6.5 Turbo diesel Romany 21 boat, first water test

Finally, the trailer is modified, the boat is ready to test, everything runs. Sorry, no better vid yet as my hands were full after the fuel leak and coolant puke due to cut hose. 40+ mph coming in to the marina!

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 6.5 turbo diesel
• boat engine conversion
• bravo one
• Romany 21
• fishing boat
• diesel test run
• sea trial

[zz3astro]

Awesome work! Would love to build a turbo diesel boat in this size range some day.

[kimmer6]

@zz3astro Many thanks. I worked on it today a little and things are looking good. I am happy that engine turned the big clever blade prop. I saw 5psi boost maximum, too. Very conservative. The guy in the chase boat said the sound was wonderful, gave him a woody. More testing this week!

[kimmer6]

This was the first half-throttle excursion after leaving the marina. 1200 to 2000 rpm just for a bit, not up on plane. The fuel hit the turbo and blew a cloud of white smoke. We had 30lbs of dry chem extinguishers in case of fireball. We pinched the leakoff line, tooled around, picked up a 3rd person from the chase boat, then headed for the marina. 40+ mph at 3200 rpm without proper outdrive trim. Wow! Actually too much prop at 15 dia x 25" pitch. 15x21 would work nicely.

[kimmer6]

An injector leak off line fell off and I did not dare keep any power on it. The boat had only minor problems but the trailer was 100% excellent and towed like a dream. The tires on the truck barely got wet.

I am so happy it ran well after all the work. No leaks.

[zz3astro]

@kimmer6 I look forward to some more videos of this project. I grew up living right behind a waterfront seafood restuarant. Since I was friends with their son, I was fortunate to spend many days of my childhood on their boats 50 miles out in the gulf. Nothing smells better than an old boat with diesel engines lol. And nothing sounds better than a turbo spooled on a marine diesel!