Alternative fuel/motor for motor boats?

Question

Hey all - I also posted this in the boating category.

I recently trekked through the Amazon, and to get you out to the jungle, they take you on a "lancha," which I guess would be like a motorboat (it's more like a canoe with a motor), see the link for a picture (I'm not in it).

http://www.confluence.org/photo.php?visi...

I was really feeling sad in this boat as I knew that we were contaminating the very thing we had come to see : the environment in it's natural, virgin state. So I wanted to pick some brains about motors that could be used for these types of boats (sometimes the water is very shallow as well), and that would not contaminate the water or air, or at least be the least-contaminating of what's out there.

And maybe if they're in a reasonable price range? But any price will work, for now. I (obviously) have no working knowledge of boating, so I'm hoping you all can help me help them help the environment!

Thanks.

Answer 1

Bio-diesel works for most diesel engines so if boats have diesel engines you can use 100% pure biodiesel and you are safe :)

Answer 2

Unfortunately there isn't really any commercially available low priced alternative to the type of boat you are suggesting.  Most alternative fuel boats are expensive at this point simply because the demand isn't very high.  That doesn't mean it can't be done though.  People are using solar panels and electric boat motors to build this sort of transportation.

http://www.solarnavigator.net/solar_powe...

But since there isn't much commercially available you would have to build your own system.  The toughest part would be finding space and ways to attach the panels and where to put the heavy batteries.

Answer 3

Do you have try air pressure motor it don't need water or gas just air?  but it is just a theory? it must have 2 pressure tanks so if the first air tanks is use the next air tanks automatically open and the first air tanks that is use will automatically pump in air it will repeat it self again and again? using solar etc.

Answer 4

They do have boat engines that run off of Bio Diesel. Since a car diesel engine can be modified to run off of vegetable oil. Boat engines are Diesel so could be modified as well. I don't know if alternative fuel is less damaging to the environment but with so many different options out there I am sure there is one that would be less polluting.

Answer 5

There have been many boats converted to electric power and depending on the size of the boat the speeds and distances were comparable to combustion fuel engines. However the transportation you saw was a form of a canoe and shallow draft bottom. This style would be ample for a solar cell or battery pack energy source that would drive an out-board electric motor propeller. I am certain there are battery dealers in Brazil.

Spartawo...