Really dumb motor question

[eric]

I have the EC 21. As you know they are a 30 HP Motor, The local lake has a 20 HP limit on it. I would like to use the tug on this lake sometimes. So here is the dumb question......being a 3 cyl. I am sort of thinking each puts out 10 HP. Is there any way to cut fuel or power to one Cyl? Thus making power only being produced by two Cyl. I may be able to show park officials if they asked that Im only firing on 2 Cyl. and be legal? Not knowing anything about diesels Im not sure if this is possible or even bad for motor.
Eric Hughes Central Pa

 

[mspaugy]

I am not really familiar with your 30 HP engine but I am pretty sure that you can not cut out a cylinder very easily on the model that you have. With one cylinder not firing you would more than likey find the engine to be running very rough.

 

[Ainokea]

Most municipalities use the rated horsepower of the engine as manufactured.

 

[abcandjrc]

Check with them to see if you could use the boat with a small outboard mounted on the stern. You may be able to work around the problem that way. It may or may not make the haul to other water look better, though, when you consider adding a bracket, buying the engine, and carrying gasoline, adding a fire risk you don't have now.

I agree that using the Yanmar engine on only two cylinders would not be a good idea at all. I do have experience with changing my Chevrolet V8 to a V6 back during the energy crisis of the '70s, by the way. It worked fine, ran smoothly, but was a real tongue-dragger on hills around Huntsville, Alabama. Of course, the configuration of that engine made balanced running with two down a whole lot smoother.

 

[eric]

Thanks all. just wondering if it could be done. I did mount an outboard on stern so will just use it that way at that lake.
But will just go to bay when possible heh heh
Eric Central Pa

 

[MuskokaNuts]

Any chance that the Powers that be would understand that your 30hp diesel in a 21' Tug will make less noise than a 20 hp 2-stroke in a tin boat and that you will max out at about 8kts (like my21EC) and the 20hp will drive a lot boats a lot faster than that? Just wondering. I am old enough to know that there is nothing common about common sense. LOL
Rick

 

[ozoner]

I have several friends who live on lakes with similar restrictions, and I also have an acquaintance who is a marine deputy patrolling some of these lakes. They are usually concerned about noise, wakes (erosion), speed, and swimmer/non-powered boater safety.

I doubt you would be able to come to an understanding about the fact that the Ranger 21 tops out at 8 knots, because then everyone else will want to come to an understanding about their unique situation. "Spirit of the law" is great, and if common sense and civility prevailed it should be no problem to come to an agreement. But would you want to be the deputy who did nothing but arbitrate this kind of thing, and explain to the judge why he gave a ticket to X for 25HP, while Y got to chug merrily along with no ticket on 30+? I sure wouldn't 🙂

 

[eric]

OK heh heh I got it.........Here is what I can do. Just have the four horse outboard idling and use the inboard. If I get stopped I will say Im just running inboard at idle to charge batteries. But in reality its the reverse. I just have to run back and forth to the outboard once and awhile to make it look like Im using it .
Eric Central Pa PS Im traveling right now and crossed the Hudson river. Looks like a great place to tug up and down. Had not even thought about the Hudson before today. Right to Albany and the Canal.....cool

 

[SlackwaterJack]

Simply switching props for that lake (costs less than an outboard) may work for you.
Just get a spare prop that will keep the rpm's at 3000 or below for use on that lake. Show them that the Manual's power curve shows under 20 HP at that rpm. (that's where my R-21 ('05) likes to run most efficiently anyways)