I am planning to build the 15'10" inboard motor launch "Victor Slocum"....plans call for the 6 hp Palmer "Baby Huskie" which is long extinct. My initial thought was the 12 hp Westerbeke 12C-TWO 2-cyl. 12 hp diesel. I also have quotes for the Farymann 18W 1-cyl. (7 hp) , Yanmar 1GM10 1-cyl. (8 hp), Yanmar 2-cyl. 2YM-15 (12.8 hp), and Lombardini LDW502M 2-cyl. (13 hp). I also have a quote for the so-called "Mudboat engine" which is an air-cooled Robin/Subaru 18 hp gasoline V-Twin mated to a Technodrive marine transmission sold through M. & L. Engine Co. located in Houma, Louisiana.

I had been told the 2-cylinder diesel engines were MUCH quieter and smoother than the singles.....is this really the case? I would like to hear comments from anyone on any of these engines with regard to dependability and especially to the application I am planning. The Robin/Subaru has flame arrestor, etc. for marine use and is about half the price of the 2-cylinder diesels but I am somewhat reluctant to use it because of the fire hazard and the fact that it has 3 times the original plan-specified power. I have also learned that Yanmar requires a "sea trial" sort of inspection procedure of the engine/transmission assembly in the finished boat IN THE WATER before they will set up the warranty. I am wondering if this is really Yanmar's policy or is this the Yanmar distributor's policy....anyone heard of this on any of these other engines or other distributors?