Welcome! Need support, you got it. Or share you ideas and experiences.
Happy Xmas and New Year.
Does anybody know if it is possible to convert a motorcycle engine to marine use? Has it been done? Is anybody working on it at the moment?
Follow Ups:
Gosh, just about every type of engine has been used to power boats... The early eighties through the early ninties saw the Mazda version of the Wankel Rotary Engine marinized to produce 175 hp weighing in at 330 lbs. Some larger versions produced 400+ hp for ocean cigarette style racing boats... These days we are seeing the Orbital Engine Technology, developed in Australia, being used to give emission relief, more power with less weight, on 2-cycle outboard marine engines.The above 'foto' is of a 2-cylinder horizontally opposed, four-stroke inboard with an overall height of 17.5", weighing in at 290 lbs., 142 cid. 4250 rpm produces 84 hp--and from 700 rpm through 4250 rpm--it produces 130+ foot pounds of stump pulling torque. It's called the "Montana Troller". This might be the closest thing to a motorcycle engine, maybe an older BMW, but water cooled...
This marine inboard low end torque puller was developed by Bruce Hanson, somewhere in Montana,USA and shown at the Chicago IMTEC (Marine Trades Exhibit & Conference) Show in 1998. Haven't heard a word since...
Thank you for another detailed reply Thom.
Things have moved on a little because my wife took me to Somerset and forced me to buy a tattyish 1976 GRP, bilge keeled Leisure 17'. I tried to resist but was overpowered ; )
It is Bermudan sloop rigged with an alloy mast stepped in a plastic sort of shoe on the cabin roof. This is supported beneath the roof by a vertical wooden post from floor to ceiling.
Can I convert all this to an unstayed Junk rig? Where do I start? What should the mast height be? Will its position change and how do I calculate the square area of sail?
Thanks for your help.
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