Dolphin Engines opinion?

[jamie N]

As simple a question as it sounds. I've come across a site for Dolphin Engines, and would like any opinions about them as I may be in the market for one, for my Folkboat. The web site appeared to indicate that they're in business, but would I be correct in thinking that this is possibly an 'inboard Seagull installation'? If they're still making engines (I've not done any research of the company) do they compare in value with a 'contemporary' item ignoring any fuel consumption figures?

 

[JimC]

The only one I've encountered was installed in a Skanner 19. It's owner thought very highly of it (the engine that is, though he liked the boat too) and said it was incomparably better than the Stuart Turner inboard 2 strokes he'd known before. It was rather an eccentric design: it had no fwd/reverse gearbox, to obtain reverse the engine was stopped and re-started with the opposite direction of rotation: all done quickly and smoothly by means of a special starter motor arrangement, I think this was a SIBA Dynastart. The engine certainly drove the boat well and seemed very smooth-running and quiet.

 

[sailorman]

Light weight 12 hp 2 T engine ( not known for economy)
24v start 12 v charging ( or used to be)
high RPM with a small prop via direct drive so high shaft RPM too
Petrol so extra caution req

The only one I've encountered was installed in a Skanner 19. It's owner thought very highly of it (the engine that is, though he liked the boat too) and said it was incomporably better than the Stuart Turner inboard 2 strokes he'd known before. It was rather an eccentric design: it had no fwd/reverse gearbox, to otain reverse the engine was stopped and re-started with the opposite direction of rotation: all done quickly and smoothly by means of a special starter motor arrangement, I think this was a SIBA Dynastart. The engine certainly drove the boat well and seemed very smooth-running and quiet.

 

[yoda]

They are definitely still in business and focus on overhauled units I believe. The business was sold a few years back so it's not the original guys running it. The dolphin is a great unit but a small modern 2 cylinder diesel (not single cylinder) is probably a far better bet if you can possibly make it fit.

Yoda

 

[seadog30]

We replaced a Stuart Turner with a Dolphin 12hp. As it was only a third the weight it transformed the performance of the boat . My big problem with it was that it was so smooth and quiet we often forgot that it was still going !.

I don't understand the comment "not economical" as the fuel consumption was half the Stuart and also less than my 6hp outboard.

Dont be concerned about the "qirk" of goining on reverse by stopping the engine and restarting the engine in reverse, it takes to more time than dropping the revs and changing gear. The advantage is the direct drive Dolphin is so simple.

On the safety side petrol is a concern and a metal tank must be properly installed and the enginer bay vented, we put a small fan in to help with vent to the exterior of the hull and fitted a box of copper mesh arround the carburetor (like a miners safety lamp.

Excelent engine

Good luck

 

[fergie_mac66]

we had 2, great engines but a bit like marmite ! You must keep the switchgear dry and tidy . The back bearing had a cooling tube in the casting underneath, worth cleaning as salt collects in it and if you dont know to clean it (very easy) it can cause overheating . The newer ones have gearboxes.

Years ago some were tuned up as far as 85 hp ! for racing

 

[andrewbartlett]

I used to have one in my folkboat in the eighties. It was wonderful : quiet , powerful and totally (in my experience) reliable . Having to stop the engine for reverse was the only minor inconvenience. I was at first a little apprehensive of the petrol factor but after no problems whatsoever did not continue ro have any disquiet on that front. The Dolphin team at that time were always more than ready to answer any technical queries and seemed (with justification ) very proud of their product.

 

[VicS]

As simple a question as it sounds. I've come across a site for Dolphin Engines, and would like any opinions about them as I may be in the market for one, for my Folkboat. The web site appeared to indicate that they're in business, but would I be correct in thinking that this is possibly an 'inboard Seagull installation'? If they're still making engines (I've not done any research of the company) do they compare in value with a 'contemporary' item ignoring any fuel consumption figures?

No dont think of it as similar an inboard Seagull. Not even the most fanatical of Seagull fans would admit now to the brief existence of those.

I think you will find that later (1986 onwards) Dolphin engines are fitted with a reversing Hurth 2:1 gearbox. The Dynastart was replaced with a conventional starter and alternator and electronic ignition fitted.

http://www.dolphinengines.co.uk/history.php

 

[prv]

It was rather an eccentric design: it had no fwd/reverse gearbox, to obtain reverse the engine was stopped and re-started with the opposite direction of rotation

I believe they no longer use this system, and now have a conventional gearbox.

Pete

 

[jamie N]

Thanks for the replies. I tried to gain information from their own web site, but remain unanswered. Perhaps they're watching the Rugby and have yet to come out from behind the sofa.........

 

[Tranona]

If you are buying new then it would not be a good choice given what else is available on the market. They have their advantages - or did when the opposition was big, heavy and rattly. However, a modern 2 cylinder freshwater cooled Nanni or Beta is in a different league in terms of refinement, economy and life. Might be worth it if it is a cheap secondhand unit depending on what else you need to replace to fit it to your boat.

 

[black mercury]

I installed the 16 hp version 11 years ago, engine been totally reliable, and uses the same amount of fuel as the older diesel volvos of similar hp. Not sure if they will sell you a complete engine due to stupid EU laws on 2 strokes. Just remember to add oil every time you refuel and they don't like idling in gear for too long. don't worry about petrol, you'll smell it if there is a leak. Some people say to me, when i tell them that the engine is petrol, that its a danger and should change to diesel for safety. I just ask them if they have gas on board and walk away shaking my head.

 

[jwilson]

Silky smooth and quiet compared to (for example) a Yanmar IGM10 diesel. On a 12 hp engine fuel consumption is pretty low whether petrol or diesel. Care needed with petrol, but it was the standard fuel for many yacht engines for years - Nich 32s used to be fitted with petrol engines.

On the one I knew the stop-restart reverse worked beautifully, but as others have said later ones had an actual gearbox so you did not have the stop-restart

To use it seems a really nice engine, but if you come to sell the boat many buyers get very twitchy about a petrol engine.