Rebuild the Lehmans and 20 years from now you will still be happy.
I've actually just overhauled both engines, heat exchanges and exhaust pod. But before I could get it all installed, my mechanic quit and moved away. I have very young children and a full time job. I love my boat but foresee using it a maximum of a couple of hours a month for the next few years. Hence the outboard plan.
Try Brian Smith at American Diesel Corp. They are the effective successors to Lehman, have lots of parts, and likely know how to source those they don`t have. Email Briansmithadc@aol.comWould be good if anyone would know where to find 2 sets of gauges and sensors for the engine.
Thats a very good point and about 19 years and 9 months better than any Mercury
I'm in the market for a new ob, and I was looking at the Mercury range. They also sell remanufactured engines, and you can buy just the redone engine block and fit it to your old ob without having to purchase a new replacement .
I found the idea of exchange power heads and cheap spares an attractive idea.
Are Mercury ob's a disaster?
Like most businesses, Mercury survives on the quality reputation of their product and they have been in the OB business longer than I can remember. I have seen a lot of Mercury's 40 and 50 years old still running along. Like most engines, gas and diesel, proper maintenance and lack of abuse figures into the equation. There are people who love them and people that hate them like almost all other mechanical items. It's like loving Chevy's and hating Ford's.
In addition to Donsan's list of potential problems (post 20), and items mentioned by others... One of the biggest items (that was already mentioned in early post) is weight control regarding COG... for taking unruly seas. As well, I might mention that in addition to your huge COG shift by pulling the inboard engines you will be completely altering the boat's weight ratio design concept by placing much added weight "past" your boat's transom. Boats are designed by navel architects and their weight placements are taken into full consideration for hull design as well as superstructure layout.
In addition to boat design weight-ratio mix-ups... I can see outboards becoming huge expense, very difficult to get installed properly, problematic for cruising, and a complete killer for resale.
IMO - Two least expensive alternatives you have: 1. Find someone who can actually restore your existing engines. 2. Rip out the old diesels and install gasoline engines. Or... Sell that boat and buy another.
Unfortunately, no matter what you decide to do... you have MANY "Boat-Bucks" in expense ahead.
Good Luck!! and Happy Boat-Repower Daze! - Art
This book will answer your question. Probably at a college library .
Skene's Elements of Yacht Design, Eighth Edition: Francis S ...
www.amazon.com › ... › Water Sports
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Skene's Elements of Yacht Design, Eighth Edition [Francis S. Kinney] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Eighth Edition, m Fifth printing, ...
Here is one concept....
Still a little houseboat origin...but certainly can be even further modified.
I took a ride through Indiantown, FL today and stopped at the marina....always interesting. Maybe someone recognizes this 32 or so trawler with a full keel and skeg, but now with the shaft log plugged and glassed over, and a jack plate added for an outboard. Pretty nice looking boat and a good candidate for the outboard trawler. I didn't get out to check, but she looks like wood.
I apologise up front for my inexperience but what would be the cost to replace the existing diesel engine with a comperable new or refurbished engine?
It is complicated due to the numerous combinations and permutations involved.
For example, does boat have a generator? Hydraulic steering? Autopilot? Single engine? What HP is involved? You question is really too vague to take a stab at.
If you really want an outboard powered trawler, take a long hard look at the TT35 from Great Harbour. It is trailerable to boot.
Does anyone have an idea??
It's not really a trawler but it's outboard powered:
Seen on the Potomac River near Washington DC. It belongs to the US Army so I guess it doesn't matter how the fuel mileage is.
It's not really a trawler but it's outboard powered:
Seen on the Potomac River near Washington DC. It belongs to the US Army so I guess it doesn't matter how the fuel mileage is.