Lehr propane outboards

[David W]

I saw a 2.5 hp version of these in a chandlery, very cool idea. Runs off camping size cylinders or off a larger bottle. Looking for direct experience from anyone.

Cheers,
David

 

[RAD]

Saw one last week on a club members dink.......he loves it and its a perfect solution to the ethanol problem and small engines

 

[anchorclanker]

Propane has approx 95K BTU energy per gallon, gasoline approx 135K BTU per gallon. Seeing those cylinders are about a quart, and they are like $3 each, it would be quite expensive to run it much and your range would be greatly reduced.

Propane is a bit cleaner though and as long as its a 4 cycle engine its probably somewhat of a wash. But seems more like a fad or some feelly good green thing more than something truly practical, to me anyway.

If I were really only interested in getting out of the marina and back to port, a large trolling motor would make far greater sense. I dont know if minnkota stills makes them but they used to make a 3 HP electric trolling motor. If one isnt enough, mount two. There are also marine electric propulsion drives for mini subs and the like that could be adapted to fit virtually any boat.

 

[Ross]

There are two major benefits with propane. It doesn't get stale and carbon monoxide emmisions are very low.

 

[anchorclanker]

A diesel outboard would be even better, but we cant have any of those. A 4 - 6 HP twin cylinder diesel outboard would be quite interesting.

 

[RAD]

The use of this type of outboard on a dink makes a lot of sense and so does an electric motor but for an average size sail boat it wouldn't be strong enough but I'm sure someone is going to come out with a 9.9 propane motor soon enough

 

[David W]

The use of this type of outboard on a dink makes a lot of sense and so does an electric motor but for an average size sail boat it wouldn't be strong enough but I'm sure someone is going to come out with a 9.9 propane motor soon enough

Lehr does make a 5 hp version as well.
The appeal for me is not having to have gasoline onboard. Put a 10 lb tank in the bow of our hard shell tender to help fore and aft balance, run the hose in a protected tube along the bottom to the transom and away we go.

Very intriguing.

 

[bobtigar]

The run time on the small tanks is about 45 min. If you run it full throddle its about 30 min.

 

[KD3PC]

Lehr does make a 5 hp version as well.
The appeal for me is not having to have gasoline onboard. Put a 10 lb tank in the bow of our hard shell tender to help fore and aft balance, run the hose in a protected tube along the bottom to the transom and away we go.

Very intriguing.

worried about gasoline aboard and you are comfortable with a 10lb pressure tank rolling around the bow, with a collection point tubing for heavier than air gases in the bilge...??

What happens when the bow bounces...your tank properly attached to something that is going to be able to handle the $20-25 pounds of metal?

There is a reason these tanks are prohibited from tunnels, and become rockets in the event of accident...

 

[David W]

worried about gasoline aboard and you are comfortable with a 10lb pressure tank rolling around the bow, with a collection point tubing for heavier than air gases in the bilge...??

What happens when the bow bounces...your tank properly attached to something that is going to be able to handle the $20-25 pounds of metal?

There is a reason these tanks are prohibited from tunnels, and become rockets in the event of accident...

Fair points. I'll stick with my oars.

 

[David W]

The run time on the small tanks is about 45 min. If you run it full throddle its about 30 min.

Where did you find this information?

 

[tommays]

They have been doing it from 2009 when Sears was selling there weed wacker

Sears no longer sells the wonderfull propane yard tools due to well hard starting

 

[bobtigar]

Where did you find this information?

got it from their rep. Also, same data is published in their promotional materials. Bob