Originally posted by GasTurbine:
Contray...I can get fresh 1150hp T-53s for about $3000.00.
Add up the installation cost and the operating cost for a year and compare it then. I would like to have one. The noise would always be an issue.
A guy I met in the Mi.Hot boat assn. has a 32' Skater turbine boat that he bought from Howard Arneson. He told me the boat has logged over 100hrs at over 100 mph and I guess it tops out at close to 150 mph. He said that when he fills her up he has the guy with the tanker truck with home heating oil come by and the fuel is less than 1$ per gal. That probably offsets some of the extreme fuel consumption. I don't think fuel cost is much of an issue to him anyway.
Originally posted by Infomaniac:
Add up the installation cost and the operating cost for a year and compare it then. I would like to have one. The noise would always be an issue.
Installation costs are the same for a hi-perf piston engine.
Operating cost are offset, by not having to rebuild a 1150hp piston engine every 2 seasons.
But yes...noise is the biggest issue. http://free.***boat.net/ubb/frown.gif
Take care.
Originally posted by GasTurbine:
Installation costs are the same for a hi-perf piston engine.
Come on now be honest. I looked in all my catalogs and did not see engine mounts for a turbine. Checked with Bassett and Rewarder. They did not have exhaust. The driveline folks did not even know what I was talking about. http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif
Can you get an adapter to mate it up to an Alpha drive unit? I could use a little boost in my VIP ski boat... The 4 cylinder is a little underpowered, and this should cover me. Will it fit under the existing cowelling?
Originally posted by Infomaniac:
Come on now be honest. I looked in all my catalogs and did not see engine mounts for a turbine. Checked with Bassett and Rewarder. They did not have exhaust. The driveline folks did not even know what I was talking about. http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif
We made our own mounts out of steel, and then had them chromed. About $30 worth of steel stock, a welder, a torch, and about an hours time...whala! You can see them at my web site.
There is no "exhaust" system for a turbine engine.
We drilled the output shaft flange to accept a standard Ford u-joint flange...piece of cake.
Now we did have to order our 2 HD drive shafts...that set us back $400, but hey, I know people that put that much into their out-drive yearly! http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif
Take care.
Originally posted by BOFH:
Can you get an adapter to mate it up to an Alpha drive unit? I could use a little boost in my VIP ski boat... The 4 cylinder is a little underpowered, and this should cover me. Will it fit under the existing cowelling?
You can go to my web site, and look at all the pics on how we set ours up, but sure...you could hang an out-drive on it...but dont forget to beef it way up...turbines have linear torqe all thru their RPM range...it would certainly eat a stock drive in no time.
The T-53 is a pretty big engine (however, weighs less than a complete big-block), and has the output shaft oppisite the exhaust, so you would have the exhaust issue if you wanted to lay it down in the boat, with the shaft facing to the rear.
Pratt & Whitney makes a smaller (750hp?)turbine that is quite compact...I found a guy who put one in a jet boat, and he was able to enclose the whole thing. He also fabricated some stainless to route the exhaust thru the transom just above the water line...I believe he broke 100 if I remember correctly.
Happy boatin'!
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