Ruston & Hornsby single cylinder

[casper ghost]

Hello. I have a 43 ft boat with a Sabb 10hp single cylinder. I've been offered a Ruston & Hornsby single cylinder which i'm thinking of swapping for my Sabb. Not sure of Ruston's age, but it's obviously very old. Think it's also 10 hp.

 

I hope to extend my boat to about 55 ft in a couple of years and wondered would the Ruston be better to power a longer boat as my Sabb is fairly slow with the current length.

 

I currently have an 18 x 14 prop for my Sabb, any ideas what size the Ruston would like?

 

Thanks

[Proper Job]

Hello. I have a 43 ft boat with a Sabb 10hp single cylinder. I've been offered a Ruston & Hornsby single cylinder which i'm thinking of swapping for my Sabb. Not sure of Ruston's age, but it's obviously very old. Think it's also 10 hp.

 

I hope to extend my boat to about 55 ft in a couple of years and wondered would the Ruston be better to power a longer boat as my Sabb is fairly slow with the current length.

 

I currently have an 18 x 14 prop for my Sabb, any ideas what size the Ruston would like?

 

Thanks

Ruston built a number of single cylinder diesels - they varied in hp from about 7 to 12hp. IIRC they all ran at around 1500 rpm.

 

There will be some on the forum that will tell you that you will be vastly underpowered with such an engine. Yes, it will have to work hard, but diesels like to be worked hard.

 

For canal use, with occasional (non flood) river use it would be adequate.

 

As for the prop set up - what is the rpm rating of your Sabb? The key thing will be the hp/rpm to ascertain the torque of the engine and the the reduction gearbox ratio to the propshaft. Getting it right is more critical with small engines than with the big boys. They can afford some margins of error. You will need to get it all matched as efficiently as possible.

Edited February 27, 2009 by Proper Job

[casper ghost]

Hi. On the engine plate it reads- size 1. class VTO . no 227021 .

 

I don't know the hp and i couln't find a site on the net to quote the details.

 

My Sabb has max 1800 rpm, though it never revs that high in practice.

 

I've also been offered a prop which is 18x19, it didn't come from this engine but it'll fit on my boat without the need to drop the skeg.

 

Any one any suggestions for me.

 

Thanks.

[Liam]

I've got a 10hp Sabb in my boat (well sort of my boat, as I've taken a deposit on it..) Anyway, the 30ft narrowboat with a 16 x 14 prop on the end of the Sabb and it goes like the proverbial off the shovel.

 

I can't see how this helps you though.

[carlt]

In my book it quotes the "size one, class VTO" as being 5hp.

 

These Ruston pages date it at 1936 - 1944:

 

clicky

[casper ghost]

In my book it quotes the "size one, class VTO" as being 5hp.

 

Oh... a 5hp won't push my boat. Just as well i'm only thinking about it, no money changed hands yet..

[carlt]

Oh... a 5hp won't push my boat.

True, but think how nice it would sound!

[billh]

True, but think how nice it would sound!

 

The Ruston VTO and VTH are the smallest Rustons from the 1930's . They are very strong robust units that sound like a boat engine should. I have yet to see an old Ruston that doesn't smoke badly in a boat , usually because they aren't worked hard enough. We have a 2VTO in a loco, 11/13 HP and the sound is to die for ( praise indeed from a lifelong Kelvin fan!) . It might be worth looking for a 1VSO, about 9HP ,looks the same but bigger all round- can be found in old Jones KL22 cranes in scrapyards etc. Another make worth considering is the Ailsa Craig diesel- RF1 is about 10hp at 1000rpm

Bill

[casper ghost]

Well, this isn't quite the response I had hoped. I hoped it would be a 10 hp, it's certainly a big lump and sounds great but 5 hp is not much use.

 

I'll have to stick with my Sabb, that sounds good too.

[sociable_hermit]

How big is your engine bay? Run the bigger of the two for the prop and the other for auxillaries!

[Proper Job]

In the light of the fact that the Ruston is a VTO - stick with the Sabb. They're good engines

 

You can spend a while then looking for a larger engine for when you are ready to stretch the boat.

