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From: Karl010203 (Original Message) Sent: 03/01/2009 13:03
Considering going from outboard to inboard diesel - how hard is it to retrofit a diesel to a tophat -- has anyone done this?



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From: nswsailor Sent: 03/01/2009 14:33
Karl,

Did your Top Hat have a inboard in at any stage?

ie is the shaft in place, and do you have the cut out in the rudder?

Phillip
SEAKA

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From: nswsailor Sent: 13/01/2009 01:35
Karl,

You may have to fit the diesel like this on Alley Oop.

Phillip
SEAKA

tom of mannering pt 0704.BMP
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From: Karl010203 Sent: 13/01/2009 03:18
Hi Phillip

I decided it was possible but in the too hard basket... for instance there is a tophat for sale locally that is probably 1/2 the price it was 2 years ago with an inboard if I could be bothered.

I must admit the next boat will be an inboard though... I can't stand the noise of an outboard for long periods.

THey did a good job on Alley Oop - I would be curious what the conversion cost them...

Thanks

I was quoted $15,000 for a 15hp yanmar fitted into a mk3 with a outboard well.

Faaaaaark... that is not cheap. In this market you could nearly get a whole tophat with inboard for that price.

After the fouled prop I had at Xmas time, disaster, I now appreciate the ability to lift the outboard from the well... there are benefits to the outboard, easy servicing, no leaking stern glands and an emergency rudder, ability to turn in marina.

The attraction of turning a key and going is huge, along with the economy - case of grass been greener...

Need to go sailing...

It looks to me as if the rudder stock runs straight to the foot of the keel, therefore it would not be possible to cut the existing rudder for a propellor. A new rudder stock would have to be formed and a new rudder made. I don't think the guy who quoted me had taken that into account. It does sound like a lot of work but not impossible. A new yanmar should out live at least 3 outboards, yes? The space it will take really isn't much good for storing anything except a couple of sail bags yeah?

I don't know, I'm toying with the idea and know I'll never recoup the money, but then again I'll never recoup what I've put into her as it is. So convince me it's a bad idea will ya.

Storm Petrel has an offset prop shaft which was fitted to the boat originally and has worked fine ever since (as far as I can tell). Perhaps this is another option you could consider. It enables the prop and/or shaft to be removed without taking the rudder off and I suspect it drives the boat a little faster than having the prop sandwiched between the keel and the rudder..

Cheers,
Mark

G'Day Rob and Mark,
Here is a photo I hope helps shows the setup on a Mk III.

I would also recommend, if you can afford it to fit a folding prop. The sailing performance is really good.
I just (2 years ago) had the Hatz (BMW) Diesel replaced with a Volvo 12 Hp. There were minumum mods to be done and that cost 10k for the engine and 4k for the fitting. Do you really need a 15Hp, maybe you could save a bit there, but at the same time its probably good to have a bit of power up your sleeve.
I put a rudder on the transom as the slow speed manoueverability was, I thought, bad. Mark??

Cut and paste the pcture to see the whole shaft.

here is an old shot(5 yrs) of Storm Petrel's setup.

Cheers,
Mark

hi
I've a 10 hp SOLE inboard came with the boat, which can cruise on 3/4 power on 4-5 knots all day long .
starts every time, can have a conversation while motoring, burns about 1 lt/ hr.
SYLPH mk III

Don't know if its much use but a local pointed out that the Volvo is a rebadged Perkins (still has the plates on it) which is also a Kubota.
Who's in bed with whom? Small BMW marine engines were made by HATZ?
Greg.

Hey DON'T take the micky out of the Bmtrouble's ,docile simple motors .What a design!! ?flywheel is behind motor the which is in front of the gearbox Gee! maybe I've put the engine in back to front ? and now forward is reverse or is reverse forward ? clock work valve lifter can be hand started by a man with one arm.A Volvo can't ? At least the BMW isn't a tractor engine and BMW sounds classy and expensive S #@&* the way mines going it's becoming the later ? It's a bit sad when your engines worth more than the Top Hat it's in The 'sole ' uhh !! LONG LIVE THE BMW .

Cheers Bear