Talk of the Dock
By Zuzana Prochazka
9.9 hp Propane Outboard by Lehr
Ah, the outboard – a necessary but often maligned piece of equipment that, throughout the years, has been responsible for stinky air, scraped knuckles and sheens of spilt gasoline floating on the water. Those days may be in the past however, since now there are other options to power your tender. Lehr has just introduced the third model in their award-winning propane outboard line. This engine has 9.9 horsepower, an electric start and the option for remote steering – in other words, you can put it on a center console dinghy with a wheel. The new motor comes with a 15” or 20” shaft and weighs in at just under 88 pounds which is five pounds heavier than a comparable gas engine. Unlike its 2.5 and 5 hp siblings, the new 212 cc four-stroke motor is powered by a 10 or 20-pound propane tank that you put in the dink, not a onepound camping stove bottle that you plug directly into the engine. It can be a typical metal tank like you use for cooking aboard, or one of Lehr’s composite models that are ideal for the marine environment.
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With this bigger engine, Lehr now makes sense for a broader segment of the tender market that requires more power. The 9.9 burns approximately a gallon of propane per hour at wide open throttle (4,600 rpm) or about .44 gallons per hour (3,000 rpm). Depending on the size of the tank, your speed, and the sea and wind conditions, you’ll be able to run from five to 14 hours per tank. Propane is cheaper than gas, burns cleaner, and doesn’t produce any emissions whether into the air or water. The patented fuel-metering system replaces the carburetor or fuel injection on gas-powered outboards. With Lehr’s pressurized system and no choke, starting is easier regardless of temperature. There are also no worries over winterizing, or storing your outboard when old fuel gums up the carburetor. Depending on shaft length and options (with/ without electric start and tiller/remote steering) the price ranges from $2,600 to approximately $3,600 which varies by retailer. For more information, visit goleher.com.
Cruising 4/30/13 2:17 PM
