Outboard trawlers

Nomad Willy · Aug 8, 2015

Rustybarge,
Do mean as close as you can come to an OB trawler?

This one is light to very light. The first element of a trawler is weight.

psneeld · Aug 8, 2015

According to Marin...there are hundreds if not thousands of outboard trawlers trawling for shrimp at this very moment all over the Southeast US.

Blissboat · Aug 8, 2015

The Coot says, "If I don't smell diesel, I'm not on a trawler." Craig says, "4 bolt overhauls are the best thing about outboard motors."

Second both motions - which makes me hope we see diesel outboards in my lifetime.

Baker · Aug 8, 2015

CPseudonym said:
It's a bit of an old story so I could easily be misremembering details but apparently the yacht owner owned a yard in Texas and tore the running gear off in Florida. Pitched a fit about the quote, called his people to bring their tools and his outboards out from Texas and make it happen.

It definitely made it part way then I lost interest and stopped following the saga. This stunt was more about hubris then saving money.

ssobol, 4 bolt overhauls are the best thing about outboard motors IMO.

That totally sounds like something OJ Young would do...and if that is the real story, I'd bet good money that he is the guy! Next time I see him I will ask him!!!

BandB · Aug 8, 2015

Baker said:
That totally sounds like something OJ Young would do...and if that is the real story, I'd bet good money that he is the guy! Next time I see him I will ask him!!!

Snoop around Seabrook and see if you detect a 65' boat that looks like it had outboards mounted on it's platform...lol

CPseudonym · Aug 8, 2015

Baker I hope it is him because I'd love to know how that thing worked out. I'd honestly forgotten about it until B&B brought it up.

Steve · Aug 8, 2015

Blissboat said:
The Coot says, "If I don't smell diesel, I'm not on a trawler." Craig says, "4 bolt overhauls are the best thing about outboard motors."

Second both motions - which makes me hope we see diesel outboards in my lifetime.

They have been around for a while now Google "diesel outboard motor" for info.

Nomad Willy · Aug 8, 2015

Wouldn't want a diesel OB. Diesel engine noise is hard enough to isolate in an inboard boat and darn near a hopeless task on an OB. But perhaps technology will solve that.

Another big negative for diesel OBs is weight. Putting the engine "outboard" of the boat aft is very bad for weight distribution. Center of the boat is the best place for something that heavy. OBs do it but they are lighter than a diesel would be. But the weight of the engine may help keep the small prop in the water.

BandB · Aug 8, 2015

Steve said:
They have been around for a while now Google "diesel outboard motor" for info.

They've been around but they're not around...lol. Not that they don't exist, just they haven't gained any meaningful market share due to their shortcomings.

ranger58sb · Aug 8, 2015

I think if "outboard" is modified to mean "not inboard" -- as opposed to imply hanging dead off the stern somewhere -- the concept is workable.

Some kind of enclosure, maybe. Some kind of lifting mechanism so they can be trimmed up out of the water during periods of non-use. (Or maybe a reinvention that allows the gear leg to stay submerged all the time a la pods.) Stuff like that. (Somebody -- Tiara? Pursuit? - has enclosed a stern-mounted outboard.)

But the biggest challenge for me would be that it forces use of gasoline, not my preference. As others have said, outboard (or let's call 'em "bolt-on") diesels, maybe. With inventions that mitigate noise, etc etc etc.

-Chris

BandB · Aug 8, 2015

manyboats said:
Another big negative for diesel OBs is weight. Putting the engine "outboard" of the boat aft is very bad for weight distribution. Center of the boat is the best place for something that heavy. OBs do it but they are lighter than a diesel would be. But the weight of the engine may help keep the small prop in the water.

A 200 hp Oxe diesel right now is 650 - 700 lbs. vs. 500 lbs. for a Yamaha 200 hp.

