Diesel outboards and jetboat engines coming

Rotary Power International Inc. of Wood-Ridge, N.J., has signed a letter of intent with Norway-based distributor Rother Advanced Power AS for the development of high-performance diesel outboards and sport jet engines.

“The objective is to develop a revolutionary diesel outboard engine with comparable power, size and weight of the latest generation 4-stroke petrol outboards,” Henry Gonzalez, RPI’s chief operating officer, said in a statement.

The project will be a joint venture between RPI, RAP and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. The new outboard will be based on the RPI Series 70, two (2) - rotor, 250 HP diesel fueled marine rotary engine. The first step will be the development of a prototype outboard engine ready for demonstration in August 2003.

RPI and RAP say they have great expectations for this development project.

“The RPI engine, Series 70 is probably the only diesel engine worldwide with such power to weight ratio that can be utilized in this manner,” Thor Henning Olsen, president and CEO of RAP, said in a statement.

Olsen said RPI’s diesel fueled outboards will be less flammable and offer better fuel consumption, wider rpm range, smaller size and lighter weight than traditional gasoline-powered outboards.

“It’s truly the technology of the future,” said Olsen.

This was reported today by Trade Only Today at www.tradeonlytoday.com

[Unregistered]

Dear Sirs,

I have the International protected patent rights of the air-cooled diesel outboard motor with a vertical crankshaft.

The motor weighs around 43 kg. It uses only 7,5 dcl (750 g) of diesel or bio-diesel fuel per hour at full power.

The prototype has successfully performed approximately 100 working hours. Compared to a 10 HP 2-stroke motor it has achieved cca 12 HP.

I would like to find a foreign company who would be interested in manufacturing these motors. Please give me a reply with possible suggestions of joint cooperation.


Yours Sincerely,


Boris Kunc,
inventor

[gonzo]

Can you post the specifications? Also, I would like to know what kind of testing was done. The FICT motors were a huge failure and caused OMC to go bankrupt. Their testing was faulty and failed to find a significant design flaw. Also 100 hours is hardly enough to test the durability of a motor. In commercial use it would be the equivalent to 2-3 weeks.

[Anders Bilgram]

It sounds very interesting with the development of this diesel outboard engine. Could you please let me know how the status of the project is? Has there been testings, and when will the engine be available? I ask as the leader of the Polar Passage 2000 Expedition ( www.polar.ing.dk ). We could actually test the engine in Arctic waters!

Kind regards from Anders Bilgram

Rotary Power International Inc. of Wood-Ridge, N.J., has signed a letter of intent with Norway-based distributor Rother Advanced Power AS for the development of high-performance diesel outboards and sport jet engines.

“The objective is to develop a revolutionary diesel outboard engine with comparable power, size and weight of the latest generation 4-stroke petrol outboards,” Henry Gonzalez, RPI’s chief operating officer, said in a statement.

The project will be a joint venture between RPI, RAP and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. The new outboard will be based on the RPI Series 70, two (2) - rotor, 250 HP diesel fueled marine rotary engine. The first step will be the development of a prototype outboard engine ready for demonstration in August 2003.

RPI and RAP say they have great expectations for this development project.

“The RPI engine, Series 70 is probably the only diesel engine worldwide with such power to weight ratio that can be utilized in this manner,” Thor Henning Olsen, president and CEO of RAP, said in a statement.

Olsen said RPI’s diesel fueled outboards will be less flammable and offer better fuel consumption, wider rpm range, smaller size and lighter weight than traditional gasoline-powered outboards.

“It’s truly the technology of the future,” said Olsen.

This was reported today by Trade Only Today at www.tradeonlytoday.com

[David J Soul]

Dear sir,

We have developed a diesel engine that weighs 92kg and produces 105HP without a turbocharger. It was developed primarily for use in light aircraft and is undergoing CAA JARE certification. However is has subsequently been used by SOCOM (special operations command of the US military) for an unmanned UAV.
We are looking for it's use in other applications such as outboard motors for boats and we have slotted it into an existing outboard cowl of an existing petrol engine of similar power.

I came accross this webpage and noticed your reply to another engine builder and was wondering if you would be able to offer us some advice on this market and how to pursue it?

Please visit our website www.dair.co.uk and we would appreciate any response to sales@dair.co.uk


Kind regards,


David J Soul.




Can you post the specifications? Also, I would like to know what kind of testing was done. The FICT motors were a huge failure and caused OMC to go bankrupt. Their testing was faulty and failed to find a significant design flaw. Also 100 hours is hardly enough to test the durability of a motor. In commercial use it would be the equivalent to 2-3 weeks.

