Propane Powered Outboards

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• Stodge Member Posts: 2,738 ✭✭✭✭

  April 2019

  WestMarine has had one that looks like it used the same small cylinders as a gas grill.  
  
  https://www.westmarine.com/buy/lehr--5hp-propane-powered-outboard-short-shaft--13499009?recordNum=3
  
  This one is on sale for just under $1k

  2002 FV 342 on Lake St. Clair - Past Commodore SHC - Vessel Examiner USCGAUX

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• aero3113 Member Posts: 9,591 ✭✭✭✭✭

  April 2019

  Very cool, here’s a video on it.
  https://youtu.be/8RTc_xFonQM
  

  2008 330EC

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• Dream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,821 mod

  April 2019

  Yes, they've been out for 5 years or so.  A good dock buddy has one and it works pretty well (although he has switched over to the battery one now).
  

  Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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• LaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,934 mod

  April 2019

  I chuckled at their claim that propane costs half as much as gasoline.  The little propane bottles cost $4/pound.  For $3, you can get a gallon of gas that has as much energy as 8 pounds of propane.  So gas is cheaper by a factor of ten.  Marketing ...
  

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• zaverin1 Member Posts: 1,672 ✭✭✭

  April 2019

  But it burns cleaner 
  duhhhhhh

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• diggin2day1 Member Posts: 1,331 ✭✭✭✭

  April 2019 edited April 2019

  They definitely have their pros/cons... like refueling, screw off/screw on. I have heard that they have their share of issues, but so does any small engine(my 3.3hp Mercury 2-stroke is at the shop now!)

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• Willhound Member Posts: 4,224 ✭✭✭✭✭

  April 2019

  I don't know anyone with a propane outboard but I know a bunch with propane powered ice augers. Like a small outboard an auger is used a few times a season and then put away for the year. Biggest advantage is no gummed up carberators or fuel tanks. Almost zero maintenance. No gas to mix or smell. Less danger from carrying fuel. And in a boating situation a lot of us already carry those small propane cylinders for our BBQ.
  So I can see the attraction.
  

  "Knot Quite Shore" - 2000 FV270 (Sold)
  2018 Cherokee 39RL Land Yacht (Sorry...)

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• Black_Diamond Member Posts: 5,439 ✭✭✭✭✭

  April 2019

  I have a few slip mates with these and like them.  No gasoline to carry.  No bad fuel issues.  

  Past owner of a 2003 342FV
  PC BYC, Holland, MI

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• Michael T Member Posts: 7,240 ✭✭✭✭✭

  April 2019

  You can connect a larger (BBQ) propane cylinder to the outboards and reduce the cost that way.

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