Will an outboard run on LPG?

[SgBFish]

This is a naive question.
I'm sure the mechanics out there would have an idea?
The tank would be an issue in small boats but larger ones where the price gain would be greatest the space issue would be a problem. Particularly for boats with inboards.

Any thoughts or am I mad.
Cheers,
Scott

[billfisher]

I'm sure you can. I remember seeing a convervion kit advertised some time back.

[MulletMan]

Stradbroke Water Taxis had some big Yammies running on LPG for many years.
They operate out of Toondah Harbour, maybe drop down and have a chat to them ..................?

[Darryl]

We had a couple of shark cats here on the island that ran on LPG. Can look into it more if you like.


Darryl.

[charleville]

I drive an LPG car and absolutely love it.

BUT...

(1) LPG does give less kilometres per litre than petrol and has noticeably less power. If the car engine is big enough it is not a real problem. That could be a different situation on a boat.

(2) my ex-taxi owning brother used to buy ex-police cars for taxis and convert them to LPG but says that after a couple of years the converters start to play up. No problems with my car after 14 months but it was factory fitted and (shame, shame, shame :-/) I have only done 15000 K in that time. ( Well I don't live that far from the boat ramp so I don't do a lot of km ;) )

So you would have to consider these issues on application of LPG to boating. On the upside, LPG exhibits none of those awful exhaust smells from a petrol motor and the motor runs very smoothly, especially at low revs.

[nigelr]

Sounds like an opportunity for some smart automotive engineering graduate! ;)
Reacon they'd be popular given the price of fuel!
Maybe the next E-tec! :)
Cheers.

[Spaniard_King]

I would say there a re a few problems with this altho a 160 litre gas tank mounted toward the rear of ya boat may change ya mind ::)

takin into account the extra gass used per klm would 160 be enough

I would also like to see what an insurance company would have to say about it

Garry

[peterbo3]

Yes, as others have said, you probably could run an outboard on LPG. ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
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But it would be like having sex standing up in a hammock........................................... .................................................. ........
Possible in theory but a real waste of time & effort. Why would you even consider it :o :o :o

[88fishframe]

What about wear on the motor? I looked into LPG for my 5.7L V8 Commodore. Afer getting onto the LS1.com.au chatsite I decided against it - not neccessarily good for the engine itself. ?? :-/??

[2iar]

Slightly off subject, I've had LPG running in the Cruiser for the 5 years I've owned it, and never had any problems with it. I bought it 2nd hand when it was only 2 years old, and the guy who traded it in must have been nuts as he'd have never got the money back for the conversion - maybe it was a tax deduction or something. even though it doesn't go as far on LPG as when I run it on petrol, I'm still well in front these days at 49.9c/litre from my local BP. I've never noticed any power drop in the 4.5l engine.

Anyway, back to the point - there was a company in Melbourne who were selling conversion kits for outboards, but from memory they only fitted Yammies.

Good luck,
Mike

[charleville]

the guy who traded it in must have been nuts as he'd have never got the money back for the conversion


Ah yes, Mike, but when you hook up your boat trailer with engine running, the fumes are much better smelling, even if you would still be breathing in lots of carbon monoxide. Plus, it would be a much smoother running engine.

Likewise, I don't seriously think that it is a good option for recreational boaties as the loss of #travelling distance capacity and loss of onboard space to the gas bottle would be serious impediments. #I went from a Ford Fairmont Ghia to a basic LPG Falcon and can testify to the loss of acceleration that I notice on hills but as I drive pretty well everywhere with cruise control on, it is not of any practicable impediment. #Different story in all but displacement hulls, I would think.

However, I remain in love with my factory built LPG car. I ain't never buying a petrol car again! #;)

[dnej]

Little joke

How do you premix with 2 stroke oil?
David

[2iar]

the guy who traded it in must have been nuts as he'd have never got the money back for the conversion


Ah yes, Mike, but when you hook up your boat trailer with engine running, the fumes are much better smelling, even if you would still be breathing in lots of carbon monoxide. Plus, it would be a much smoother running engine.


I agree mate, but I don't think he ever towed with it. The towbar never showed ANY signs of it. He'd put all the bells and whistles on as well (bull bar, tow bar, window tint, spare wheel bracket etc). That's why I think he was either tax dodging, in financial strife or just plain nuts. It would have cost a fortune to get all that done (including the conversion), and he only kept it for 2 years/40,000 km's, and I got it for bang-on book price for a "standard" Cruiser.

I'm certainly not complaining though ;)

Good luck,
Mike

[2iar]

Little joke

How do you premix with 2 stroke oil?
David

Very cautiously [smiley=fireman.gif]

Good luck,
Mike

[Sandman]

Hi guys i did look into it and spoke to the fellow in Melbourne , and yes they do do Yammies but no other . He also pointed out that there was difficulties with this type of conversion (obviously space) No help to me as i run a Honda.
Certainly an alternative would be nice and cleaner.
Regards
Mick

[charleville]

I don't think he ever towed with it. The towbar never showed ANY signs of it. He'd put all the bells and whistles on as well (bull bar, tow bar, window tint, spare wheel bracket etc). That's why I think he was either tax dodging, in financial strife or just plain nuts. It would have cost a fortune to get all that done (including the conversion), and he only kept it for 2 years/40,000 km's, and I got it for bang-on book price for a "standard" Cruiser.

I'm certainly not complaining though #;)


Sounds like a great deal. Well done!

:)