replacing an inboard with a
normal engine such as from a
go-kart or Volkswagon

Ringmaster wrote:
Why that complicated? I'd like to know why manufactures haven't
switched to installing B&S or Kohler lawn tractor engines in boats.

Probably because they can't get marine safety approval.

Just think when it blows up it could be replaced for $400-$600 instead
of the $6,000 that Yanmar wants.

And it could blow up your whole boat with it.


It would be possible to stick a lawn mower engine in a boat,
but it would have to be in a vapor tight enclosure which
would make it a PITA. Efficiency would be terrible.

A 2cyl lawn tractor engine has as
much HP as a Yanmar. What's the problem?


Torque & RPM mismatch. A propellor in the water wants to
turn slow with lots of grunt. Jetskis sole this problem by
convertin hi RPMs and low torque into a pressurized column
of water, which is released as velocity.... energy into the
water equals boat moving forward. Works well for a
lightweight high speed craft.

Two big problems for marine installations are fuel vapor,
which is what blows up so many gas powered inboard boats,
and cooling. Scandinavian boats have (or used to have) air
cooling and it worked great two ways, nice warm cabin and
efficient engine cooling. But in a warmer climate, the cabin
will become a sweatbox and the engine will run too hot.

If you had a small cheap engine that could be water cooled
and had fuel injection, I'd say that would be a good
candidate for dropping into a boat. Be prepared for a LOT of
work though; and do youor homework! Unless you've got the
right prop & tranny combination, the end result will not
propel the boat well enough to feel worth the labor.

DSK