Engine for Antarctica

Discussion in 'Motorsailers' started by Letsgosailing, Sep 13, 2018.

  1. Letsgosailing
    Joined: Sep 2018
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    Letsgosailing Junior Member

    I'm in the early stages of planning a trip to Arctic waters with the prospect of later going to Antarctica with several crew members whom are helping me with the future necessary refit. However some debate has arisen that needs to be settled.

    Would it be a reasonable prospect to fit an outboard as the main engine. The benefits being, less through hulls, no prop shaft or propeller to tangle, leak or be damaged, increased interior stowage, easier maintenance, removable from the water when out of use.

    In theory it sounds like a good idea. But how long could you realistically run an outboard for as a main engine in possible very rough conditions. Would the engine require alterations to make it more suitable for cold conditions and the hostile environment.

    I know larger Wharrams designs use lifting outboards that were the inspiration for the idea.
    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. rwatson
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    rwatson Senior Member

    I'll get PDWiley to reply to you, as he has had Antarctic experience.

    Mind you, the recent new diesel outboards from a couple of suppliers might make a difference.

    The biggest issue after reliability, is the ability to fix an engine problem in a howling , icy gale. As I understand it, trying to hang off an outboard is no match for the snug engine bay. In the Antarctic, you don't always have the luxury of anchoring till daylight either.
     
  3. JamesG123
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    JamesG123 Senior Member

    If you've never even been to the Arctic, much less the Antarctic, I would recommend getting hired or volunteering for something going as close as you can get. Scientific mission, oil platform, fishing, etc. Anything to get at least a summer season, preferably an over-winter, under your belt so you know the questions you don't even know to ask yet (and "outboards" is not one of them). The high latitudes do not suffer fools.
     
  4. JosephT
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    JosephT Senior Member

    If you're sailing near the polar regions you'll really want an inboard diesel. The main benefit, aside from propulsion, is power generation and heat for the cabin. Both are huge factors you cannot ignore.

    Design tips:

    1. Sound proof the engine cowling.

    2. Put some sleeping berths adjacent to the engine cowling. Very handy for those more prone to cold weather. Warm, toasty bunks help cold crew mates recover.

    The diesels are just more reliable. No need to reinvent the wheel.
     
  5. Letsgosailing
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    Letsgosailing Junior Member

    Just to put minds at ease. I have no intention of just heading off for a bash up north or down south. It's a long term goal at the moment with the end goal being to have a vessel capable of incredible seaworthiness and for the adventure. It is certainly not to test our luck, tempt fate or stir up a hornets nest of negativity toward other seafarers through reckless actions.
    Having an open ended time schedule simply leaves our vessel refit possibilities open to the exploration of possibilities and alternatives to the norm, some of which are so far worthy of looking into further before being dismissed.

    in brief: It's all theoretical at this point.
     
  6. JamesG123
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    JamesG123 Senior Member

    Yeah... okay. My recommendation still stands. And you need to figure out how you are going to pay for your "adventure" before you need to think about technicals.
     
  7. Letsgosailing
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    Letsgosailing Junior Member

    Oh, I agree with you. I'm just curious what people think of the concept. I want to try and avoid through hulls as much as possible, raw water intake, mixing elbows and stuffing boxes could be done away with if a sufficient outboard was employed.
    Between myself and companions we have sufficient funds to invest in the project. Which is still some years off.
     
  8. JamesG123
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    JamesG123 Senior Member

    Yer nuckin' futs. lol
     
  9. Angélique
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    Angélique aka Angel (only by name)

    If it's about a steel or alu boat, then you can build a skin cooling tank and fill the whole system with antifreeze coolant without using any through hulls for cooling the engine.
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2018
  10. Angélique
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    Angélique aka Angel (only by name)

    MARINE ENGINES & PROPULSION ---> Chapter 5: Engine cooling

    See ‘‘Skin’’ second from left in the first sketch...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    12 is then the skin cooling tank with internal routing, this is inside the hull which makes it less prone to damage by ice floes, in fact you have a double hull skin there.

    ‘‘ Keel cooling has the great advantage that there is no external water inlet that may become clogged and restrict engine cooling, particularly if the vessel is operating in silty shallow areas. The disadvantages include that marine growth on the pipe will impair heat transfer requiring slipping to clean the keel cooling pipes. Unless shielded the external the pipes are subject to impact damage from flotsam or grounding. ’’
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2018
  11. Letsgosailing
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    Letsgosailing Junior Member

    I've only ever seen such systems used on larger vessels such as Brupeg, the YouTube project. My initial thoughts would be that they would be quite vulnerable (yet the system exists so surely it works well enough). But I suppose that risk could be reduced if you reduced the length of piping. Lower sea temps in high latitudes would surely still cool the coolant sufficiently (I assume). That 'box' style however could hold some potential I've never seen that style before. Thanks for that Angelique
     
  12. Angélique
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    Angélique aka Angel (only by name)

    I talk about inside the hull, I've added a bit to my previous post.
     
  13. JosephT
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    JosephT Senior Member

    By sheer luck I found a custom polar yacht for sale on Yachtworld. It was purpose built to withstand extreme polar conditions. Study the boat specification well as you consider your adventure. Many design features are bolstered to ensure mission success, which was completed in 2016.

    [​IMG]

    Google the boat name "Magnus Zaremba" and you'll find more details on the project. Wishing you a warm, safe and luxurious cruise. :D If you have a valid research project, you might be able to obtain a grant to buy or lease the vessel. Good luck!

    2013 Arctic Sailing Research Vessel Oceanographic Polar Scientific Sail Boat For Sale https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2013/Arctic-Sailing-Research-Vessel-Oceanographic-Polar-Scientific-3069015/Warsaw/Poland
     
  14. Angélique
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    Angélique aka Angel (only by name)

    JosephT likes this.

  15. Letsgosailing
    Joined: Sep 2018
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    Letsgosailing Junior Member

    I see now it does show the cooling running inside the hull unlike the other external styles. Thanks again they are nice and clear resources.

    I'm sure we could think of some way to make our contribution to science...Any ideas... anyone...?
    But seriously. Wow. I'll give that a look into. I don't usually bother looking at the expensive listings it makes me wince, and slightly jealous. But that's a good idea in terms of the specifications. Thanks for the well wishes.
     
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