New Merc Diesel Optimax 175

[GA_Boater]

A diesel sharing 95% of the parts of gas version and uses spark ignition instead of compression. Sound like it's more a gas motor tuned to run on diesel.

http://www.boatingmag.com/mercury-diesel-optimax-outboard-engine?cmpid=enewsh53015&spPodID=030

 

[MTboatguy]

They should talk to GM on how it worked out for them converting the 350 gas engine to a diesel back in the late 70's!

 

[GA_Boater]

That was a wonderful motor. Probably more in use today as mooring anchors than they put in cars.

I don't think it's a true diesel, just tuned to burn diesel fuel. And it's only available to the military and not to the recreational market nor does it meet emission standards.

http://www.mercuryracing.com/optimax-diesel-reporting-for-duty/

 

[GA_Boater]

Here is a spec sheet, compression ratio isn't mentioned. It's basically a multi-fuel engine tuned for diesel.

http://d29pb6nrvp2amd.cloudfront.net/images/2015_images/pdf/mercury_optimax_diesel.pdf

 

[Chris1956]

The military may be trying to lessen it's logistics trail. Remember they need to carry fuel for each type of device they use. Maybe they want to phase out the use of gasoline? They probably cannot phase out the use of diesel, as their ships run on it.

Or maybe Merc is advertising the lessening of the military logistics trail, if they buy this motor.....

 

[Teamster]

The Navy had a couple of bad fires on ships that started with the gasoline they were hauling for use in outboards,...

 

[Faztbullet]

Not a logistics problem ..from the article......

"A Navy ship crash in 1995, which resulted in an explosive gasoline fire, spawned a DoD directive for all gasoline-powered engines and gasoline fuel tanks be removed from Naval ships by 2010," said Tony Nahitchevansky, Mercury Marine government accounts manager.

The mandate called for engines to be developed to operate on fuels that are:

1) Able to improve ship safety by minimizing fire hazards,
2) More economical and more efficient, and
3) Readily available as single battle space fuel.