Glen-L.com

Hi group,

Following a horrific divorce last year, I unfortunately had to sell my beloved sailboat (a swedish built 21 footer) to cut costs.

Now things have eased up a little, but since the house was sold for less than it was worth, I have kind of a big hole that needs a little money every month.

I have decided on one thing, though: I need a boat! And since being capable of buying a new boat in cash is a handful of years away, I have come back to the idea of building one myself.

Some 5-6 years ago, I purchased the plans for the Bo Jest, and - in time- this will be a perfect fit for me. I will, however, start my adventures in a smaller world with either the Zip or the Squirt (big things have small beginnings, right?).

I do have a question with regards to the Bo Jest at this point. Call it long-term planning.

The description calls for a 5 to 10 hp engine. I was wondering if using a Volkswagen Engine, Type 1 1100/1.1l could be modified and used to drive the Bo Jest? I reckon that the engine actually delivers up to 30HP @ 3300rpm, and - the Bo Jest being a displacement boat - the surplus power would only burn up fuel without any significant increase in speed.

The reason for this question is, that a good, working VW engine is way cheaper in Denmark than a good, working inboard engine (a working inboard engine without gear usually starts around $1500 where the VW engine starts at $800-1000).

Could this be a possible solution?

Best regards,

Casper Helenius,
Denmark

Hi Novaree at least now you will get to build your boat in peace
I don't think the VW engine would be a great idea for one as a car engine it's only meant to run at about 25% "and they get quite hot at that" where as a boat engine runs at 75% and at these rev's it would be very noisy and need a lot of air to keep it cool, I'd spend the extra $500 on a marine engine that way you will be able to get all the parts you need for your running gear and will probably save money in the long run.
PS. there is no resin why you can't build the Bo jest as a first build others have done it.
Best of luck with what you decide it will be a great project to take your mind off things.

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Malahini, SEAN-NÓS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd6vkPjEy4U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uDVzcVpdhc
crackerbox build http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx17 ... =slideshow

Wait, I am still trying to figure out why anyone would divorce a girl from Denmark? Aren't they all drop dead gorgeous? Well, I guess you can always marry another one from Denmark?

Steve

And it really doesn't matter what you get for options with the new one...they all cost pretty much the same!

Greetings Casper,

As I see it, building a boat primarily to save money is not the way to go. Much better and cheaper approach is to buy a good used, functional boat that fits your needs.
Any non marine engine no matter how good, cheap, powerful or what not is the most expensive way to power the boat. There are numerous (expensive) components that will need to be purchased before it will work in a boat. And when done, it may not even do the job properly. Again, new(er) (or good used if must be) but complete MARINE engine is the only way I would recommend.
Now if you want to build the boat for the joy of it and to get it exactly the way you want it, go for it. Do the research, plan, take your time when selecting and purchasing the design and materials (marine grade only) and it will be one of the most rewarding experiences. And if you do it right, you may even save money and have much better boat when done.
And I think Bo Jest is great design. I absolutely love mine. Thank you Glen L for enabling me to build it.
Ciao,
Sam

Ever hear of a "volks-liner"? 1960 (????ish) VW dealers sold them, not sure who built the hull, but the powerplant was a mostly-stock 36 hp type 1 with some exhaust risers, and flame arrest screens on the generator and distributor, and an aluminum thermal sink along the keel for oil temp control.


The type 1 will hold together well at continuous operation at rated output. If it didn't, it wouldn't have found itself transplanted into airboats, aircraft, pumps, and generators. All of which require very long periods of high-load operation. The major prerequisite for such use is very good oil thermal control, and proper oil viscosity.


Still, I would find a less goofy powerplant.

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Some plan to stroll through Saint Peter's Gates, I plan to go through them at 150mph... backwards... in a screaming ball of flame, with a glimmer belt wrapped around my head, and a NOx button in my hand.

I have to completely disagree with Island Girls comments regarding using Non marine engines.

Personally I plan on using a Lexus 4l V8, this is a common marine conversion down in this neck of the woods. The Lexus (Toyota) engine I am planning on using has readily available, off the shelf marine conversion parts. There are a number of suppliers, and they support a number of different engines.

In fact Toyota themselves put this same engine out in a marine form in there range of plastic boats; they don't make there plastic boats anymore due to a problem with the Hull molds


For me to buy a crate motor down here is going to set me back somewhere in the region of $15K- $20K, where as I can marinize a second hand engine for less than $10K.

Lastly, there is the argument that crops up about car engines not being built for running at extended periods at 75% of WOT. As long as you match your choice of engine to what you expect to do with it and marinise it properly I don't see it as an issue. I totally agree that some engines are NOT suitable, particularly if you plan on using you boat all day ever day at near on WOT.


Again to harp on about the lexus engine, 6 bolt mains, sealed alternator and starter, EFI, hell its half way marinised already. The later model ones use coil over plugs so there no dizzie to worry about either.

Me, I'm building a Monaco, and its probably going to get used for a couple of hours each weekend over summer. If I put 100 hours on it over a summer I will be surprised. I am confident it will happily cope with that.

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Building a Monaco....provisionally called "Serenity"
http://glen-l-monaco.blogspot.com/

How about a small Kubota diesel with dry stack and keel cooling Works for me.
See my postings in the Hankinson section under Titan progress.

Doug