the end of outboards, as we know them

T

tonyg

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Well that was the general idea, and they're much cheaper too. So, this fine frosty morning with an enthusiastic boisterous sea, it was put into practice. Went to local harbour, collected Harbour Master as witness and we put inflatable down slip and into water. Then out came the secret weapon. You know those petrol leaf-blowers ? Well this was it, borrowed from local hire store, guaranteed powerful enough to strip tarmac from motorway, the engine was started, throttle squeezed to bellowing roar stage, nozzle lowered into water, Harbour Master and black dog disappeared in such a maelstrom of foam as would make any tsunami proud, and the inflatable swiftly gathered speed until it reached an incredible half knot,- and that was with the wind.
" My wife said it wouldn't work" I told the HM, still dripping. "Ah, what do women know." He said.
 
Delightful story.

I've now tied both my hands behind my back since I don't want to risk the wrath of the PC brigade but if anyone wants to PM me I'd be delighted to send them several charming quips which draw their inspiration from Gaffcut's Loc.
 
I have had some success with a 48 inch chainsaw mounted on the stern.You need to be carefull manouvering alongside and near swimmers. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
You tosser, its no good blowing AIR into water - submerge the whole unit & it will become a jet boat - your tender will plane!
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Might need a bit of modification to waterproof the engine tho' you might want to try a can of WD40 perhaps.
 
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ROFLMAO..... brilliant! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

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what the [--word removed--] does ROFLMAO mean /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I'm on the floor - Brilliant!
 
Tried the same with my tender on the lake. Got very, very wet and like you moved slightly, but that may have been the wind. Any way. No leaves down there now.
 
Have you not seen those water taxis in Bangkok or wherever that use something that looks very like a petrol strimmer as an extraordinary long shaft o/b. They were in Bond movie IIRC.
 
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Have you not seen those water taxis in Bangkok or wherever that use something that looks very like a petrol strimmer as an extraordinary long shaft o/b. They were in Bond movie IIRC.

[/ QUOTE ]Seen them! I've had a ride in one. They don't have a salt water pump for the sea water cooling. They arrange a long pipe with a funnel facing forward just behind the prop so some water is forced into it by the action of the propellor.

Most of the engines seemed to be old car engines. I saw diesel and petrol engines being used. This was in Phuket by the way - not Bankok, and yes I was there working not on holiday...
 
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Have you not seen those water taxis in Bangkok or wherever that use something that looks very like a petrol strimmer as an extraordinary long shaft o/b. They were in Bond movie IIRC.

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Err, no not strimmers, they are usually V8 big block american car engines, (like 4-6K ccs) with the prop shaft atached directly to the crankshaft output shaft. It's all about balancing the weight and maximising shaft BHP. They are serious heavy metal!
 
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