Stuart Turner Engines

Someone once asked, Is there actually a Mr. Stuart Turner?
Well if there is there's a hell a lot of people looking for him.......

All sailing school boats should be equipped with these engines.

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Someone once asked, Is there actually a Mr. Stuart Turner?
Well if there is there's a hell a lot of people looking for him.......

All sailing school boats should be equipped with these engines.


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My first boat had a Stuart Turner P55ME twin cylinder engine. After it seized when I first launched it (the thermostat was stuck closed) I had it rebored with new pistons. Unfortunately even though I tried to run it in very gently, it seemed to seize once it got hot. I could only use the engine for short spells but it significantly improved my boathandling under sail!

After many years like this I decided to take the engine apart again. When I took the block to a (different) engineering firm to look at they tut tutted and said it had been rebored too tight. Once they had skimmed it out again and I fitted more pistons it went without any problems.

As others have said, it was a super smooth and quiet engine. My main worry was petrol vapour from the carburettor.

The separate cooling system was wonderful – just run the engine and hold a bucket over the exit in the hull and I got lots of lovely hot (but salty) water.

My engine must have been a very late version as it was fitted to a 1968 boat. It had a twin coil ignition system with two sets of points. These points weren’t the easiest things to get to. It involved working through a small hole in the side of the starboard quarterberth at arms length. I couldn’t see what I was adjusting and measure it at the same time so it was a bit hit and miss. Whether the coil system was the reason or not, I never had any problems starting the engine, even before the second rebore. Even in winter when the boat was laid up and the engine was dripping in condensation, I could attach the battery and fire her up within a second or so.


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Chippie, there is also a bar in Hindeloopen with old Seagulls strung up in the ceiling with the usual nets and fishing floats. Bit of a shock at first but the overall effect is quite good after a few genevers, and at least these seagulls only drop the occasional spot of oil on you.

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ive been thinking about my old stuart turner, it realy did sound great it was the piston water pump. if i buy this canal boat ill fit it next year in place of the couche petrol but my johonson 6 will be standing by! Well whats wrong with the canals? the medsFULL and my children want to stay aboard this year ----without me-----

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I believe he was actually a Miss Turner's love child.
Hence the oft heard phrase "Start, you b**st*rd !"

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