LPG conversion kit for gt 40 motor?

[mike-d]

Any overseas owners converted to lpg? if so, what kit, how much? How long does your average run time last compared to petrol use? I am tired of filling up the boat every other day this summer, I must be spending $500 a week, or more, and thats just pulling the kids and wife etc. etc.

thanks,
Mike
2001 SAN gt 40

[hyparks]

Hi, most boats here in the UK run on LPG. My 01 san 210 gt40 is running on lpg. I have 2 60 litre tanks. 1 sat on each ballast tank. Not really sure what kit it is. My local dealer, Midlands Nautique fitted it for me. Cost around £1600. Full of lpg will last me around 5 hours wakeboarding with rear ballast full and also centre fat sac full and a few people in. We have an lpg tank at the side of the lake we use so just fill up lakeside. Still have some petrol in the boat but only really use it if I run out of lpg and can't get back to the dock. Very rare that happens though.
I know they now fit a kit called Prins I think but think that's more expensive. Hope this helps.

[NigelC]

The earlier induction systems in the UK use Impco vapouriser (model E??) and mixer (425). This is nowadays quite a crude setup compared to the newer and more efficient Prins system.

I believe the Impco parts are available in the US.

[hyparks]

The earlier induction systems in the UK use Impco vapouriser (model E??) and mixer (425). This is nowadays quite a crude setup compared to the newer and more efficient Prins system.

Yes your right it is an Impco system fitted in mine. Had the same system in my old prostar MC.
If I had the extra money I would have had the Prins but a lot more expensive.
Many boats still use the Impco systems and are still being fitted to boats nowadays as well as the Prins systems.

[mike-d]

thanks! I will check them out, cost, installation etc. What does lpg cost in the uk per liter? I know I can get my house tank filled for $320.00 on average,
any drawbacks, quirks? safty issue to worry about?

Mike

[thedude]

I agree with Mike above. I have been curious about this for a while now. As I understand it, the engine runs on gasoline until warm, then switches over to LPG or CNG. Do you notice this switch over? How does the boat run when loaded with ballast and people on LPG? Do you guys in the UK have any pictures of your LPG set-ups? Here in the states, CNG may catch on soon, especially in my area. This is very interesting!

[hyparks]

Hi. I will try and take some photos at the weekend.
I Can't vouch for everyone's boat but must boats that I have been on have a toggle switch up the front of the boat so you can select which fuel you want to run on.
I can start my boat from cold on either fuel.
I think the main concern with starting up from cold on lpg means there is no warm water at first running through the vapouriser which tends to make them freeze.
The idea of starting on petrol ensures the engine is warm and there is a flow of warm water to the vapouriser before switching over manually.
I start on lpg whilst on the trailer and rev up to 2000 revs and let it sit there for a couple of minutes to let it warm up and then it runs fine with no freezing issues.
I only really use the petrol ( gasoline ) if I run out of lpg. I have no lpg gauge on the dashboard, only on the tanks. They can be added to the dash though.

My ski club charge around 66 pence per litre of lpg. Think this is around 1.04 dollars. This is probably a lot more than what you guys will pay but considering our petrol is around £1.33 a litre its much better running our boats on lpg.

Not heard of any safety issues really. Just good insurance I think to check every so often for leaks at pipe joints etc.

Hope this helps guys

[Andy3535]

Hi.My Nautique 206 (2007)is running on LPG starts always first time on LPG,the petrol tank has been taken out,the excalibur engine has clocked 1400 hours on LPG !!!

[hyparks]

Many boats are lpg only over here. My old Ps190 was duel fuel then we removed the petrol tank to make way for a fatsac lol

[Laptom]

I previously had an 210 excalibur on lpg and now a 230 zr6 on lpg. No drawbacks, we keep the boat in the harbour all summer so lpg is perfect and safe (check every year). We have plastic lpg tanks of 25litres which the 230 can hold 6 in the rear storage. 1 tank = 1hour of wakeboarding. Each tank weights 4kg empty so this is easy and can be refilled at every petrolstation in the Netherlands. No dripping or messing around, just clean hands.

The boat starts hot or cold on lpg, but we made it a common use that we start the boat on petrol first time a day. It's great to spend 140hours wakeboarding every year and only cost 1 tank of petrol ;-) .
For us no drawbacks for lpg!