Click for JetForums Click for Westport Click for Westport Click for Perko Click for YF Listing Service

Isotta Fraschini anyone?

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by ttkrule, Jul 18, 2013.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. ttkrule

    ttkrule Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2012
    Messages:
    49
    Location:
    Italy
    Hi,
    Does anyone have experience or know of Isotta Fraschini diesel engines or generators on motor yachts?
    I recall reading them having a high power to weight ratio. Thanks.
  2. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2005
    Messages:
    7,388
    Location:
    My Office
    Hi,

    I recall them having a reputation for un reliability , high cost to fix and difficulty in getting anything done to or for them away from home base.
  3. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,649
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    I'm having a hard time figuring out how to pronounce the name.
    I don't know a thing, but fill us in. Big HP, Large cube? fuel? Age? Current? On what boats?
    O K, I got carried aweigh a bit. But give me something to Goggle with.
    ,rc
  4. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2007
    Messages:
    2,937
    Location:
    Guernsey/Antigua
  5. Ju52

    Ju52 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2006
    Messages:
    148
    Location:
    Frankfurt
  6. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2005
    Messages:
    7,388
    Location:
    My Office
    Hi,

    I sailed briefly with Dag Pike who is or was a very well known ocean navigator/racer and was in VAC II when it set the record.

    He was all set for another go but was repeatedly let down by these engines
  7. ttkrule

    ttkrule Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2012
    Messages:
    49
    Location:
    Italy
    As explained in this video (Italian) Isotta Fraschini Motori - YouTube Isotta Fraschini makes specialty diesel engines in small production runs based on particular requirements.

    Aside from boat racing they also equip the Horizon class frigates and the US Navy's LCS. An amagnetic type is installed on a number of minehunting ship classes.
  8. Old Phart

    Old Phart Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2011
    Messages:
    1,332
    Location:
    I dunno
    Is your Thread asking or explaining (promotional) about Isotta Fraschini diesel engines or generators on motor yachts? :rolleyes:
  9. ttkrule

    ttkrule Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2012
    Messages:
    49
    Location:
    Italy
    Mmmh... why haven't I thought of that! ...Yacht building guy doesn't know engines can be custom made, doesn't know company been doing it for over half a century, reads the post... Based on that, spends millions to have a custom line of engines developed and somehow somebody graciously hands me a few €gs. Sounds like a plan. :)
    One I wouldn't have thought of not even if drunk.

    My question is the one in the opening post.
  10. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2007
    Messages:
    2,937
    Location:
    Guernsey/Antigua
    Hi mate,

    The opening question was 'Have you got experience' of one. The answer is Yes. While getting shelled in Yugoslavia, they were a handy Exit from the Navy as a back-up.

    While doing a bit of Racing, they were also a piece of turd. No one was happy with them.

    As K1W1 said, I've known Dag for a number of years. He's not a big fan.

    The Italian economy pays for all this.

    Go Think!
  11. ttkrule

    ttkrule Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2012
    Messages:
    49
    Location:
    Italy
    I'm not commenting your anecdotes except for noting that racing engines have all safety factors reduced in order to express high performance for the short period when needed. For the same reason they need to be carefully matched to the boat (to the operating conditions).
    Formula one engines, for example, have to be rebuilt after every race; sometimes they won't even make it through a single race and yet they are rightly considered marvels of engineering requiring very advanced expertise.

    The point however is not that. The point is that even though you don't have anything to contribute, about custom IF engines on yachts, you post to gratuitously and vulgarly denigrate the work of hundreds and, barely masked, an entire country.

    You must have double my age and you should know better than that, but why don't you limit your bitter, vulgar ramblings to the privacy of your home.
    In the end you're just embarrassing yourself and compromising the credibility of the host that let's you do it.
  12. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2005
    Messages:
    7,388
    Location:
    My Office
    Hi,

    TTKRULE, the last time you posted a question concerning the thoughts and experiences with an Italian shipbuilder you got quite a head of steam when not everyone was found to be wearing your rose tinted spectacles while enjoying a warm stream of smoke being blown up their sterntube.

    If you are going to post a question on a forum open to several thousand members you cannot expect everyone to have the same opinion as to you concerning the viability of what it is you are asking about.

    The fact that these engines have not made it to main stream yachting in any substantial way should speak volumes for itself.

    If you are looking to buy the company or invest heavily in it due your due diligence well by asking those who have the ability to use these engines- the builders themselves.