Re: Propane outboard?

[jerry-ahrens]

Taking a quick look online, I see the 15 hp Lehr propane outboard is about the same price as a new 15 Mercury 4 stroke. Somewhere in the neighborhood of $2,500 to $2,700 dollars. While I sure wouldn’t pay that for either one, they are competitively priced. Maybe a propane outboard is way out there for some, but with the problems I see on most 4 stroke carburetors, it may be a way to avoid fuel system problems. I see this stuff all the time at my shop. People come in with carburetors overflowing, or the motor simply will not start. In my humble opinion,Marine Stabil is not a cure for using ethanol. In, fact, I don’t know of any ”magic” additive that will eliminate all carburetor problems. Of course we all know that proper lay up for storage and using good fuel, etc, etc. will eliminate most problems. Trouble is, the average outboard owner doesn’t understand this, and always ends up with the hassles and repair bills. As I stated earlier in this thread, I own a Generac propane generator. I bought it just for this reason… I don’t want the hassles of storing gasoline, keeping it rotated so as to always have a fresh supply on hand in case of power outages. I start my propane generator once or twice a year, and let it run for a bit, as stated in the owners manual. It always starts right up, with no problems. I have a 100lb. cylinder, along with a couple BBQ cylinders full and ready if needed. Seems to have worked out well. I’m not saying to toos your old OMC Light Twin and buy a Lehr… but for some part time boaters it might be a good choice. Heck, even my propane suppliers brand new tank truck is propane powered.