Diesel outboard engine... could an actual inboard diesel be next?

[IDBoating]

Here is the website for a new outboard diesel engine. There's been talk of using a diesel as an inboard engine for years, and I've seen at least one retrofit. However, to my knowledge nobody so far has been able to make a successful production inboard with diesel power. Perhaps now that the outboard industry has lead the way, inboards may follow? Fuel prices are low right now, but they'll go up again someday and the efficiencies of Diesel would be nice. Not to mention the torque!

[Bryan]

Saw a build thread with vids on a diesel forum I'm on. A SoCal diesel shop put a duramax in a mastercraft x-80... It was pretty cool. Took some doing but the vids at the end looked pretty cool...

http://www.duramaxforum.com/forum/dm...t-started.html

[UNSTUCK]

I followed that x80 build. Then they just dropped it. Where is it now? How's it doing,ect?

[Bryan]

I don't know where it went.. The guy was the owner @ dmaxstore.com and I think they did a few more vids on their own forum there, but that's the last I saw of it. Could you imagine some of these new surf boats with the weight of a diesel.. I'm with IDBoating.. The fuel efficiency alone should have some manufactures looking at it...

[IDBoating]

I've spoken with several manufacturers about it. Most of them have tried it, some multiple times, but there's always some reason it didn't work out. I'm hoping this outboard inspires someone to give it another try. Seriously, if they can successfully package a diesel in an outboard cowling, they've got to be able to do it in a full blown engine compartment!

[WYTige?]

I imagine part of the issue is diesel being available at pumps at the docks.

[dukesofhazzard]

what's that outboard worth though, if its an extra 10,000 on top, that is alot of extra gas to make up, get back in resale value?, torque would be nice though. 5.9 cummins and all its weight and torque, just imagine the prop you could spin.hahaha

[Captainkurk72]

Pavati has a diesel option. Mercury 8.2L. I am sure this will be out of price range for most. Me for sure but would be nice and diesel is at most our gas socks.


http://pavati.com/al-24/



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[UNSTUCK]

And not just diesel, guys. Red diesel!

For comparable power the up barge on the new supercharged engines is around $17000, or so I was told. I have not doubt in my mind I could put a Duramax in my boat for that price, or less.

[Bryan]

^^^ start a build thread... TAPS 21 and a Dmax... I'd love to watch

[chpthril]

I've spoken with several manufacturers about it. Most of them have tried it, some multiple times, but there's always some reason it didn't work out. I'm hoping this outboard inspires someone to give it another try. Seriously, if they can successfully package a diesel in an outboard cowling, they've got to be able to do it in a full blown engine compartment!

Doing its easy, doing it because it makes financial sense, doesnt. Thats why we are rollin' coal behind our wake boats. No market, period.

[chpthril]

I imagine part of the issue is diesel being available at pumps at the docks.

it is for inland fresh water, but not salt marinas where you would find lots of outboard off shore boats.

[UNSTUCK]

How can there be no market for it? Who on this board has ever been asked by a boat builder if they would be interested in buying a diesel powered tow boat? I haven't. Red diesel is about $.50 cheaper than clear. That puts it at or below gas prices. It may be more expensive to buy, compared to a base engine, but should be cheaper to run. And no doubt, will run longer than a gasser. Sign me up!

[chpthril]

People sell things they think they can make a dime on and dont sell when they feel there is no market. If there was a profit to be had, I assure you we would see a diesel. Are there people out there that would buy? Sure. Are there enough to constitute a "market"? well, the lack of a diesel option seems to answer that for us. Gov-Co is the only entity i know that is in the biz to provide a product or service and worry about making a profit.

Why dont we see but a couple diesel car options here in the US, when they are the dominant option around the world? Seems like the diesel car engine has been figured out, but they dont sell them here? Market, market, market. We want our diesel trucks, but we dont really want a diesel in our chevy cruise or ford focus.

[SKSailboatshop]

it would be pretty pricey too. A Diesel in a new pickup is what an extra 15 grand?