According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “Of nonroad sources, EPA has determined that gasoline marine engines are one of the largest average contributors of hydrocarbon (HC) emissions. Of all categories of nonroad engines, recreational marine engines contribute the second highest average level of HC exhaust emissions. Only small gasoline engines used in lawn and garden equipment emit higher levels on average.”

Nonroad sources as a whole on average contribute 10% to average HC inventories. HC contributes to ground level ozone, which is known to cause irritation to the respiratory system. Controlling emissions from these engines will help reduce adverse health and welfare impacts associated with ozone.

Working cooperatively with the marine industry, the EPA is issuing regulations that will bring forth a new generation of marine engines featuring cleaner technology and providing better engine performance to boat owners. Controlling exhaust emissions from new gasoline spark-ignition (SI) marine engines will result in an unprecedented 75% reduction in HC emissions from these engines by the year 2025.

Powerboats measure fuel consumption in terms of gallons per hour not miles per gallon. Power boats consume fuel at a much greater rate than motor vehicles partly because of the resistance of the water on the hull and propeller(s) and partly because they tend to run at higher RPM for longer periods of time.

Using the GIHS 5.3 liter V8 engine as an example, in the Chevy Silverado the company is able to attain 128% increase in fuel economy and a 58% increase in Horsepower. In marine applications improvement in fuel economy will not be quite as dramatic but the company expects the GIHS equipped power boat will have double the cruising range while being able to cruise at higher speeds due to the increase in horsepower while achieving the EPA’s goal of reducing harmful hydrocarbon emissions.

For those enthusiasts who buy boats to go fast as is the case for off-shore racers, one can well imagine the performance of a speed boat equipped with twin GIHS Corvette engines putting out 775 HP each.

Neohydro is excited to begin talking to boat manufacturers as they attempt to comply with the new regulations being set by the EPA. The development of the diesel version of the GIHS is particularly exciting since a great number of watercraft are diesel powered including larger pleasure watercraft and commercial watercraft such as fishing boats.