HCS
05-28-2003, 06:01 PM
California's new marine-engine emissions
standards start national trend
As of December 31, 2002, only
marine engines meeting strict new
emissions guidelines can be bought
or sold in the state of California.
However, the US Enviromental
Protection Agency (EPA) is
expected to institute those
California standards nationally.
Although the marine industry
accounts for less than .1 percent of
the total exhaust constituents in the
state of California, the California Air
Resourses Board has implemented
stringent requirements for the
amount and type of allowable
emissions. An official economic impact
study from the state is forthcoming.
The state has made it pretty
easy for consumers and retailers to
identify engines that meet the
guidelines: A rectangular hand-tag
is attached to an engine to indicate
compliance. In addition, a black
and white emissions standards
sticker is applied.
For an engine to be California
emissions compliant, the requirement
allows no more that 16 grams of
hydrocaron plus NOX per kilowatt
engine hour. However, the current
standards lapse in 2007,
at which time it is expected the acceptable
limit will drop to less than five
grams of hydrocarbon plus NOX.
" This probably can't be done
without a catalytic converter ,"says
Dick Rowe, founder and chairman
or Indmar Marine Engines.
" It's either that or stick a potato in the muffler. "
Currently, Indmar supplies
engines to MasterCraft, Malibu and
Skier's Choice. Because of Rowe's
active involvement with the
National Marine Manufactures
Association, Indmar was first out of
the gate with a state-of-the art
emission lab for measuring hydrocarbons,
CO, CO2, O2 and NOX.
Indmar honed its engine into
acceptable emission limits by July
2002. Now, all Indmar engine-
whether sold in California or
anywhere else-meet the strict
new guidelines.
They aren't alone. Karl Kaukis,
MerCruiser marketing director,
says all MerCruiser products also
meet the guidelines. " MerCruiser
has developed test facilities to
measure the California emissions
standards, " he says." Where
necessary, product changes have
been made to ensure that
MerCruiser products, both inboard
and stern drive, meet the California
requirements."
Over at PCM engines, the R&D
engineers have been working on
improved emissions control for
several years, says PCM President
Chuck Thurman. " We met the stringent
European standards two years
ago, " he says." And as of January
1, 2003, every engine in the PCM
line meets and exceeds California
requirements."
This subject has been on here before,
but I think It's too extreme.
Were all for clean air.
But catalytic converters on boats.
Maybe potatoes would be better,
at least they would blow out!
Keep your old boat as long as you can.
That way you can give it all the horse power
and performance you want.
Until all the noise laws go into affect.
[ May 28, 2003, 11:39 PM: Message edited by: HARDCORE-SKI ]
standards start national trend
As of December 31, 2002, only
marine engines meeting strict new
emissions guidelines can be bought
or sold in the state of California.
However, the US Enviromental
Protection Agency (EPA) is
expected to institute those
California standards nationally.
Although the marine industry
accounts for less than .1 percent of
the total exhaust constituents in the
state of California, the California Air
Resourses Board has implemented
stringent requirements for the
amount and type of allowable
emissions. An official economic impact
study from the state is forthcoming.
The state has made it pretty
easy for consumers and retailers to
identify engines that meet the
guidelines: A rectangular hand-tag
is attached to an engine to indicate
compliance. In addition, a black
and white emissions standards
sticker is applied.
For an engine to be California
emissions compliant, the requirement
allows no more that 16 grams of
hydrocaron plus NOX per kilowatt
engine hour. However, the current
standards lapse in 2007,
at which time it is expected the acceptable
limit will drop to less than five
grams of hydrocarbon plus NOX.
" This probably can't be done
without a catalytic converter ,"says
Dick Rowe, founder and chairman
or Indmar Marine Engines.
" It's either that or stick a potato in the muffler. "
Currently, Indmar supplies
engines to MasterCraft, Malibu and
Skier's Choice. Because of Rowe's
active involvement with the
National Marine Manufactures
Association, Indmar was first out of
the gate with a state-of-the art
emission lab for measuring hydrocarbons,
CO, CO2, O2 and NOX.
Indmar honed its engine into
acceptable emission limits by July
2002. Now, all Indmar engine-
whether sold in California or
anywhere else-meet the strict
new guidelines.
They aren't alone. Karl Kaukis,
MerCruiser marketing director,
says all MerCruiser products also
meet the guidelines. " MerCruiser
has developed test facilities to
measure the California emissions
standards, " he says." Where
necessary, product changes have
been made to ensure that
MerCruiser products, both inboard
and stern drive, meet the California
requirements."
Over at PCM engines, the R&D
engineers have been working on
improved emissions control for
several years, says PCM President
Chuck Thurman. " We met the stringent
European standards two years
ago, " he says." And as of January
1, 2003, every engine in the PCM
line meets and exceeds California
requirements."
This subject has been on here before,
but I think It's too extreme.
Were all for clean air.
But catalytic converters on boats.
Maybe potatoes would be better,
at least they would blow out!
Keep your old boat as long as you can.
That way you can give it all the horse power
and performance you want.
Until all the noise laws go into affect.
[ May 28, 2003, 11:39 PM: Message edited by: HARDCORE-SKI ]