Any clues on the viability of LPG to new engines?

[BarryD]

Hi,

I'm looking at a new petrol boat (interior space) wins over engine considerations - the engines are brand new (well about 5 hours) Mercruiser v8 5.0l with the warranty clock not started.

Installing LPG will presumably invalidate part of the fuel system warranty and prehaps make claims for other parts of the engines harder to make. I could wait two years for the warranty to expire but break even point is around 150 hours or one and half normal seasons.

Any recomendations from this august body? Keep the engines standard until the warranty ends, just do it etc.. Apart from buy a diesel of course.

Thanks in advance,

Barry

 

[neale]

Barry

Call Tim Hart from Barrus (01869 363636). I spoke with him at the London show for my feature on LPG and he was quite positive about the future of LPG. By now I would guess he has some results of the Mercruiser stripdown and he will give you an honest opinion.

Neale

 

[Trevor_swfyc]

While it may be viable, what about the cost benefit analysis. Availability, will this be a problem. Range, how much gas will you have to store to get the range you require. Insurance, how much extra will you have to pay in insurance.
Just some points to consider.
Trevor

 

[ccscott49]

Go on the motor boat forum, there's a lot of knowledgeable people about LPG over there

 

[neale]

In answer to Trevors very valid points:

Cost: On a V8 engine, Payback should be at around 100 hours

Range, Depends on available space. On my 25 Footer I can add 200 ltrs without too much problem. As the boat holds 205 ltrs of petrol this doubles my range in total and more or less equals my existing range on just petrol.

Availability, South coast no problem. Lower east coast similar to petrol

Insurance: The two companies I spoke to (Nav & Gen, St Margarets) advised no change to policy or premium.


Neale

 

[ChrisP]

Barry

Don't know if Pauline hass told you , but we saw a 30 foot Maxim in Ancasters in Brighton on Sunday. Seems to have a similar performance and accomadation as the one you were looking at. Twin diesels 1999 boat with some toys added.

 

[KevB]

Been there, seen it, done it.

Barry,

As you know I had my previous boat with twin 5ltr petrol engines converted to LPG. Yes LPG is a clean and makes the engines run very smoothly but that's where the benefits over petrol and diesel stop.

I had 220ltrs of LPG capacity which gave me around 3 hours running time, not very much. It gets very boring having to refuel every time you make a trip.

The cost of LPG may initially look attractive but when you consider firstly the 5k installation cost then the fact that LPG is at least 20% less efficient than petrol and then petrol is at least 20% less efficient then diesel, it shows a huge difference (at least 40%) between the distance travelled per litre of LPG against diesel.

Unfortunately LPG is no where near a substitute for diesel and when weighing up the installation costs along with the reduced efficiency compared with diesel/petrol it is hard to justify having the conversion.

All the above is why I now own a diesel boat.

Diesel rules I'm afraid.

 

[BarryD]

Thanks for all the responses. NM

<G>

Thoughts to keep you awake - Is the depth alarm on 1.4 or 1.2....

 

[Iwema_LPG]

Hi all,

For marine LPG conversions look at www.iwemalpg.com.

We are able to supply the highest quality LPG systems for marine use.
These systems will give you virtual no power loss.

If you intend to convert a new boat/engine, contact us before you buy one, so we can advise you in the type of engine you might have installed.
By contacting us we are often able to keep the manufacturers warranty on the engine or we take over the warranty.


By asking our advise you are able to buy the most suitable boat and engine to run on LPG.
Some boats/engines are more difficult and there for more expensive to convert.


Regards,

Hugo