Yanmar and Armstrong Join Forces Creating a Cool Powering Option

          Looking to repower? Thinking about a conversion from gasoline to diesel? Check this out, It seems a really cool concept. Off the top of my head, about the only question I have is how you balance out the weight by moving that diesel engine all the way aft. But, considering how much a new big block outboard engine weighs, my concerns are probably unfounded. I’ve got to believe the folks at Yanmar have already figured this one out. Can’t wait to see this one in person. The company says to expect it to be on display at some of the fall shows.

Armstrong Nautical Products of Stuart, Florida, and Yanmar America Corporation of Adairsville, Georgia, have introduced the AYM (Armstrong Yanmar Marine) bolt-on diesel bracket.  The bracket can be installed in place of a normal outboard bracket, replace an existing sterndrive or straight shaft inboard, or be specified for a factory-built boat.  It's available with a variety of Yanmar diesel sterndrive propulsion packages from 180 hp to 370 hp, in single or twin configurations.

The Armstrong bracket is designed to provide strength and buoyancy when coupled with Yanmar's lightweight, high-performance diesel engine packages.  It results in superior reliability and durability with diesel engine fuel economy, and according to published data, will significantly extend the cruising range.

The first boat to get this package is a Parker 2530 extended cabin, powered with a 260 hp Yanmar 6BY2-260.  It's coupled to a Yanmar ZT350 hydraulic clutch sterndrive, known for its smooth and quiet shift characteristics.

Tom Watson, Marine Division Manager at Yanmar America, explains, "The AYM bracket adds buoyancy aft while lowering the engine's center of gravity.  This adds to the vessel's stability.  Armstrong's unique bracket design increases the boat and motor combination efficiencies, enhancing the great performance for which both brands are already known."

The extension of the bracket results in additional unobstructed deck space, something owners don't get with outboard installations.  Also, the engine noise is moved completely aft.

The pumps in this photo show gasoline priced at 28 cents per gallon. Remember when?

 Yet another warning about the use of E-15 fuels in marine engines came in over the transom late last night. This one from the folks at the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. They put an interesting safety spin on their warning. Thinking about the content of their announcement, I realized that this E-15 thing will effect many millions of trailerable boat owners from around the country. Combine that thought with the unrest in the middle east and the already rising gasoline costs here in the US, and I'm beginning to wonder about the strength of any potential powerboat market recovery this year...just thinking out loud here.... Here's the press release:

WASHINGTON – Boaters who fuel their boats from the same pumps as their vehicle may be at risk of unknowingly or mistakenly putting 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline into an engine for which E15 has not been approved.

Only one small label is required on the pump to warn boaters of the 50 percent increase in ethanol. The Coast Guard Auxiliary recommends only fueling boats from tanks at marinas.

On January 21, 2011 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted a waiver that allows the percentage of ethanol in the nation's gasoline supply to jump from 10% (E10) to 15% (E15) to be sold only for cars, SUVs and light-duty trucks made in 2001 through 2006. This decision comes on the heels of an October 13^th decision to waive the limitations for so-called E15 for model-year 2007 and newer cars and light-duty trucks. This EPA waiver does not permit use of the higher alcohol content fuel in lawnmowers, chainsaws, snowmobiles, motorcycles or boats.

NEWS from BoatUS, February 7, 2011 issue states that many components on a boat come in contact with ethanol-laden gasoline, including fuel lines, fuel tanks, fuel pumps, fuel injectors, carburetors, pressure regulators, valves, o-rings, and gaskets. The compatibility of these components with any blend greater than E10 is currently unknown. The failure of only one of these components in your engine could lead to failure or, worse, a fire or explosion.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is a uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary, America’s Volunteer Guardians, supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service’s missions.

Check out that last sentence above. I love it when one government agency shares real world concerns with another and there is an intelligent response...............(not)?

Just remember folks, there is absolutely no scientific proof that the use of ethanol is doing anything to clean anything up or minimize the use of overseas provided petroleum. Its a subsidy for American corn farmers and that's it! (Sorry if you are a corn farmer, but hey couldn't you make a living feeding the impoverished areas of the world instead?)

Sorry I've been MIA for a few days but I'm at the Miami Boat Show this week and its been one press conference and meeting after another. One of the more intriguing little adventures this week was provided by our friends at Torqeedo. I got a chance to drive the boat shown below with my firend and colleague Ben Ellison from over at the Panbo website. (www.panbo.com)

So between Ben and myself we're looking at almost 400 lbs. Guess what, we were able to get this boat up on a plane! Full on electric propulsion and we topped out at nearly 14 mph.
The only noise we heard was a faint wirring from the motors. If you check Ben's latest post overr at www.panbo.com you can see the photo I took of him while were up on plane. The grin on his face says it all.

The boat is equipped with four of Torqeedo's new Lithium ION batteries that can provide power at full throttle for about two hours of run time. At slower speeds the actual run time goes up considerably.

Can you tow a water skier with this rig? No, but if you're looking for a clean and green small boat for some lake fishing this might be a very cool choice. You can find out more about the boat by contacting Todd Sims, the owner of E Power Marine, www.epowermarine.com or email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

I'll see you back here on December 28th. Have a good one!  Ed

Volvo Penta, Yamaha sign control-systems deal

In a sign of the times and what I see as a very intelligent business approach for the marine industry, Volvo Penta and Yamaha are going to partner on the development of outboard engine control systems. Way to go for both companies in my view!

The engine control systems that will be developed include single remote control for outboard-powered boats. The new product will combine power and steering control in one easy-to-use electronic device. The intention is to greatly improve maneuverability and ease of docking for larger boats that use outboard power.

"We are excited about the opportunity to combine the talents of Yamaha and Volvo Penta engineers to achieve new levels in state-of-the-art marine control design. Our independent customers will be the direct beneficiaries of this strategic alliance," said Clint Moore, Volvo Penta of the Americas president and CEO, in a statement.

More marine companies should look into sharing intellectual assets effectively in my humble opinion. Is see it as one way for the marine industry to begin climbing out of the hole it fell into as the US and global economy tanked.