TOPIC: This may be a very dumb question....

But I was wondering if there were ever any diesel outboards made. Particularly in the 40 Horse range. Maybe it sounds silly but i think it would be awesome to have one on my boat since its kind of a weird piece anyway.

There was one made many yrs ago. It was here in the states but i don't know whatever became of it. There was also one made in germany just after the war. I believe it was porche that made it. I can't recall anything current. I know there has been talk of them but I believe it was always believed that they would be just too heavy and smelly for an outboard. Maybe someone else here would have alittle bit more info. Skip.

Ok, I forgot about 2 more current ones. First is the Yanmar, they are not in production at this time but claim they are working on a new diesel outboard. The other one is made by Klaxon. They make ones from 4hp all the way up to 40 hp. Google Klaxon Diesel Outboard and you will be able to see info on these motors. Beware of the costs. Skip.

Yes there were. At least one is in the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY.

American Marc in California made them in the early 1960s. They never were a big hit.

Andreas

'63 McCulloch OX was used to power barges. Not much info out there, though.

You would need a heck of an over drive transmission on there. Since diesels are generally built for torque rather than high RPM. Or a prop with an astronomical amount of pitch. 11.5 x 36 LOL

I have one,I was told they also used them on sail boats,This one I need to set back on a lower unit someday but That is not at the top of my list,Mine came from Calif,,thanks to larry McKay and Dels Trucking,,Bill

HellCat,

there was a diesel @10HP outboard being built when i was in BRD long ago. - it was sold to power sailboats, had a HUGE amount of torque for its HP rating & weighed about as much as the average Buick.
(SORRY, but i cannot remember the brand-name, as i only saw one just one time. - it MAY have been made by DKW.)

yours, satx

Perkins did make an outboard. I don't know how long it was produced or how well/poorly it worked but I've seen one in Alburg VT. Split, did you see it there ? - on the rack West of the shop.

We have a 1968 Westerly Nomad sail boat. (British built) I would have come with a 9 HP diesel if it had an inboard motor. As it is, my dad ordered it with the outboard mounting bracket.

I assume that motor was probably a Perkins. They seemed to have a good many small diesels out there in that time period.

HellCat,

personally, i wish that i could find an operable diesel outboard to fit a little workboat that i have stored on our family farm. = it wouldn't plane with 300HP.

yours, satx