Marine power continues to change boats and boatbuilding. In this blog today we just want to list of some of the best marine diesel engines from top manufacturers. When talking about these diesel engines, there are a few brands which come straight to mind – CAT, MAN, MTU, Volvo Penta and Cummins. Here below you can find more information about these so broadly used brands which have created revolutionary products helping the development of our industry.
Today’s modern sport-fishers are capable of incredible performance despite their ever-increasing sizes, thanks to critical advances in marine diesel technology. Tom Spencer
Caterpillar has started delivering its new C8.7, an in-line six-cylinder package that replaces the C9. With a new common-rail fuel-injection system and air system, the C8.7 produces 650 hp at 2,300 rpm, and it weighs 2,295 pounds dry. The new fuel system uses a radial belt-driven supercharger along with standard turbochargers to get the boat up to speed without lagging prior to the turbocharger engaging. Once up to speed, the turbo takes over to provide boost, and an electromagnetic clutch disengages the supercharger.
This redesign eliminates smoke and offers notable low-end torque and fuel economy while being EPA Tier 3 compliant. Obviously well suited to conventional drives, the C8.7 is also meant to pair up seamlessly to the recently introduced Caterpillar pod propulsion systems. The C8.7 is also compatible with existing CAT controls and displays.
SpecificationsHorsepower: 650 RPM: 2300 Dry Weight (lbs): 2295 Displacement: 531 cu in / 8.7 liters
The new Cummins Quantum Series QSB 6.7 at 550 hp is the most popular output for this block in the recreational sport-fishing market. Based on an in-line six-cylinder block with a new 24-valve cylinder head, the folks at Cummins have also focused on noise and have netted an 80 percent reduction at idle from engineering changes in their high-pressure common-rail fuel system. This also plays a huge part in the elimination of smoke. Walker AirSep air filters now come standard and are also engineered to reduce noise at the air intake to the turbos. With a dry weight of 1,450 pounds, the QSB 6.7 is a Tier 3 compliant power plant able to fit many applications.
SpecificationsHorsepower: 550 RPM: 3300 Dry Weight (lbs): 1450 Displacement: 408.1 cu in / 6.7 liters
With the need for compact, space-saving engines, boatbuilders and refit specialists alike have welcomed new slim in-line six-cylinder engines from MAN, with horsepower outputs of 730 hp and 800 hp at 2,300 rpm. With a common-rail fuel system producing power for maximum torque in the 1,200‑rpm range, the R6-730 offers 730 hp for rapid acceleration from low revolutions per minute engine speeds. At roughly 2,870 pounds, the R6‑730 offers a compelling horsepower-to-weight ratio for re-powers and new builds alike. Through proven optimization of the internal combustion system, the R6-730 does not need an external after treatment system to achieve Tier 3 emission compliance.
SpecificationsHorsepower: 730 or 800 RPM: 2300 Dry Weight (lbs): 2870 Displacement: 786 cu in / 12.8 liters
The new 16V 2000 M96 from MTU has also started delivering, and our guess is we will be seeing a lot of these in larger sport-fishing packages. A 16-cylinder V engine producing 2,600 hp at 2,300 rpm, the M96 features a new fuel-injection system, in addition to three sequential turbochargers for better acceleration and fuel economy. The company’s SCR in-engine exhaust-gas treatment reduces emissions and makes the M96 EPA and IMO Tier 3 compliant. Electronically controlled, the M96 is a smokeless, quiet power package with reduced vibration. With the recent launch of the 92 Viking, performance characteristics of the 2,600 hp M96 are certainly noteworthy, with the enclosed bridge model reaching a top-end speed of 36 knots.
SpecificationsHorsepower: 2600 RPM: 2300 Dry weight: 7474 Displacement: 2179 cu in / 35.7 liters
MTU also has a 12V 2000 M96 option that meets Tier 3 standards.
With 900 hp packed into it, the Volvo D13-900 is an in-line six that can be used as a conventional drive package or in conjunction with an IPS pod-drive power plant as we have seen for larger sport-fishing boat applications. With over 17,000 IPS systems on the water, Volvo has undeniably made an impact in the marine market with this technology. Weighing in at 3,439 pounds, the D-13 features a robust block with ladder-frame construction, high-pressure unit injection and twin turbochargers combined with charge-air coolers. Engine management from Volvo’s electronic control system combines low fuel consumption and emissions with reduced vibration and noise, and it exceeds Tier 3 standards.
SpecificationsHorsepower: 900 RPM: 2300 Dry Weight(lbs): 3439 Displacement: 780 cu in / 12.8 liters