Automobile Desiel Engine in a boat?

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by CDK

JamesG, I thought you live in a free country.
I am in a banana republic where my engines are still registered as Mercruisers because nobody wanted to believe that I converted 2 engines from VW Vanagons. Without proper documents, issued by the engine builder, or a customs declaration where the words "boat engine" are mentioned the harbor office refused to enter them in my permit.
But the guy said it didn't matter because nobody will check......

I wonder if they are relaxed about that stuff here in the USA. It's too bad that everything is so regulated, but I guess that's the way it goes when there are so many people polluting the environment (myself included).

Originally Posted by powerabout

JamesG
Most of the 2010 US EPA inboard marine rules for petrols have been pushed back one year.
Because there are many shops that build new petrol engines that will not have the technology to comply they are talking about a 50 units and below exemption for small producers.
I can only guess that if you marinise a diesel you will be the manufacturer and hence exempt from the rules if they follow the petrol rules???

Outboard are much tougher, you can touch a post 2006 engine or big fine if caught.

Where do you guys learn all these rules and regulations? I'm totally lost. It seems like building a boat is 90% following regulations and 10% designing an building.

I'm starting to think the only way I'm going to build this is by hiring a Naval Architect. Is there a book to follow that makes building a boat from scratch easier? I'm trying to build a flexible concert stage/island, so i don't know if any books will help.

I'm really excited about building it out of a modular dock system because they flex with the waves and I can keep adding more blocks to make it bigger and bigger. The blocks even connect vertically, which is nice because i can make it stiffer and more buoyant.

[powerabout]

get it classed ABS and then just get exemption certificates for every rule breach,
seems to work for the vessel I am on at the moment.

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by powerabout

get it classed ABS and then just get exemption certificates for every rule breach,
seems to work for the vessel I am on at the moment.

That's a good idea! Do you think that would work even if i built a vessel using that modular dock product?

[TollyWally]

LOL,
That's not really a boat but more of a raft. If for some reason you feel compelled to travel in it fasten 1 or more real boats to it and away you go. Try not to run into anything, it will be embarrassing trying to give a rational explanation for your prediciment.

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by TollyWally

LOL,
That's not really a boat but more of a raft. If for some reason you feel compelled to travel in it fasten 1 or more real boats to it and away you go. Try not to run into anything, it will be embarrassing trying to give a rational explanation for your prediciment.

Pretty sweet huh!