Now, Klaxon has a 40 hp multi-fuel which is only 172 lbs. and actually lighter than a Yamaha 40 at 200 lbs, but their 40 hp diesel weighs 275 lbs.

Mercury actually developed an 175 hp Optimax Diesel for the military.

Weight is often the issue with diesel, even on inboards. We like jet Rib's. A Williams 445 Diesel weighs 1851 lbs vs. their comparable 445 Gas which weighs 957 lbs. The same hp gas is as a result significantly faster in that boat. In principle I would far prefer carrying a diesel version than a gas model, both for safety and convenience. However, the weight difference is huge on an under 15' tender.

THD · Aug 8, 2015

Maybe Chris(Sea Ranger) is on to something here. Sea chesst are a common feature on many boats. So, a big sea chest, totally enclosed, with hydraulic lifts, mounting a couple of OBs, air piped in, pretty much infinite trim possibilities. But then we are getting pretty close to an "outboard pod drive".

Nomad Willy · Aug 8, 2015

Yanmar made one and still may market it outside the U.S. I saw one at the Yanmar dist in Seattle about 10 years ago. It was about the size of a 90hp OB but only made 35 (or so) hp. I read about them being extremely noisy somewhere else. Now I recall that the price wash extreme sticker shock. But this was 10 or so years ago.

gaston · Aug 8, 2015

300HP Diesel outboard
Maritime Propulsion | New 300hp (224 kW) Diesel Outboard

Art · Aug 8, 2015

Soooo - In addition to the many pros and cons hashed over in this thread... for having OBs powering larger boats... this also begs the question of fuel usage comparison to either gasoline or diesel IB marine engines. Will OB's provide better mileage for same cruising performance?? What stats on this question are available - do tell!

Couple of notes I make:

1. Trim tabs would not be needed at all - Yippee!

2. However, really expensive experience if boater backs into a dock or other solid item with OBs at furthest rear. Would not take much for a 10 to 30 ton boat to fully crush the OBs instead of just banging up a repairable swim step.
2a. Speaking of swim steps... I like mine clear for swimming.
2b. Guess OBs could be built into a resessed transom area and have swim step still open for swiming as well as to protect the OBs if backing into a dock happens.
2c. But then the OBs begin to take up inner boat room... just like IBs. And with so much weight placed on stern instead of generally centered in boat's lowest bilge confines while acting as a sort of ballest.

OK - by writting this rambling post - I've decided to keep my twin screw IB straight drive Tolly just as is!

Whew... knew this would be the outcome before I even began writing! :facepalm:

:lol:

Jetstream · Aug 8, 2015

This was a 65 Viking that used outboards ( 2 Yamaha 250hp 2 strokes) to get it back to a rebuild facility after sinking. It also sank on the way back. Although impractical in many ways at the moment for heavy displacement boats I can see in the future someone designing an outboard for just such a purpose.

N4712 · Aug 8, 2015

Jetstream said:
This was a 65 Viking that used outboards ( 2 Yamaha 250hp 2 strokes) to get it back to a rebuild facility after sinking. It also sank on the way back. Although impractical in many ways at the moment for heavy displacement boats I can see in the future someone designing an outboard for just such a purpose.

Yep, it's here in Fort Lauderdale. Pretty goofy looking as one side yellow and the other blue.

Art · Aug 8, 2015

Jetstream said:
This was a 65 Viking that used outboards ( 2 Yamaha 250hp 2 strokes) to get it back to a rebuild facility after sinking. It also sank on the way back. Although impractical in many ways at the moment for heavy displacement boats I can see in the future someone designing an outboard for just such a purpose.

