Hot rod sailboat

jleblanc31

jleblanc31

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Feb 14, 2007
166
Ranger33 25 NewOrleans
So I have an opportunity to get a sailboat but it needs a motor. I was going to fit it with a Chevy v8 ( In the voice of Tim Allen) Aur Aur Aur ! My question is how often do you see Gas pumps at the dock vrs diesel. Around my area it s not hard to find gas at the dock. but how about up the East coast and the Bahamas.
 
justsomeguy

justsomeguy

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Feb 20, 2011
8,059
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
Dunno about the East coast, but there's plenty of gasoline in Mexico.
 

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markwbird

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Nov 26, 2012
1,654
C&C 40-2 Berkeley
I hope you know what you are doing

Sailboats have diesel engines for a reason. Gasoline is dangerous on a boat. There are some that have had gas engines. The engine compartments are well ventilated and include a vent fan that is activated before starting, etc. I do not know all the safety features that go into this but you should. Besides, what is the point of doing this? A sailboat will not be very fast even with the V-8. It seems like a lot of trouble with not much up side
 
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Crazy Dave Condon

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Jun 8, 2004
10,410
-na -NA Anywhere USA
The question asked says a sailboat but no mention which one or the size/model. The next question why would someone want to go fast when life is so fast to begin with. Life on a sailboat is slower and I would prefer a slower pace in the world which is now a rat race. Then on the construction, one would have to consider if the hull construction of any sailboat will be safe to put in a gas V8 engine. Then of course the smells and safety and so on. then the question why was this question even asked.

Buy a power boat if you want to go fast.
 
uncledom

uncledom

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Jun 11, 2011
1,243
Hunter 41 Lewes
The great thing about a diesel engine is that it can sit for very long periods of time unused and start right up like it was running yesterday. They are very efficient compared to an "infernal" combustion engine. The fuel is much more stable and much less combustible. I'm sure there are downsides but I can't think of any. My last boat had a three cylinder Volvo that you could decompress and start with a hand crank!
 
Ukeluthier

Ukeluthier

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Jan 7, 2015
77
Menger 19 Catboat Annapolis, MD
uncledom said:
The great thing about a diesel engine is that it can sit for very long periods of time unused and start right up like it was running yesterday. They are very efficient compared to an "infernal" combustion engine. The fuel is much more stable and much less combustible. I'm sure there are downsides but I can't think of any. My last boat had a three cylinder Volvo that you could decompress and start with a hand crank!
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While I agree with you about the benefits of a Diesel, I'll point out that a Diesel IS an internal combustion engine... just not quite as infernal as gasoline.
 
rpell1@msn.com

rpell1@msn.com

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Sep 25, 2008
464
Catalina 30 MKIII Varuna Boat Club
jleblanc31 said:
So I have an opportunity to get a sailboat but it needs a motor. I was going to fit it with a Chevy v8 ( In the voice of Tim Allen) Aur Aur Aur ! My question is how often do you see Gas pumps at the dock vrs diesel. Around my area it s not hard to find gas at the dock. but how about up the East coast and the Bahamas.
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If you consider that a 3 cyl. diesel (i.e.) uses about 1/2 gal. per hour, as opposed to a gasoline 8 cyl. that uses avg. 8-10 GALLONS PER HOUR, this should be one major consideration. I fill up two 6 gallon diesel jugs PER YEAR, at any of the local stations that carry diesel.

And, yes as the other guys intimated....more power (Aur Aur Aur) will not move you appreciably faster.

A fellow sailor at my Club just recently replaced his 4cyl. Atomic gas engine with a Universal 25xp and has been absolutely thrilled with the performance and cost savings......not to mention reliability.

Good Luck and Happy Sailing
 
Cest La Vie

Cest La Vie

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Jun 2, 2004
153
Beneteau 393 Lake Texoma, Texas
jleblanc31 said:
So I have an opportunity to get a sailboat but it needs a motor. I was going to fit it with a Chevy v8 ( In the voice of Tim Allen) Aur Aur Aur ! My question is how often do you see Gas pumps at the dock vrs diesel. Around my area it s not hard to find gas at the dock. but how about up the East coast and the Bahamas.
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Interesting responses so far, but a bit of a surprise, as I assumed this was an early April 1 post. This is serious?
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
after reading the OP's post i think the V8 part was in jest ...the real question is how often do you see gas versus diesel at the marinas
 
Daveinet

Daveinet

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Sep 20, 2014
1,328
Rob Legg RL24 Chain O'Lakes
I'd be worried about weight killing the sailing properties. A big v8 weighs 7 or 800 lbs. That much extra weight in the rear is going to sink the back of the boat, particularly if the rear of the hull is narrow, like most older boats. Even if the boat was designed to plane, adding the extra weight to the rear will just make it plow.
A second problem will be RPM. Diesels turn low RPMs and have a lot of grunt. A gas engine achieves HP from turning high RPMs. Being that it is tuned for high RPM, you will not have the power down were you need it. Even if the engine is big enough to turn the RPM, the prop will just cavitate.
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
Daveinet said:
....Being that it is tuned for high RPM, you will not have the power down were you need it. Even if the engine is big enough to turn the RPM, the prop will just cavitate.
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You overlooked the 4-speed transmission. Probably a "4-on-the-sole" shifter?
Better to use one of the older push-button-shifting MoPar units, they are easier to wired the cables.

Haven't you guys seen those boats with the engine on the stern, long drive shaft into the water, steered by a tiller?

Nay-sayers to the OP are not a surprise. I get the same feedback when people know I'm building wagon wheels.
 
MrBill_FLL

MrBill_FLL

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May 4, 2005
4,062
Macgregor 26d Ft Lauderdale, Fl
I ALWAYS see gas on a fuel dock.... never been to one that didn't have it. (and its mostly non-ethonol).

-most powerboats < 30' use gas, and if they don't have a trailer, it comes from a fuel dock. sometime you see premix but it rare today.

-but most of the posters are spot on. diesel would be better choice.

what's in there now? atomic ?

if I had to go gas, I'd look at 6cyl or even a 4.


tell us about this 'new' boat....

before I pulled the diesel, and installed a gas engine, I'd think about a kicker bracket and maybe a 20-25hp. (very very long shaft).
 
uncledom

uncledom

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Jun 11, 2011
1,243
Hunter 41 Lewes
woodster said:
after reading the OP's post i think the V8 part was in jest ...the real question is how often do you see gas versus diesel at the marinas
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I'm pretty sure that was the case also Woodster. But I also think when people take it as gas vs diesel the majority will vote diesel.
 
capta

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
4,913
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
I had a couple of big block Crusaders (Chevys) in a sportfish I owned and they got great gas mileage; about 3 gallons a mile! That's right, 3 gallons a MILE. The Quadrajet carb is not really designed for slow speed operation, though it was advertised as such.
One other point to consider is that a gas engine will not run without a good battery, whereas a diesel, once started can run without any outside electricity. All your accessories will need to be spark proof (alternator, starter motor, fans, relays, etc).
There is also the safety issue of having a significant amount of gas on board, but I'm sure you know that.
In many places, especially the Bahamas, dockside gas is a great deal more expensive than diesel. Whatever you think you are saving up front, you'll pay for on the back side
 
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