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The speed and development of engineering over the past few centuries have been truly staggering. Technological advancements have had a major impact on the motorboat industry, which has seen phenomenal changes since its original invention more than 130-years ago.
Although the journey to the modern motorboat arguably begins with the invention of the steamboat in 1787, the first true motorboat as we know it today did not materialise until nearly 100-years later.
Here, we run through some of the significant developments in the evolution of the great motorboat.
German Beginnings
Historians date the very first motorboat as far back as 1886, crediting engineer Gottlieb Daimler and shipbuilder Friedrich Lürssen, both German, as its commissioner and creator. This vessel, named Rems, boasted a combustion engine with a cylinder capacity volume of 0.462 litres, an output of 1.5hp at 700rpm, and weighed 60kg. When Daimler attempted the first test of this motorboat on the River Neckar in Germany, locals reportedly put a stop to the launch as they feared it was far too dangerous.
The development of the motorboat helped give rise to Lürssen Yachts, which became one of the most prominent motorboat builders in Germany – and still are to this day.
Development of the Compression Engine
By 1903, there had been significant developments in motorboat technology. Rudolf Diesel, another German inventor, and mechanical engineer helped create a four-stroke, single vertical compression diesel engine with 25hp. This was an almost immediate commercial success, with people lining up to get one for themselves.
Outboard Motor is Born
1907 saw the creation of the first commercially successful outboard motor thanks to Norwegian-American inventor Ole Evinrude. This design, which used a vertical crankshaft, bevel gears, and a horizontal flywheel, is still largely similar to the outboard motor engines seen today. The only significant difference, however, is that this revolutionary new outboard engine hit a heady 1.5hp.
In the early 1900s, as motorboats began to rise in popularity, a speedboat trend emerged across North America and Europe, particularly in Monaco, France. As engines gradually became more powerful, so did the desire to race and quench that need for speed.
The First Fibreglass Boat
As global engineering continued to progress throughout the 20th century, new materials for construction were being developed and adopted by a variety of industries. One significant advancement in the motorboat industry in the 1940s and 1950s was the introduction of fiberglass as use for constructing vessels. This modern material was completely watertight and, because of its structural qualities, allowed boat builders to create a whole series of identical vessels. Although this did some damage to the commercial wood shipbuilding industry, which catered for a more bespoke yacht buying market, the traditional form still survives today.
Speed and Stability of Waterjet Propulsion
Come the mid-20th century, the world of motorboating saw the introduction of the first waterjet propulsion system, thanks to a New Zealand engineer named William Hamilton. Although widely regarded as its creator, Hamilton is quoted as modestly denying credit, having reportedly said, “I do not claim to have invented marine jet propulsion. The honour belongs to a gentleman named Archimedes, who lived some years ago.”
This first waterjet propulsion system, introduced in 1954, was constructed with a vertical-shaft centrifugal unit that was driven through a right-angled gearbox. The design used a powerful jet of water, rather than a propeller, to move and steer. The technology, which has completely revolutionised motorboating, provided added speed and unrivaled directional stability to powerboats.
Development of the V-Shaped Hull
As motorboat engine technology continued to develop, so did the design of the vessels themselves. Arguably the most important advancement in the history of motorboats is the movement towards the deep V-shaped hull, an idea conceived by sailor and innovator Charles Raymond Hunt in the early 1960s.
The deadrise design allows the vessel to cut through rough water safely and comfortably. It is a testament to his genius that this original V hull design, despite decades of attempts by others to produce a more innovative hull, is still considered the ultimate hull form to this day.
The evolution of marine technology continues
Moving forward into the modern day and things have evolved considerably since that first motorboat engine developed in Germany more than 125-years prior. Now, we see luxury vessels and yachts gliding through waters worldwide, roared on by state-of-the-art engines that would astonish its 19th century German inventors.
Engineering and technological developments have seen engine power and efficiency improve beyond the comprehension of the original inventors and those fearful locals in the 1880s. Now, a new generation of marine propulsion has entered the market. The 300hp diesel outboard, the CXO300, has been designed and developed from a blank sheet to provide the convenience and ease of maintenance of an outboard whilst providing the power, torque, and fuel efficiency of an inboard.
This outboard is made up of a 4.4 litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine and hits 300hp at the propeller and 338hp crankshaft power – a slightly improved performance on its 1907 counterpart.
The advancements in motorboat engine technology and structural engineering have brought the industry to where it is today, a global symbol of revolutionary engineering.
