Dolphin engines (again!)

wetandwindy

wetandwindy

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Hi
I am in the process of buying an old Macwester 22 which has a Series 7 Dolphin engine (12hp)fitted. I've seen the thread that ran a while ago about the Dolphins and was hoping that someone might be able to give me some specific pointers as to what to look out for and potential problems regarding the engine itself (not the fact that it is reversing), prior to me handing over my hard earned.
 
I have no worries about the fundamental design or operation of the engine; I come from a good old traditional belt and braces engineering background myself! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I was really looking for the practical, experiential views of learned list members as to any common problems to look out for before I hand over my money!

I don't mind a run down to Bodmin, but I'd much rather spend the time on the water>
 
Still not what you asked for, however,,,,,,,, I just replaced a small diesel on my Vertue, with another diesel. I would certainly have had a Dolfin but for one (to me) huge problem... most waterside fuel pumps don't supply petrol, just diesel. So a fill up means a walk to the nearest filling station. With my old legs not a good idea!
You should, given current unfair predudice against petrol engines, be able to talk down the asking price,,,,, (suck teeth, shake head) "Well I'll have to put a diesel in, that'll cost a couple of thou,,,,,,," That sort of thing. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

IanW
 
I was wondering about dolfins in another post,in the meen time the folkboats ive found have had either deisel or outboards!! Befor i asken several had a dolfin in!
When i had a EAsloop it has an 8hp Stuart Turner, i still have the gasket kit and spares for it! the engin as well which i changed for a deisel!
What i find odd is that it was well cared for engin but still it would stop for what seemed to be no reason at all, and of course when going in or out of a habour which is when its most used.
Oddly when heading for Cherbourg having torn my main (was old) i was useing cotten sails to be traditional!!!The ST just kept running perhaps petrol engins feel threatened???and was to afraid to stop?
Since then ive been sailing a hillyard(with a large deisel) but have a large rigid tender which i either row or almost always move with a very old Johnsen6hp
out board, its been used almost daily from march to october and in winter it just gets fresh water and put away for at least 12years in use and built in the 70s it starts first time and as long as theres fule it goes and really well
Why then cant inboard stuart turners do the same? and why did dolphins also get a name for for not going when they are needed??
If i find a folkboat with a dolfine i would buy it and hope the engine would be as good as an outboard.
 
I re-engined my eventide with one ran very smoothly. Installing was easy as you could pick it up and move it around in the cabin. Never packed up however petrol storage was a bit of a pain.
 
Had one in an Elizabethan 30 for 10 years. Engine never gave any trouble although you have to anticipate a little before restarting in reverse-there is a slight delay whilst engine stops before refire astern. This is what big ships do anyway.
But charging was another matter. Until I bought an alternator kit from the Factory the dynastart did not give out enough juice to keep the batteries charged and I had to be so careful with night sailing not to run the batteries down so the engine would not restart. It is just possible to hand start them with a cord, but very chancy and in my case was a very inaccessible task. Once the alternator was fitted-no problem.
Used to lift out the engine each winter so had a very tidy engine compartment. Originally with a dry exhaust, I fitted a wet one from factory kit and engine was then very much quieter.
Good pulling power-I once towed a Halbardier from Looe to Plymouth when there was no wind and he had run out of fuel! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
I have had various 2T petrol engined boats - although never a Dolphin, which I always understood to be the pick of the bunch, closely followed by the Vire 7/12.

The main problem with all these engines is that they are 2 strokes. Curiously although the simplest engine with only five moving parts, they are also the least reliable. They are totally dependent on having good compression - not only in the combustion chamber, but in the crankcase. If the crank seals are not 100%, then the engine will play up, usually very difficult or impossible to start, but also liable to stalling, overheating and general discontent!