WOT = 5.5 knots.??? :lol:

siestakey · Aug 8, 2015

healhustler said:
Those are very interesting designs, including a 35 ft. sedan that even Eric would look good in. Thanks for posting the link.[/QUOTE

Your welcome!! I agree interesting and yes the sedan was interesting also

Ski in NC · Aug 8, 2015

Power a trawler with outboards? Heck yea, can be done. You can also power a fine road car with a couple of lawnmower engines.... Both will move under power.

markpierce · Aug 8, 2015

manyboats said:
...
Another big negative for diesel OBs is weight. Putting the engine "outboard" of the boat aft is very bad for weight distribution. Center of the boat is the best place for something that heavy. OBs do it but they are lighter than a diesel would be. But the weight of the engine may help keep the small prop in the water.

Midship placement of an outboard would have serious consequences on a boat's living accommodations.

Greatlaker221 · Aug 9, 2015

Check this article out

http://www.trawlersmidwest.com/pdf/eco-trawler_article.pdf

FF · Aug 9, 2015

"which makes me hope we see diesel outboards in my lifetime."

Far more likely that you will see an outboard that eats diesel , JP5 ., kerosene , but is spark ignited , not compression ignition.

It will weigh what a gas OB does , and can use denser less refined (tho very clean) fuel.

Same HP/ gal as todays diesel, esp if turboed .

Art · Aug 9, 2015

Greatlaker221 said:
Check this article out

http://www.trawlersmidwest.com/pdf/eco-trawler_article.pdf

IMHO

The “Eco Trawler” at 8’ beam with several other limitations on comfort/usability while on the water is just not my bag. Also, towing a 33’, 7000 lb. dry weight (probably closer to 10K lbs. fully loaded) boat around the country is likewise not my thang! Following quote from article [using a ½ ton truck as example] seems iffy at best… regarding ongoing towing reality: “Ken and Karen Schuler of Trawlers Midwest reported no problems after trailering the boat fully loaded with cruising gear from Wisconsin to Annapolis, Maryland, behind a Ford F-150.”

NMPG is not bad though. 2.8 knots at 7 nmpg is fairly inexpensive… but you may get old before arrival to anywhere… better not be fighting a current! – LOL Can’t help but to wonder the stats on next line; i.e. 1500 rpm, 4.1 knots, 0.4 gph (same as line above at a 50% less in rpm) – and now, on this line, the boat gets 10.2 nmpg – 30% better than the – 7.0 nmpg in line above???

There may be a class/age-group of people who would like to have this boat for use. I feel the market is limited.

RPM KNOTS GPH NMPG RANGE*
1000 2.8 0.4 7.0 392
1500 4.1 0.4 10.2 571
2000 5.6 0.8 7.0 392
2500 6.8 1.2 5.7 319
3000 7.7 1.9 4.1 230
3500 8.5 2.9 2.9 162
4000 9.3 3.8 2.4 134
4500 10.3 4.7 2.2 123
5000 12.3 5.7 2.2 123
5500 14.8 7.0 2.1 118
6000 15.7 9.2 1.7 95

LOA: 33’ 0”
BEAM: 8’ 0”
DRAFT: 1’ 9”
DISPL.: 7,000 lb.
FUEL: 70 gal.
WATER: 23 gal.
POWER: Evinrude E-Tec 50 hp outboard (x2)
PRICE $123,000 base, $230,000 as tested with twin engines, cruising interior, electronics.

CONCLUSION [quote from article]
"The Eco Trawler 33 is a synergy of unusual features with a unique and likable result. It is a strong coastal cruiser that is nicely suited to the Great Loop or the Bahamas.

While its length is greater, this neat little cruiser has about the same interior space as a conventional, beamy, planing 28-footer. However, when the weather kicks up or when you pull up to the fuel dock, you’ll see a big difference in its favor.

If you tire of the place you are cruising this month, load your Eco Trawler 33 onto the trailer and go somewhere else, even places only accessible by land."

ranger58sb · Aug 9, 2015

markpierce said:
Midship placement of an outboard would have serious consequences on a boat's living accommodations.

Sure... but imagine in a typical cockpit location, slightly ahead of the transom. but covered with cockpit sole, maybe a removable lazarette capsule, etc.

