Category: Sustainability

The concept of diesel in the marine world is nothing new, but when it comes to diesel-powered outboards, the industry still considers them a novelty. Per OXE Marine, they try to keep it short and concise with this information.

When it comes to a boat engine, which is best? Petrol or diesel, inboard or outboard? Stu Davies answers your questions.

PBO engine expert Stu Davies comments: “An interesting question. In the ‘olden days’ petrol engines were relatively easy and cheap to manufacture, lighter and simple to operate and easily maintained by owners.” Outboards are not so good. There is also the case for diesel for use in outboards. Despite recent advances small diesel outboards are still not mainstream. Larger units can be seen powering RIBS, sportsboats and military vessels, but for a yacht they’re not so suitable.

In a world first for diesel outboard motor propulsion, Cox Marine (COX) will attend this year’s Coniston Powerboat Records Week, with the aim of setting a new British Record for the fastest diesel outboard motor powered boat.

About OXE Marine AB

At OXE Marine we are driven by the ambition to transform the outboard motor; impacting the journey towards a more sustainable and ecologically positive marine environment. OXE Marine was founded in 2012, and is the company behind a patented outboard transmission, enabling the use of high torque diesel engines on outboard systems and in sterndrive solutions.

MAN Engines has approved all marine engines from the current product range for use with renewable diesel fuel in line with the standard EN15940 in Europe and the US-American specification ASTM D975 of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) with immediate effect. This will allow customers to replace conventional petroleum-based diesel fuel with “green” or renewable diesel fuel. Renewable diesel fuel is obtained from waste and residues of animal and plant origin, cellulosic biomass such as crop residues, but also hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO).

Electric boats might be grabbing the headlines but, with diesel-powered craft still dominant, isn’t it time we looked at greener fuel alternatives? While there’s understandable excitement surrounding the new generation of electric boats from the likes of X Shore, Candela and Delphia, the truth is that battery power won’t be replacing the internal combustion engine in larger planing craft any time soon. The physics just don’t add up due to the weight, volume and cost of batteries required. Depending how you calculate it, a kilogram of diesel packs 30-100 times the energy of a kg of lithium ion battery.

Anytime there’s a legit, suitably notable “first-in-the- world” introduction, it’s usually a big deal. Such it was on a rainy day in 2009 when Foss Maritime unveiled the world’s first hybrid tug, the Carolyn Dorothy. Maybe 300 guests heard speakers from Foss and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach tout the new environmental credibility of the tug, which was the point of the ports’ $1.3 million grant money that helped build it.

This month’s Pulse Report survey asks dealers if they are instituting new business practices to address sustainability and environmental protection. The survey inquires about clean energy, recycling, waste management, screening for invasive species and other enhancements. Launched by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and Baird Research, the survey monitors monthly retail conditions. It includes the Marine Retail Sentiment Index, which tracks retailer confidence.