Most environmentally friendly motor for small motorboat?

Question

Hey all,

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?visitid=10913&pic=8

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

A 4 stroke engine would be the best but it is to heavy for very small boats like you need.   A 2 stroke engine has oil in the gas for lubrication and that is not good thing for the environment.  The best thing you should do is get a brand new engine.  A new engine will burn clean and pollute very little even if it is a 2 stroke.  Old engines can have bad compression etc. and will not make a complete and good burn.  Also an old engine can have a gear box leaking heavy gear oil and that can really put out a mess.  Just get a new engine of any make and you will not harm the environment.

Answer 2

Look into the Honda line of 2HP outboards.  4 cycle, quiet, no transmission and with a centrifugal clutch drive.  Just twist the throttle and go.  For reverse, turn the engine around, flip the lever over and go.  Very clean burn of the fuel.

Answer 3

if you are that concerned then do not go, the fewer  amount of people who go the less amount of dammage and traffic through there to ruin the area.

Answer 4

There's a new line of outboards called 'torqueedos' that are electric (http://www.torqeedo.com/en/hn/products.h... Depending on the model, they probably have more than enough power and range for the canoes in the picture.

Of course, it adds a level of complexity because you need to be able to recharge the batteries. To keep it environmentally friendly, you could go solar or wind, but most likely you'd have to use a generator. If they are already using generators in the villages for power, then no problem, otherwise, you are still leaving a carbon footprint (albeit better than 200 outboards running around). Also, the torqueedos aren't cheap, especially in comparison to a 4stroke or 2stroke engine. The picture you provided seems to indicate somewhere between 9 and 25 hp, and none of the electric drives will be comparable to that.

The next best thing would be a 4-stroke engine. They have a decent amount of power, are very efficient, and *can* have low emissions. I have a honda 4stroke that I like very much and it sips fuel. They also tend to require less working knowledge than a 2stroke because you don't have to mix oil in the gas. 2-strokes are the worst polluters and should be avoided no matter where you are (in my opinion).