Wouldn't have to a the same form factor as a current "outboard -- could be a normal engine, in it's own suitably waterproofed housing, with submersible drive leg structurally attached.

-Chris

Ski in NC · Aug 9, 2015

Interesting. That Eco Trawler gets the exact same burn rate as my 38x12' 14000lb with 450 Cummins. 7.7kts at 1.9gph. Twice the weight, same burn. And at higher speed of 18kts it gets about same burn rate as the Eco does at 15.7. I've never run long enough at 15kts to get a burn rate.

There is something to diesel efficiency!!!

Note that the 50hp at full power is burning 4.6gph for 50hp, for a whopping 10.9hp/gph. Probably a bit better at mid range, but would need a dyno to measure that.

Not too "eco" at all. Unless you are ok with 5.5kts, which is really slow. Put some little Yanmars in there and you might have something "eco".

refugio · Aug 9, 2015

manyboats said:
Sea Dories? They are a flat bottomed skiff w a cabin tacked on. Great boats but they are what they are. Sea Dory even said "The Trailerable Trawler" in their adds. Rediculous.

C-Dories started as...dories. You can argue that a dory is a skiff with a cabin, but what's the point?

Anyway, while the first C-Dories did have flat bottoms, all boats since the late 80s have had a shallow V. And all C-Dories have had cabins, even the little 14s.

So they've been in production for more than 35 years. They started as wood and moved to all glass. While they are predominantly cruisers, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that more fish have been caught from C-Dories than any other manufacturer discussed on this site. Maybe more than ALL of them.

And I'm further willing to assert that more C-Dories have done the Great Loop than any other manufacturer. Part of that may be because they can be towed to the Loop, just like 10 to 20 of them get towed to Lake Powell every summer. And get towed across the country to cruise to Alaska. Or Mexico.

Are they trawlers? I'm not going down that rathole.

But with a long production run, traditional styling, economical cruising, wood then fiberglass - in spirit, they're closer to pocket Grand Banks than anything else. Oh, and they're even available with single or twins (I had twin 40hp Hondas on a CD22). And they have probably the strongest owners forum of any manufacturer, ever.

BandB · Mar 22, 2018

A 60' Outboard Trawler has just been introduced. It's from Midnight Express and named their Pied-A-Mer, meaning Seaside Holiday Home. It has two master suites. 15' beam. 36000 pounds. It comes standard with Quad Seven Marine 627 hp outboards and top speed of 60 knots. There are optional surface drives which should move it close to 80 knots.

Now, certainly this could be equipped with smaller engines for trawler fans.

While this is obviously in jest as to calling it a trawler, I also point to their 34' model which has a smaller cabin and an 11' beam. For all the work others have done to try to produce a mid 30's foot range outboard trawler, I can easily see doing the loop in the 34 or 60' models with smaller engines. Plus the 34' is moveable (trailer but 11'). These are proven hull designs.

Here's the 34.

I know it seems crazy on the surface to put a high performance center console here. However, this is a Miami builder and I'm sure could easily customize either boat with smaller engines. Seems to me that the 34 or their 37' Cabin Model or some other CC builder's larger model with cabins could be a very reasonable starting place.

I could easily see doing the loop in such a boat. You have the incredible open view and yet still good sleeping, eating, relaxing quarters below.

Shows again that the potential of what can be done with outboards is far greater than it was only a few years ago.

Art · Mar 22, 2018

BandB said:
Shows again that the potential of what can be done with outboards is far greater than it was only a few years ago.

Outboard Potential - from "only a few years ago"

Seeing as powerful outboards have been around for decades... I believe it's primarily due to marine architects' expanded window of thinking out o' da box! I applaud that!!

BandB · Mar 22, 2018

Also, Gulfstream just announced a 66'.

I still believe in the potential of outboards for trawler type cruising and think ultimately we'll see better execution of the concept than some of the versions so far.

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