[captword]

Whatever happened to the japaneze version. I think it was a tahatzu or a susuki prototype deisel outboard. They were working on it about 4 to 5 years ago. A local friend somehow got to test drive one of these motors for a year. It had awesome fuel milage/time. Something like 5 to 8 gallons a day.being run almost all day. Probably a third of the time running the rest trolling with an occasional stop for clamming. he said that the only problem that they had with it was the fuel shut off. The only way that he could get it to shut off was to unplug the fuel tank. It would run for another 15 to 30 minutes before it would shut off. After the year was up he sent the motor back and we havent heard any more about it. I think it was a 35 or 50 hp version and he had it on a 20 ft carolina skiff.
Howard

[DSW]

Guys,

Yanmar have 2 fantastic diesel outboards. Check them out. The Australian Royal Navy use the extensivley on R.I.B's

One application even has them set up as twin-outboard with a single tiller steer!

Cheers,

[Sherif Eldibani]

Please keep us informed of the status of the development.



Dear Sirs,

I have the International protected patent rights of the air-cooled diesel outboard motor with a vertical crankshaft.

The motor weighs around 43 kg. It uses only 7,5 dcl (750 g) of diesel or bio-diesel fuel per hour at full power.

The prototype has successfully performed approximately 100 working hours. Compared to a 10 HP 2-stroke motor it has achieved cca 12 HP.

I would like to find a foreign company who would be interested in manufacturing these motors. Please give me a reply with possible suggestions of joint cooperation.


Yours Sincerely,


Boris Kunc,
inventor

[Anders Bilgram]

Mr. Boris Kunc!

Would you be interested in a test of your engine on a polar expedition?

Regards from Anders Bilgram




Dear Sirs,

I have the International protected patent rights of the air-cooled diesel outboard motor with a vertical crankshaft.

The motor weighs around 43 kg. It uses only 7,5 dcl (750 g) of diesel or bio-diesel fuel per hour at full power.

The prototype has successfully performed approximately 100 working hours. Compared to a 10 HP 2-stroke motor it has achieved cca 12 HP.

I would like to find a foreign company who would be interested in manufacturing these motors. Please give me a reply with possible suggestions of joint cooperation.


Yours Sincerely,


Boris Kunc,
inventor

[Pat Fowler]

Please, what is the projected availability of the RPI-RAP diesel outboard engine or has the project been canceled?

Rotary Power International Inc. of Wood-Ridge, N.J., has signed a letter of intent with Norway-based distributor Rother Advanced Power AS for the development of high-performance diesel outboards and sport jet engines.

“The objective is to develop a revolutionary diesel outboard engine with comparable power, size and weight of the latest generation 4-stroke petrol outboards,” Henry Gonzalez, RPI’s chief operating officer, said in a statement.

The project will be a joint venture between RPI, RAP and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. The new outboard will be based on the RPI Series 70, two (2) - rotor, 250 HP diesel fueled marine rotary engine. The first step will be the development of a prototype outboard engine ready for demonstration in August 2003.

RPI and RAP say they have great expectations for this development project.

“The RPI engine, Series 70 is probably the only diesel engine worldwide with such power to weight ratio that can be utilized in this manner,” Thor Henning Olsen, president and CEO of RAP, said in a statement.

Olsen said RPI’s diesel fueled outboards will be less flammable and offer better fuel consumption, wider rpm range, smaller size and lighter weight than traditional gasoline-powered outboards.

“It’s truly the technology of the future,” said Olsen.

This was reported today by Trade Only Today at www.tradeonlytoday.com

[Tim Exley]

I thought the U.S. EPA had banned the use of Diesel outboards. I was inquiring about the availability of the Yanmar Diesel outboards and was told that they could no longer be imported into the U.S.

I would think that for a U.S. produced Diesel outboard there would be a lot of rings to jump through with the regulators.

[gonzo]

The regulations are available to the public. There are no more "hoops" to jump than for a gas engine.

[Tim Exley]

With the 2006 EPA requirements there are still plenty of hoops to jump through. And I might add with very little, if any, benefit to the environment. I'm all for moving ahead with Diesel outboards.

[dereksireci]

Sounds like we are still years away from a viable diesel outboard. But keep trying. As Thomas Edison said, "Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration."

[gonzo]

Anyone that has looked behind their boat after starting a new outboard can see the benefits to the environment. The old motors left a huge oil slick behind. Also, the 30-40% more economy of the new motors means that all that extra unburned fuel doesn't end up in the water. The regulations work, because the manufacturers and the public were not willing to spend the money to develop new technology.

[dereksireci]

But Gonzo, I used to love my 1956 Evinrude Lark 35hp short shaft. 25:1 fuel to oil ratio. You'd start her up, (pull or electric) and emerge from a cloud of blue smoke with that lovely petroleum sheen on the sea around you. I can just smell it now! And I thought bluefish were naturally oily?

[gonzo]

I know what you mean about the pre-oiled fish. Since the advent of EPA regulations I started cooking my catch in teflon coated pans.

