Boat propulsion

Article By:

Woodward, John B., III Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Morabito, Michael G. Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering, School of Engineering and Science, Stevens Institute, Hoboken, New Jersey.

Last reviewed:November 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.088700

The action of propelling a boat through water. Propulsion methods include sails, oars, or a machinery plant. A boat machinery plant consists principally of a propulsion engine, propulsor (propeller or jet pump), and drive-line components. Steam engines were used in most boats until the turn of the twentieth century; however, the engines used today are almost exclusively of the familiar internal-combustion types: gasoline, diesel, or gas turbines, which have significantly less weight for a given power than steam propulsion plants. The gasoline engine has traditionally dominated the pleasure-boat field, while the diesel is favored for commercial and military craft. The gas turbine is comparatively rare and is found only in applications where high power from machinery of small weight and volume is essential. Electric propulsion for boats has seen limited application. See also: Propeller (marine craft)

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