Improvement to My Boat

The Chinese engine has been installed. After all the preparation and anticipation, it is now actually in the boat and running.

How It Went

Installation took longer than expected — as these things always do. There were a few compatibility issues with the existing mounts and the cooling system needed some adjustments. But after a full weekend of work, the engine was in, connected, and running.

The first test run was encouraging. The engine started cleanly, ran smoothly, and pushed the boat at a good pace. It is noticeably more powerful than the old engine it replaced.

Some Teething Issues

UPDATE: After a few more runs, some teething issues have emerged. There is an occasional rough idle and the fuel consumption is slightly higher than the specifications suggested. I am working through these issues with some help from the engine supplier. Nothing that cannot be fixed, but worth noting.

The Longer Plan

Let me be clear about the longer-term plan, because I know some of you will be wondering: yes, I am still committed to converting to full electric propulsion. This diesel engine is a temporary solution — a bridge to get the boat running reliably while I research and save for a proper electric conversion.

The Chinese engine was a pragmatic choice: affordable, functional, and better than the 60-year-old Mercedes diesel it replaced. But it is not the destination. Electric is the destination.

Watch this space for updates on the electric conversion planning.