[Doug2]

http://www.dieselmarine.net/

25hp marine diesel outboard meeting all existing and proposed European and US environmental protection agency legislation.

Know nothing else about it, thought it might be of interest to you.

Cheers

Doug

[nik]

dear sir
i have read your articale about the outboard diesel engine that a norwigen company is developeing.
i have purchased a harriskayot float boat which must have a deisel out board engine to recive my commercail licence, in doing snorkeling triips etc.
i have 90 hsp mercury engine on the boat but can not expand my business with a gas motor, need diesel.
can you plese help in my problem or direct me to some one who sells diesel out board engines.
thank you
nik isidorou

[Don Bryner]

diesel outboards available at morganequipment.net

[Richard Petersen]

They may do it all, but what about G M Volvo and Mercruiser saying, OK. I don't think so.

[Richard Petersen]

They may do it all, but what about G M Volvo and Mercruiser saying, OK. I don't think so.

[Rothor]

The project regarding diesel powered Outboard is still on but severely delayed due to RPI.

We are slowly moving forward after RPI went "pinklisted" and we lost our investment, we need to get new finances to get this project going.

And yes we're worried about "the big ones" letting us have success.

Kind regards,
Thor Henning Olsen

[mattotoole]

What I'd really like to see happen are really small diesel outboards, 2-10 HP. Though I have 500 gal of diesel in the bilge, I still have to carry jerry cans of gasoline in the lazarette to operate the dinghy. As nice as the new Honda 4 strokes are, this is still a pain.

Also, there are plenty of trailer-sailers that could benefit from a 6-10 HP diesel outboard. This is potentially a big market, probably at least as big as for the 25-30 HP units currently offered.

Outboard motors have come a long way in the last few years, which may not have happened if not for environmental regs. But they could still come a lot further, particularly with respect to weight and size. Lightweight alloys and omposite materials could be used for the chassis/shaft, etc., especially in the smaller units.

[D'ARTOIS]

Is you rotary Diesel based on the Wankel principle - the Wankel engine? And, what means "pink listed"?

A diesel outboard might indeed cause a lot of commercial damage to the big brands.

[Richard Petersen]

I think diesel OB's need a chance.

[Richard Petersen]

How hard is it to pull a cord on a 6 to 10 hp Diesel?

[Raggi_Thor]

I found in another thread on this site:
http://www.yanmar.com.au/marine/d_series/dseries.htm

[cyclops]

IS THE smell gone ?

[tom kane]

Diesel outboards have been coming for a long time.March 1960 Popular Mechanics magazine shows an air cooled diesel rated at seven and a half HP.Fifteen and twenty two HP planned.Must be a problem some where putting diesel outboards on the market.

[gonzo]

A pull start diesel with a decompressor is possible. The problem is that they are big and heavy.

[tom kane]

A 36 HP Yanmar outboard.

[cyclops]

Looks normal to me.

[tom kane]

Quick refrence chart for Yanmar Diesel www.yanmar.com.au/grg.htm also Yanma Diesel outboard at www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Boats-marine/Mototboats/auction-39432068

[naturewaterboy]

gonzo,
Yep. And it's about time - cleaning up the engines and increasing fuel efficiency isn't rocket science.

[Frosty]

,
cleaning up the engines and increasing fuel efficiency isn't rocket science.

Really-- perhaps you could tell us how you can do that then?

[Crag Cay]

I've specced Yanmar diesel outboards on work boats for fish farms, etc, but recently have been told by the Yanmar dealers here that the diesel outboards are no longer really availble. I believe they were only ever batch built in response to someone like the Australian Government ordering a load at a time.

Although they found favour in some markets, they were horrendously expensive and heavy with only two (low-ish) power options.

I think the advent of the larger 4 stroke petrol OB's killed them off for most uses.

[brian eiland]

Here's an interesting looking engine development from Australia. It was brought to my attention on another subject thread dealing with diesel/electric technology
http://home.iprimus.com.au/stevewest/feature/Piston%20Broker.html (http://home.iprimus.com.au/stevewest/feature/Piston%20Broker.html)

If that reference expires look here:
http://www.revetec.com/ (http://www.revetec.com/)

[Guillermo]

JetPac has two jet propelled diesel outboards, 150 and 200 HP (A different kind)
Bulky but efficient, allow for outstanding maneouvrability and reduced consumption. CE marked.
I have personally had nice feedbacks from professional users.
See:
http://www.swordmarine.com/

[foilcats]

Diesel outboards have been availble for awhile from a Chinese Manufacture Zhongshen, they have since stoped production and now a marine Company in India who had some samples from them has improved and started to remake them and offer the 10Hp Diesel outboards, these use standard Engines that are Availble from China and are very economically priced, starting at around 900USD, they also have a power pole version of the outboards,
see http://www.goodsdirect.net/dieseloutboards.htm all these types engines are in productions,