Engines and Propulsion - Ocean Navigator

15 Feb

New Gear Introduced at Miami Boat Show

Eric ColbyBoat & Gear News, Electrical Systems, Engines and Propulsion, Marine Technology

The Yamaha Marine U.S. Business Unit introduced a wireless remote control for its Helm Master EX boat control system at the Miami International Boat Show in February. While outboard motors may not be the power of choice for long-range cruising, the wireless control is a signal of things to come for boat operation. The Yamaha Wireless Control System includes all Helm Master EX joystick functionality plus autopilot control and man-overboard functions. With its fingertip button, it makes possible single-handed operation and gives captains full joystick control while freeing up a hand for setting lines or adjusting fenders. A captain can…

30 Jan

New John Deere Inboard Engines

Eric ColbyBoat & Gear News, Engines and Propulsion, Industry & Company News, Marine Technology, Power Voyaging

Deere & Company, the manufacturer of John Deere engines, has unveiled two new diesel marine powerplants, the JD14 and JD18. With the new engines, John Deere offers marine customers a power range from 400 hp to 803 hp. Production on the new engines is expected to start in 2026. “With the JD14 and JD18 marine engines, we’re able to deliver high performance and excellent fuel efficiency while providing the rugged durability our marine engines have become known for in the industry,” Pierre Guyout, senior vice president of John Deere Power Systems, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to demonstrate our…

20 Jan

Grand Soleil Unveils Sustainable Boat Project

Eric ColbyBatteries, Boat & Gear News, Electrical Systems, Engines and Propulsion, Industry & Company News

At the Boot Düsseldorf show in Germany, Grand Soleil Yachts introduced a new project intended to address issues like sustainability and end-of-life cycle. Grand Soleil Blue is a prototype collaboration between Grand Soleil and Cantiere del Pardo to showcase eco-friendly yacht construction. “The sea is our passion and our home,” Gigi Servidati, Cantiere del Pardo chairman said in a statement. “The GS Blue demonstrates how design, performance and sustainability can harmoniously coexist creating a boat designed for future generations.” Other participants in the project include naval architect Matteo Polli, Nauta Design for the exterior and interior design and materials specialist…

15 Jan

Volvo Penta Launches Global Three-Year Warranty

Eric ColbyBoat & Gear News, Engines and Propulsion, Industry & Company News, Marine Technology, Press release

Marine propulsion systems supplier Volvo Penta has announced a 3-year expanded global warranty. The new coverage applies to products delivered from 2025 going forward and covers Volvo Penta-branded transmissions, engines, control systems and accessories. The new warranty replaces previous offerings and reflects Volvo Penta’s commitment to delivering premium-level protection and support for pleasure and commercial vessels. It provides global coverage on all marine Volvo Penta branded products supported by the Swedish company’s service network. For the first three years, the warranty covers all Volvo Penta branded products and transitions to major component coverage in the subsequent two years. For commercial…

02 Dec

ePropulsion Extends 96-volt Offerings

Eric ColbyBoat & Gear News, Electrical Systems, Engines and Propulsion, Marine Technology

Electric propulsion supplier ePropulsion has expanded its 96-volt offerings. The company said it’s building on the ePropulsion Smart System Architecture, introducing a Pod Drive 20eSSA, G102-230 battery and a modular energy system called PowerCruise Essential for small electric and hybrid vessels. The new offerings will debut in the 2025 model year and were on display at the METSTRADE show in Amsterdam in late November. “Following the success of our X-Series and I-Series motors and the G102-100 battery, and based on discussions with our boat builder partners, we have enhanced our existing product offerings,” Danny Tao, co-founder and CEO of ePropulsion,…

29 Nov

Yanmar Wins Design Awards for Electric Sailboat Motors

Eric ColbyBoat & Gear News, Engines and Propulsion, Ocean Voyaging

Yanmar Marine International’s E-Saildrive SDe 48v series of electric propulsion systems won two DAME Design Awards in the Propulsion & Dynamics and Environmental categories. The accolades were presented during the METSTRADE international trade show for the recreational boating industry in Amsterdam in mid-November. The E-Saildrive SDe was designed to be a “plug and play” replacement for a gasoline-burning system. Yanmar says it requires no hull modifications to be installed. It uses a 48-volt electrical system and the E-Saildrive range features three models, the SDe7, SDe10 and SDe15. The numbers represent the kilowatt rating and the engine manufacturer says they…

31 Oct

Repowering Considerations

Story and photos by Eric FreedmanEngines and Propulsion

As time and miles pass, even the best-built and best-equipped cruising boats succumb to wear. Onboard equipment like rigging, sails, pumps, and other gear eventually require renewal. Unfortunately, there also comes a time when the auxiliary engine may need replacement as well. Although most small, well-cared-for diesels can have an average lifespan of around 10,000 hours, there may come a time to think about replacement prior to that. Not all motors have been well cared for through their lives. Rust, corrosion, poor maintenance and general abuse can shorten an engine’s life. As years pass, replacement parts can become harder and…

31 Oct

Fifty Years of Diesels

Ocean NavigatorEngines and Propulsion

My wife Terrie and I built our first boat, an Ingrid 39 called Nada, in Louisiana, funded by a job in the Gulf of Mexico oilfields. A few years earlier Terrie and I were aboard my brother Chris’ boat — which was equipped with a hard-to-start Thorneycroft engine — when the boat was nearly sunk by a freighter in the English Channel. The image of that freighter bearing down on us, which had given me nightmares for years afterwards, was implanted in my brain. I was determined to have an engine that could be depended upon to start both electrically and…