The Stuarts were in a clas of their own for unrelianility! Some were 100% and would start first go, and run for ever. Others would play up even from new. A yard foreman I know who installed many in the 60s told me that in every batch of new from the factory there would be one or two that just would not work. These would be returned to the works, stripped, and checked, and often there would be no apparent reason for it not running. It just didnt! Seagull ouboards could be the same. I have an ancient featherweight the lives in the garage. It starts first pull every time. It replaced a brand new ex works one in 1978 which ran once only, then never ran again. Even when it was returned to the works, and checked out, rebuilt etc, it still would not go!

So, as afr as the Dolphin is concerned, they have a very good reputation amongst petrol engiune afficianodos. BUT they are 2 strokes, which means that if the seals become damaged or worn they will become a problem. Although it involves a complete strip down, this is a straightforward job, usually well within the scope of the home mechanic.

But as has already been mentioned, the problem with petrol is that you can not get it waterside easily. Where it is for sale, it is at extortianate prices that are nothing short of exploitation.

Imagine the uproar if the local garage were charging #1.10 a litre!!!!!!
 
Thanks for everyone's messages and pointers. I have bought the boat ("Carise of Cardiff") and will give you feedback as to what my Dolphin engine is like! The launch is 28th Feb. Drinks in CBYC after!
 
Hi Wetandwindy,

I realise you've 'closed' the post and bought the boat, but I thought I'd give you my Dolphin thoughts FWTW, I've used them for a while now, Sorry if you know all this anyway!

You mention its a series 7, I believe Dolphin made 2 units, the series 1 and the series 2. As you made a mention of the 'reversing' issue I guess you're a series 1! Correct me if I'm wrong

I totally agree with all the issues raised regarding fuel availability, and I believe happiness is mixing the fuel! ;-)

If you do have a series 1, try to makes sure the electrical panel and remote control box kept as dry as possible (when I had a series 1, I made a GRP box for them with a perspex inspection window, seemed to do the trick)

Otherwise maintainance is pretty simple! I like the "repair it when it won't work" approach very much, however a clean and re-gap of the plugs and lubrication of the contact breaker (get to it by removing the contact breaker cover in front of the dynamotor cover) from time to time is a very reasonable maintenance programme for the series 1! Also keep a close eye on the water pump drive belt, keep adjusted up and make sure you don't let the water pump grease cup run dry, and give it a turn every now and then (Dolphin recommend a quarter of a turn every time you use the engine!)

There are also more contact breakers in the regulator box but they never caused me any problems on my series 1.

Just realised how much I've waffled on, and I haven't really told you anything you can't find out from the manual! Their manuals are very helpful if you have got, or can get one. Have you had any experience of the "flick a switch to go astern" experience yet? OH JOY!

All the best for the big launch!

Chris
 
Thanks for that! There's a full set of manuals onboard. The thought of reversing the engine to go astern does not worry me in the least. I've done it hundreds of times with ships, so don't see why it should be a problem on a 4 ton boat! (Watch S4C/HTV news and the front page of the Echo to see if I'm proved wrong and manage to sink half of the boats in the Bay!!! LOL).

The engine looks and sounds pretty healthy (have spoken with Dolphin directly & found the chap most helpful), although it's capacity in the water is untried (Mmmmmm). I have a rather large hammer on hand together with a substantial anchor and heavy chain, which I find can usually fix/stop most things!!

Regards
 
I have now used the Dolphin for 2 1/2 months with no problem whatsoever, once I had obtained a court order evicting the fully developed socio-economic community from the fuel system!! Runs like a dream and is soooooo economical!!
 
Thats really good! when youve used it a bit longer could you post the fule consumption,or how many gallons !!! it uses an hour? or part of a gallon per hour!?
Ive found a boat as a "project" which has a petrol engin in--

Ive always driven petrol engine powerd cars and find them far more reliable
than diesels probably becouse there far easier and less expensive to maintain.

Also my old stuart turner sounded wonderful, and was really smooth and quite.I dont see why i wont use another petrol engin? I never did note the fule consuption as the 5 gallon tank so rarely needed filling!
 
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