Vire 7 petrol Inboard

[wishbone]

Anyone got any likes dislikes on the Vire 7 Inboard petrol engine, should I change it for a small diesel ? Have looked at the various Vire web sites, Is it me or is it that I don’t Like petrol on board!

Wishbone
Wot do I know I’m only yer common Cockney!

 

[tr7v8]

Personally it's you. Lots of UK petrol boats are still around, virtually everything below 30ish ft in the US is Petrol.
So what's the problem?

Jim
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[stevebirch2002]

I think your best bet is to get a small diesel. The answer that virtually everything under 30ft in the USA is petrol is utter rubbish. Very few petrol engines now in use in the Uk in sailingboats (not counting outboards!). The Vire was a good engine in its day but better, safer and certainly more reliablle diesel engines are available. Bite the bullet and install a small diesel.


Albin Vega "Southern Comfort" V1703

 

[tr7v8]

Steve,
>The answer that virtually everything under 30ft in the USA is petrol is utter >rubbish.
Ummm, having looked around the market you'll find very few US boats that are diesel, I'll admit this is from a power point of view rather than sail since that's the market I know but it's true, so on what do you base that comment? Especially since you state my opinion is utter rubbish, look at the power boats being imported to the Uk, not many diesels apart from the ones that are UK converted.
He was saying " Is it me that I don't like petrol on board" I responded that it was MY opinion that his fear is irrational. And if he's looking to change a petrol engine out based on purely this issue then in my opinion he's wrong.
Diesel safer, ummm interesting comment, most boat explosions are gas or electrical so what difference will there be? And once diesel is burning it's a pig to put out, he's also surrounded by a lot of infalmmable GRP.....
If you're saying a newer engine will be more reliable then I'd tend to agree although at this end of the market most of the small diesels are fairly oldish technology, so better could be questionable. And faced with a dead diesel a lot of people struggle to fix it if it is any thing complex whereas most people can get a dead petrol back to life.

Jim
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[stevebirch2002]

Hi Jim

I dont mean to rubbish your opinion. I speak from the sailboat side of things and I can assure you taht almost 90% of yachts with inboards have diesel, whether in teh USA or the UK. I have close links with Good Old Boat (US Sailing Mag) and all these yachts are nearer to thirty years old and thirty feet long. I admit taht power boats still do use petrol engines in the main especially if wanting the speed buzz but if economics of fuel, safety etc then I would expect diesel to be the choice. Again, this is only my opinion as I am a dedicated sail freak but I still like the comfort of knowing that the diesel will start wheter or not water has dripped onto it or damp is about. Sorry if I caused offence, not inteneded. I still stand by my opinion that most saili yachts with inboards are diesel the world over.

Albin Vega "Southern Comfort" V1703

 

[Guest]

steve,
reddiesel 20p alitre.
petrol 75p alitre and rising.
need i say more



good luck chris

 

[yoda]

Despite the 'safer with diesel and thats what most boats have' brigade, there are a number of us out here who continue to run with petrol engines in yachts. Yes we are a minority but I am about 100 kg lighter for being petrol driven and no it doesn't drink petrol like a centurion tank. I had a full season sailing on 15 gallons which whenyou are 4 miles from the sea is not too bad. My little Dolphin takes a fraction of the space of a comparable diesel. makes less noise and is simple to fix. Yes you do need to be careful but the I often wonder howmany diesel engined boats have a plastic can of petrol in a locker for the dinghy outboard. These are just as likely to cause a problem as a well set up petrol inboard. Having both gas and diesel may make you worry but with a sensible approach and some basic routines you can go on quite happily. As for the Vire it's self I have no idea but if you want a new engine I have a nice little Dolphin sitting in my shed ............... I've nearly finished fitting my new more powerful one now!

Yoda

 

[tr7v8]

Err, don't know where you're seeing those prices pontoon at Gillingham is 90ishp per litre for petrol.
In a raggie context I'd think the overall bill becomes trivial compared to 1 diesel filter per year and the extra cost of bits compared to the petrol. The capital cost of a small diesel needs to be taken into account which could be substantial.
But fundamentally if the Vire runs OK why change it? Which is the question that was originally asked!!!!
As regards the overall issue, Fairways Marine will sell you a shiney new Vire 7 or 12Hp so it can't be that out of date. I think Dolphins are still sold, so their must be a market, which is?

Jim
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[Guest]

err i thihk the question was "anybody got any likes or dislikes about vire petrol engines" he didnt say if it was a good runner or not, i just giving my opinion same as you shipmate,
regards chris

 

[wishbone]

Sorry my main concerns were having petrol onboard, I suppose being use to diesels on raggies, I have put an off on a leisure 22.

Wishbone
wot do I know! I’m just yer common Cockney

 

[mickshep]

My old wooden 5 tonner, (displacement 5 tons cos she's teak) is fitted with a 1938 model Stuart Turner 8 hp petrol engine, It's a little sewing machine of an engine, pushes the boat at up to 5 knts and gives me no trouble. converted to coils in the long distant past, Dyno-start also fitted, Wouldn't swap it for Diesel.
Mike

 

[martinb]

I have had a boat with a Vire 7 for a year now and when I purchased it I shared your concerns about petrol onboard and reliability. As pointed out by others, most boats have petrol on board for tenders and gas is probably a greater cause for concern.

As for reliability, the Vire has never failed to start and other than two impellor failures has been reliable. I have just removed the engine, as I felt it would be wise to rebuild it after 30 years service. The engine is in remarkably good condition, other than the impellor housing which would explain the impellor failures, and I will be reinstalling soon confident of several more seasons relliable service. Spares are not a problem and, as production of the engine has only just ceased, should be ok for a few years yet.

Martin

 

[martinb]

>steve,
>reddiesel 20p alitre.
>petrol 75p alitre and rising.
>need i say more

New engine = £3000
I would be surprised if I used my engine for more than 50 hours at 3l/hr last year, so 70p a litre saving on fuel would take 1,428 hrs = 28.6 years

Martin

 

[Guest]

hi wishbone,
my own personell expiriance off petrol v diesel is petrol on a small boat with all the bouncing about is your going to get a drop of the stuff in the bilges eventualy then when you go to use the boat after afew days dont forget to run the bilge pump for a couple of mins before making a brew[petrol fumes sink] o yes petrol engines make good anchors,
regards chris

 

[tr7v8]

Petrol boats must have a bilge blower, I think this is why Raggie owners tend to be a bit paranoid of petrol engines, as a stinkie would have one as standard. In the US it is compulsory and I suspect it's part of the RCD in the UK.

Jim
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[[448]]

wishbone,
I have a Macwester 22 with a Vire 6, which I think is basically similar to the 7. I thought long and hard about changing for a diesel, but the hassle (new engine beds,extra weight, probable new shaft and prop, new shaft log and bearing , fuel supply arrangements, noise, COST etc.) persuaded me that the trusty Vire had to stay Fuel consumption is about 2 to 3 pints per hour.
Cheers, Dave

 

[Guest]

dear martin,
good for you, i do most of my sailing in the bristol channel,big tides, strong currents,i used about 30 quids worth of diesel last summer,the petrol boys tell me they can use that amount in a week,
cheers chris

 

[Guest]

hi jim,
you are right about the blower,but i dont think its law in this country yet,

right i am going sailng now[hope not to use my diesel too much]
regards chris,