Marinising of Diesel Engine

Gonzo, does the emissions situation only apply to commercial vessels ? Re-powering a private yacht seems pretty straight forward and to the best of my knowledge there is no emissions equipment beyond engine calibration on engines in the HP range that generally applies ?

 

No, it also applies to repowering. For example, you can't buy a whole new engine/transmission package that doesn't comply with emissions; at least legally. I think that is the reason they are buying a sub-standard engine and trying to marinize it and hope to save money.

 

Who keeps track of installed engines on pleasure craft ? If the vessel was built in 82 and I put a newer Yanmar from the 2000's into it, who is going to be any the wiser ?

 

If you buy a new engine/transmission package it will be emission compliant. They make you send the old engine in too. If you replace the engine with a used one, is not likely anyone will say anything. At least until maybe a survey or possible buyer brings it up. However, if you are a professional and are installing a new engine, it is a huge liability.

 

How do you suppose this is going to work out for Seeker, with his modified Cummins bus engine? Does the engine status only matter for commercial, coast guard certified vessels ? The coast guard of course concerns itself with much more than just emissions compliance...

 

I don't know how this is handled in the US, in the EU when you first go register a new leisure boat you have to present the CE conformity certificate for the engine (includes emission compliance). The motor manufacturer/seller/installer is required to provide you with one at first sale. If you buy a used engine without one you can normally get the certificate free of charge from the manufacturer/importer.

If you modify a motor yourself you could in theory be required to do a post construction assessment. Self builds are excused from hull certification but they are not excused from engine certification. How strictly this is enforced by the individual countries authorities differs.