Offshoreonly.com - Turbine Cata

Offshoreonly.com (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/)

- General Boating Discussion (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/general-boating-discussion-51/)

- - Turbine Cata (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/general-boating-discussion/307087-turbine-cata.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by n20michael (Post 4053564)

I had heard that turbines didn't like salt water either, I assume in a fresh water application they would last almost forever? I am located near the home base of "My Way" and ""Aqua mania" and have seen both repeatedly, the only drawback I have seen is they usually need more people around the dock to help with docking and exiting in close quarters, is that because of the turbines? Or because they are rudder boats? Or full canopy boats? I have no idea, and in all fairness, these aren't exactly "pleasure" boats either, they where purpose built to go fast and win races, or poker runs (yes, I know technically poker runs aren't races, but in the REAL word.....)

They last forever in coast guard helicopters that regularly ingest salt air/water. Also, they have a built in compressor wash that sprays fresh water into them while running with the push of a button. This is to flush the salt off the blades. Also, after you are done running for the day, you can take the hose and flush them out. Don't forget, a turbine has no water in it, just air for cooling.

As far as docking, I would say the turbines are easier to dock than a stalling, surging, carbed blower motor, but tougher than an EFI set-up. My-Way and Aqua Mania are prolly tough to dock because they are canopied, rudder boats.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orthobam (Post 4053538)

Would fit my style of boating.

Drop the lift. Run around the lake for an hour. Back on the lift. Repeat later in the day. 1 stop rarely at most at restaurant.

We take the cruiser to do recreational boating. We take the cat to hammer.

My only concern, depending where your located? Is the availability of fuel? Most marinas carry gas, some carry gas and diesel, but not sure how many carry Jet A?
I have been told it's a mixture of diesel and kerosene, if that's true then it would be reasonably cheap, compared to 116 race fuel at least?

I had heard that if they hover close to salt water for extended periods of time the can damage the helicopter motors? Again, I'm no expert, so I could easily be mistaken. I had no idea they had a fresh water flush system. I did think the way the intake system was done on the Statement 50ft cat was pretty clever, and apparantly does a great job of keeping salt water out of the motors

Quote:

Originally Posted by n20michael (Post 4053570)

Do turbine boats come with afterburners? Or are they just a steady, constant fuel burn?Also, does fuel usage increase the same way it does in a traditional engine? I just wondered since you said the turbine will burn 16 gallons a side at idle. Which seems like a lot of fuel, is the extra fuel needed to cool the turbine?

It's been awhile, but, if i remember correctly from my drag racing days it takes .6 pounds of fuel to make 1hp for 1 hour, I used this calculation when sizing fuel pumps, lines, regs,,etc,

Does the same theory apply to turbine applications as well?

Sorry, I'm just curious, and I have always wondered why more vehicles, not just boats, didn't utilize turbine power

No, they do not have afterburners, and yes the fuel flow will increase the same way it does on a traditional engine, but you have to remember that the turbines are idling at or slightly below 50% N1 speed (which is compressor speed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by n20michael (Post 4053573)

The turbines burn Kerosene, Diesel, #2 home heating oil, off road diesel, or Jet A. They're not picky.

302 Sport-

Was your 50ft turbine ever owned by someone up here in Canada? I seem to remember seeing it, or one similiar, in Western Canada (Manitoba, I think)

Oh, ok, that makes sense, thanks! I appreciate the info.

I had heard they will run on almost "anything"
Will they run on different fuels in the same configuration? In other words, can you fill the tank with diesel, burn it, then fill (or top up) with kerosene without making any mechanical changes?

Sorry, last question, I don't want to hijack the thread (-:

Quote:

Originally Posted by 302Sport (Post 4053578)

The turbines burn Kerosene, Diesel, #2 home heating oil, off road diesel, or Jet A. They're not picky.

I saw Canada Thrust fuel up at a Poker Run......they put gas in it, then diesel, then gas with the theory that the gasoline ignites the diesel and the gas burns clean. They also filled the other tanks with water to wash the salt off the blades! It seemed like a lot of work but when they left Daytona and crushed the whole pack all the way to St Augustine even doubling back to go see the pack again and still got to the fuel dock 15 minutes ahead of the next boat (46 Rough Ryder/1075's) it made the fuel calculation worth it! :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by n20michael (Post 4053582)

Yes, no changes are necessary.