Planning an electric motor install in a launch.

burgundyben said:
I've bought a 16ft Fairey Faun* launch and I'm planning an electric install.
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I've only just seen this thread. Intriguing project, looking forward to reading more about it as it will develop.
I'm afraid I don't have any clever suggestion to throw in, and all my contribution is in wishing you all the very best.
There is a question I must ask though, hoping you don't mind my curiosity: why?
I mean, for the type of boat and usage you mention, you could fit the smaller diesel engine you can find, and cruise forever sipping just drops of fuel....
 
MapisM said:
I've only just seen this thread. Intriguing project, looking forward to reading more about it as it will develop.
I'm afraid I don't have any clever suggestion to throw in, and all my contribution is in wishing you all the very best.
There is a question I must ask though, hoping you don't mind my curiosity: why?
I mean, for the type of boat and usage you mention, you could fit the smaller diesel engine you can find, and cruise forever sipping just drops of fuel....
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Knowing you are a bit of a petrol head I took your logic a little further and suggested fitting a sweet little OHV gasoline engine of the same era.

And that came from somebody who has always subscribed to the 'gasoline is for girls' argument!
 
Good point LS, but actually I'm more of a petrolhead when it comes to speedboats.
In a 4 kts launch, if I should think of an alternative to a diesel engine, it's rather steam that pops to my mind....
....as in this video that I previously posted, taken at the amazing Wooden Boat Festival in Tasmania - just in case you missed it before.
Btw, at the beginning, there are a few other vintage engines that with your immense experience you might have already seen! :)
 
On the subject of steam: this is one of my favourite boats, very simple and earns its living:

 
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Thank you everyone for your input.

This happened because I saw one for sale earlier in the year and liked it, I missed that one, so bought another. The one I missed has a Vedette, I felt it looked like a nice combination with the added attraction that I know the Austin A series engine inside out as I keep Morris Minors.

Subsequently, it was brought to my attention that the Vedette might be too heavy, this made me consider electric. The added attraction of electric is silence.

I understand there are some later Vedette's with the 948 OHV and a BW 71C box, that would make a nice combo.

I discounted small diesels, donk donk donk doesn't appeal, although oddly a Harley Davidson V twin does appeal.

I fancy something interesting, perhaps a sterling cycle engine?

A steam engine is a possibility, but I'm put off by the waiting around for it to be ready.

I have a lot of woodwork to do on the boat itself first, so plenty of time to come to a decision. I am wavering away form electric and the moment.
 
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burgundyben said:
I discounted small diesels, donk donk donk doesn't appeal
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LOL, in the 70s an Italian singer composed a song where he argued that diesel is "the rythm of the life", and I think he had a point.
Reminds me of a previous trip down under, where I had the opportunity to try a small boat powered by a tiny, bullet proof, manual starter, single cylinder diesel engine.
No need for a rev counter, you could set the rpm by ear and looking at your watch.... :D
You can hear it at exactly 1:00 in this other video. She definitely was a perfect "donk donk donk" example, but still good fun!
 
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