Rotary for Marine power?

Question

What are your ideas, feelings on rotary (wankel) engines for marine use? I know in the 70's OMC played around with rotary power, also for sleds. I don't think the technology was available then, what about now. Lets here from the experts, please.

Answer 1

Ive been wanting to do it for a while a couple of things i thought about was rotarys dont like heavy load so youd have to use a small prop which means good down low not much up at high speeds. also if you wanna take it in the sea rotors are 90% alloy which means they corrode  easy so the motor prolly wont last long also i wouldnt be pumping lake water through it the motor might run to cold which means the apex seals wont expand properly and you may blow them easily so youd have to mount a radiator some where. if you were goin a twin turbo 20b or something and dont mind pouring money into it all the time go for it i could see it clocking 90mph if its set up right

Answer 2

Looks like you asked and answered you own question.

Answer 3

Check out this one, Mazda, 3 rotary Wankel turbo`ed

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=vi_zm0OAJw...

Answer 4

good idea go for it

Answer 5

A company called Rota Max offers these motors today.  They look pretty crude, but they run good with a surface drive prop.

Here is their web site.  Click on "Marine". at lower left to see it.

http://www.rotamax.net/

Here is some history info too.

http://www.rotamax.net/history_if.html

Here's a YouTube link with videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFm6bQhX4...

Additional note 6/18/08:

I said it was crude,  but my main point  that I forgot to mention is that Rota Max acquired the rights to the Wankel engine -  If anyone wants to develop a newer sleeker outboard motor it will have a Rota Max powerhead..