Paul, I know my timing on this is poor; you have been
pulling the group back on focus only recently.



           As a child in the 1950s, I used to ride my bike with a
friend 12 miles to an airport.  There being no security, we spent the
day in and around the private and small business planes.  Knowing we
were in a seriously adult part of the world, we were careful to disturb
nothing; mostly it was just fuel for our imaginations.  We also wondered
around the apron near DC 3s and other, four-engined commercial flights.
The ground attendants only made sure that we stood clear and did not
look into the prop wash.  Our shirts would stand out like hurricane
warning flags.



           All these years later, I find myself doing something
similar.  I discovered Rotary Engine while researching a 13B adaptation
for use in a boat.  All the qualities that are so appealing for aircraft
apply to watercraft, and this group has such high level of competence
and experience I was grateful to get on your list.



           I would rather be constructing an aircraft, but finances and
a business need for the boat take precedence.   The dream is still
there; I would kill for a window seat when on a commercial flight and I
arrive with a stiff neck from straining to see everything in the sky.
How could anyone sleep or read a magazine?



           I don’t think of it as magic, but it is certainly magical to
watch a machine lift itself into the sky with cleverly curved air.  I
always feel a longing, the way that people once talked about distant
train whistles.



           As I have said, I know I am among fliers not sailors, and if
this message is not posted, it will be no more than I was promised.
But I am approaching desperation.  I have seen it said here that a
rebuild able engine might be found for around $200.  All the contacts I
have made are with retail used-parts outlets that clearly think there is
still a car attached to the engine.  I’m stuck.



           Any suggestions on how I might shift my search for better
results would be greatly appreciated.  There may even be a surplus
engine in the back of someone’s hanger.  My needs are not as exacting as
yours; I haven’t far to fall.



           Since there is a keen sense of curiosity evident in your
mail, I would add a brief description of my craft before returning to a
more polite silence.  It is 10.5 ft. long and 6 ft. wide.  Licensed as a
tugboat, it looks more like a skiff, but is stoutly constructed from
aluminum.  Although pump drives are inefficient, shallow draft and
floating debris interfere with alternatives.  The drive is direct and
continuous.  Reverse and idle are no more that the position of a cup
over the outlet.  Coolant is abundantly available from a tap on the
drive pump itself.



           You’ll not notice me down there, but I’ll be watching with
admiration.  Thanks for the invaluable information--and the lifted spirits.



~ Grant

johnsongranttani@qwest.net <mailto:johnsongranttani@qwest.net>

(Portland, Oregon)


Check out this 120 MPH rotary powered boat. You will need DSL.

http://www.rotaryeng.net/boatvideo.wmv


Paul Lamar

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