Click for Westport Click for Abeking Click for Furuno Click for Westport Click for Abeking

propane power?

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by Brian, Apr 23, 2007.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. Brian, Apr 23, 2007
    #1
    Brian

    Brian Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2005
    Messages:
    378
    Location:
    Halfmoon Bay, B.C. Canada
    With many propane conversions being offered for all types of cars and trucks, why has propane not spread into the marine industry?
    It burns clean. It's relatively cheap.
    Does it not offer the low end power that diesel offers?
    Any thoughts?
  2. RVN-BR, Apr 24, 2007
    #2
    RVN-BR

    RVN-BR Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2007
    Messages:
    256
    Location:
    South Florida & Mediterranean
    Not sure but can Diesel motors be converted?

    Perhaps it just isnt convenient to get propane-able engines on the horsepowers that we use? Have a search around for propane conversions in other gasoline-marine engines, mauybe it exists? Perhaps have a talk with some engine shops maybe they have done something similar?

    Another thing I can picture is the non-availability of propane in Marinas? (as I understand it it isnt as simple as bringing a truck close to the boat to refuel)... another cause for concern could be due to safety, although I'm not sure if the impact is any more or less than in automobiles...
  3. Brian, Apr 24, 2007
    #3
    Brian

    Brian Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2005
    Messages:
    378
    Location:
    Halfmoon Bay, B.C. Canada
    RoyN, I guess I meant more propane powered marine engines rather than conversions, sorry.
    I'm not planning this for myself, just wondering. Yet any search for propane fuelled engines and it is exclusively land based. I'm sure when introducing any new fuel, there will be problems with setting up a network of fuelling stations. Would offering propane at a marina just involve a land based tank with hoses down to the dock?
    It's just that when mentioning hydrogen power (which has several good points) there seems to be a big concern over safety issues of explosions.
  4. dogsharks, Apr 27, 2007
    #4
    dogsharks

    dogsharks Guest

    The only people we see in central Tennessee using propane, is the gas department meter readers. They're driving pickup trucks with a tank in the bed.

    As for marine, I suppose the weight difference between propane and gasoline wouldn't really be that much of an issue, but the total energy stored in a given volume may be. Somehow I think a full tank of gasoline has more explosive power (energy to be applied to propulsion) than an equal volume of propane.

    That may not be a problem with day cruisers or runabouts, but on long distance cruising it may be. In addition, if you're out on your third venture on a single fill-up and you run low on fuel, it would be tough because you couldn't run into your next marina and get a fillup (not now anyway, maybe later).

    If the ethanol problems and aluminum gas tank corrosion problems, carb issues, etc., get too bad, we may well see people running boats with propane.

    Interesting thought,

    regards, Dogsharks
  5. Brian, Apr 27, 2007
    #5
    Brian

    Brian Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2005
    Messages:
    378
    Location:
    Halfmoon Bay, B.C. Canada
    Up here a portion of the Vancouver (BC) transit fleet are running propane fuel. These would otherwise be diesel powered which would prove (although I have't spoken to any drivers) that there is sufficient power from propane. I can understand the tankage capacities in boats is limited. As to the fuelling stations, the fuel docks are going to have to think about offerring optional fuel soon. As with the beginning of the gasoline and diesel powered boats, the fuel docks were few and far between. I'm sure it will be just a matter of time before the network spreads enough for extended cruising.
    I have also heard through some grapevines that someone (who I cannot divulge) is contemplating running turbine engines with propane for a fast ferry proposal.
    Food for thought