I shall start with the most important element of a power cruiser...the engine...

Above are photos of our Gardner 5LW - 78 HP @ 1500 RPM. being rebuilt by Gary Bryant of Brisbane. This is a slow reving engine with a legendary reputation for reliability, economy & longevity. The Gearbox is a 5061A Twin Disc 2:1 reduction, 7 deg. down angle.

The propellor shaft will be 2 inches in diameter grade 2205 stainless steel for its improved corrosion resistance with higher water temperatures than 316. The propellor is Nibril metal.

The shoe & Rudder will be 2205 stainless steel. We have eliminated the use of 316 stainless steel in our running gear. Essentially we have no zinc anodes except for the propellor anode in the form of a backing nut on the end of the shaft. Also underwater fittings will not be bonded. Our advice has been that cathodic degradation of the timber hull due to the effects of electrolysis would be more dangerous for the boat than losing a fitting.

We are using a PSS seal to try to maintain a dry bilge. Sea water will be injected into the stern tube via a piped seawater inlet from the seawater manifold.

Engine mounts...at this stage we are considering solid mounting the engine to the engine bearers, but will be set up so we can retro fit flexible mounts if vibration is a problem.

Seawater intake is a dual system through 2 proper bronze flanged seacocks. 2 'Perko' bronze strainers feeding a manifold with 2 takeoffs for systems. eg. Engine, toilet, deckwash etc.

We are considering twin engine room blowers. Continuously rated at 24V - 7m3 (250 c/ft) each per minute. Blowers are drawing air through filtered air inlets as opposed to sucking air out.

Tankage - All tanks are constructed from 6mm mild steel plate. They have all been epoxy coated. Approx. tankage volumes - Diesel 1200 L (320 US gallons) in 2 tanks.....Water 1750 L (460 US gallons) in 4 tanks. Diesel tanks have been designed with a sump. Gauges will be via sight 'glass'. Diesel balance and supply lines are all 3/4 inch 'B copper' (Hard drawn ie. silversoldered)

1 Waste tank holding 350 L (100 US galons).

Fuel filters are dual Raco 500 MA in parallel which allow for on the fly filter changing if required.