 

Your probably better off going for a twin. There are some nice units out there. One of my particular favourites is the Petter PH2W.

 

If you could find a Alsia Craig RF2 (20hp @ 1000rpm) that would be another nice engine.

[billh]

In the light of the fact that the Ruston is a VTO - stick with the Sabb. They're good engines

 

You can spend a while then looking for a larger engine for when you are ready to stretch the boat.

 

Your probably better off going for a twin. There are some nice units out there. One of my particular favourites is the Petter PH2W.

 

If you could find a Alsia Craig RF2 (20hp @ 1000rpm) that would be another nice engine.

 

 

I think the RF2 would be too powerful for a 40ft boat , the single is a better bet. These have heavy flywheels and loads of torque. If you really want to go on a power trip , I have 3 derelict RFR4s ( 40 HP 1000rpm ) marine engines with reverse/ reduction gearboxes, possible to make 1 good one out of 3. The prop would need to be about 30inch diameter:-).

I have used RF2s ( not in boats) for about 30 years on and off, they are a delight to work on and almost unbreakable.

Bill

[mrsmelly]

In the light of the fact that the Ruston is a VTO - stick with the Sabb. They're good engines

 

You can spend a while then looking for a larger engine for when you are ready to stretch the boat.

 

Your probably better off going for a twin. There are some nice units out there. One of my particular favourites is the Petter PH2W.

 

If you could find a Alsia Craig RF2 (20hp @ 1000rpm) that would be another nice engine.

 

Or a nice Beta 1903.....

[Liam]

If the Single Sabb doesn't have the power once you stretch your boat then the Twin Sabb should be fine as I know it has been fitted into other 60ft boats without any problems.

[sansouci]

Oh... a 5hp won't push my boat. Just as well i'm only thinking about it, no money changed hands yet..

I fitted a 2VTH in a 60 footer and it runs well with a 22x18 prop on a 2:1 PRM 260 gearbox. The 1VTO is the smaller engine in the range. I have one. I think you will struggle on the river and the prop would have to be considerable smaller. If you have the space go for a Ruston twin, you will not be disappointed with the performance, reliability and sound. Perhaps a 1VSO which is the big brother would be more suitable if you haven't the space for a twin.

 

Good Luck

[casper ghost]

I fitted a 2VTH in a 60 footer and it runs well with a 22x18 prop on a 2:1 PRM 260 gearbox. The 1VTO is the smaller engine in the range. I have one. I think you will struggle on the river and the prop would have to be considerable smaller. If you have the space go for a Ruston twin, you will not be disappointed with the performance, reliability and sound. Perhaps a 1VSO which is the big brother would be more suitable if you haven't the space for a twin.

 

Good Luck

 

 

Thanks. As it happens i've just bought a Ruston 2VTH, i was wondering what size prop but you've answered that for me, though I would have to drop the skeg to fit one your size as i only have 21 inch draft! What is your engine like, any good for rivers, i've never gone on any with the little Sabb as not enough nerve or power.

 

Is the 2VTH a left hand or right hand rotation?

[Chris-B]

Or a nice Beta 1903.....

 

 

That's a mythical beast, sort of thing you tell you kids stories about

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COAT

[Liam]

though I would have to drop the skeg to fit one your size as i only have 21 inch draft!

 

All very well but you'll need to make sure you have sufficient room, between the top of the propellor and the uxter plate.

[casper ghost]

All very well but you'll need to make sure you have sufficient room, between the top of the propellor and the uxter plate.

 

Yes, i'll have to lower the sterntube as well. A fairly easy job. I can do it whilst i'm lengthening the boat.

[Proper Job]

Or a nice Beta 1903.....

1903? ....... That was a good year for Beta's. A fine Vintage to be taken with a little cheese

[Neil TNC]

Or a nice Beta 1903.....

 

That was a brave comment

[casper ghost]

OK, enough about the Beta 1903, i'm sure they're perfectly good but I like the sound of a proper engine.