Most folks who know me also know that I like all boats, power and sail. Folks who really know me well also know that I prefer classic looking boats that seem, to my eye anyhow, to have timeless appeal. My own Flyzone is a good example of how my taste in boats runs. Check it out here: http://www.edsboattips.com/construction-a-technical/87-eds-boat  

Anyhow, this past weekend I had an opportunity to "modernize" a bit and get a feel for a boat with 900 Mercury 4-Stroke Verado horsepower. Here's what that looked like:

So, you may be asking what did it feel like? Really good. I'm impressed. With these engines pushing us along at a cruise speed of 30 knots the boat was quiet and super smooth running. At low speed trolling or idle, no fumes and so quiet you could hardly tell the engines were running. The boat in question was a Boston Whaler Outrage 37, certainly the largest outboard powered boat I have ever been on. I'm told by the skipper that it has a top speed somewhere in the 50 knot area with this power package. I'm just glad somebody else was running the fuel tab on this adventure. Definately a deep pocket hobby with a rig like this. But, if you are lucky enough to be in that category, this whole set-up is one sweet rig!

I recently received a query from a reader regarding a requirement for double hose clamps on all of the hoses in his boat's fuel system. It seems that during a recent survey for insurance the surveyor recommended that double clamps be added "based on ABYC Standards". The reader is a little confused because the boat hasn't been modified since new 6 years ago. So, what's the real deal here?

This one is easy to answer. The ABYC does NOT require that double hose clamps be used anywhere in your fuel system other than for the fuel fill hose. Double clamping of the fuel fill hose is a USCG requirement under Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations for recreational boats. In this case the ABYC Standards (H-24 and H-33 for gasoline and diesel systems respectively) mirror the Coast Guard requirements.

As a matter of fact, in many cases double clamping can do more harm than good. In the photo above, the double clamping at the fitting on the left is really causing a problem. the second clamp (farthest away from the fitting) is actually only clamping on the hose. The nipple on the fitting is not long enough to reach under the clamp. So, when tightening the clamp it actually starts to create a pulling effect on the hose as it tries to pull the hose off the fitting. Also, the end of the nipple is cutting into the inside of the hose also causing damage.

Further, in the photo above the clamps used are actually the wrong size. Notice the extended "tails" of clamp band beyond the screw mechanism. Sloppy workmanship. Beyond that, the outboard engine primer bulb really has no place located in the compartment shown as it is below deck. I'm not a fan of having primer bulbs located in enclosed areas on boats. Out on deck is fine, but due to their propensity for leaking I like to see them in an area where plenty of natural ventilation is happening, not buried in a closed space.

So, double clamps for the fuel system? Fuel fill hoses yes, all other hoses in the system, not required and sometimes can do more harm than good.

Last week I was able to share with you a little insight on how a basic lightning protection system might be set-up. The post was based on a question from one of our readers, Joe Langham. I also mentioned that Joe was also working on an electric propulsion conversion for his boat. Well, I've been in contact with Joe, and it turns out he is the creative type, a writer, actor, and musician, and of course a boater! It turns out that he and his partner Mo have begun a series of videos that are going to document their conversion from diesel to electric propulsion. You have got to see this! These folks know how to make a really tough, dirty job fun!

 Just to refresh everyone's memory, I first wrote about Electric Yacht about a year ago and I promised that a friend of mine in Halifax would have pictures of his install to share. Well, he got really busy and his project got side-tracked so not much progress has been made on that front. Electric Yacht has what I think is one of the sweetest, simple electric drive conversion kits available. The basic kit is shown here:

 Joe and Mo's conversion video is linked here, you have got to see this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=KB1votTDzu8

Now, hopefully Joe and MO will get this finished. Joe tells me he's not going to be able to get back on the project until July, like most of us he has that nasty necessity called work in the way of his projects, but we're going to follow him on this one. This team is off to a great start. I want to hear more about their battery choice too, I'm not sure its the right choice.

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?)