On Fri, 26 Dec 2008 11:43:09 -0600, thunder wrote:

On Fri, 26 Dec 2008 09:01:05 -0800, CalifBill wrote:

http://www.megoutboard.com/index.php

Wonder how they would work on a triple engine Grady?

To me, it doesn't seem that the advantages of a diesel translate well to
an outboard engine, especially a turbo diesel. Am I missing something?

A turbo diesel can be a short stroke diesel that the turbo makes up the
boost to get compression ignition and higher RPM's using the short stroke.
The description sounds like a mini super charged Detroit. Blower on the
side of the block and four exhaust valves per cyl. high revs low maintenance.
Common fuel rail, Probably electronic injection. Sounds like a Mini 4-53 Detroit
style diesel on a strong lower unit to manage torque. Dry sumps have been
around a long time also.

Short stroke engines have less failure rate at high RPM's but still have
the torque of a diesel. 4000 RPM's is not that high for a short two stroke
engine. These are not large displacement diesels but put out good HP and
plenty of torque that you couldn't expect from a gas engine. The torque
makes the difference. The engine burns fuel around 100-1 ratio compared to
14-1 ratio for gas. I would expect them to be more reliable too. Heavier
crankshaft, etc.

I'd have no qualms with a diesel. Big or small, turbo or naturally
aspirated. Less to go wrong with compression ignition. I would prefer a
diesel if land isn't in sight and no sails. But that's just me. Clean fuel
is the key.

How many skiers do you need to pull? Not to mention the unmistakable knock
when you shut them down at the dock. That alone turns heads. Especially if
they are outboards. How do you pass that sound up.

The short version. They would be cheaper in the long run if you liked the
boat in the first place and kept it to use a long time and often, as in
lived on the waterfront that was always a turn key operation. An
investment with a better return than gas engines.

Ask Wayne, only his are naturally aspirated I believe, but Detroits rev up
for their size.

This isn't like a long stroke 20-1 compression ratio, low RPM, tractor engine.
Low HP,slow speed, extremely high torque.