From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Containing extracts from a letter discussing the market for marine engines.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 133\3\ scan0094 | |
| Date | 11th January 1940 | |
| To:- Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 1125 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AA.{D. Abbot-Anderson}1/DK.11.1.40. Marine Engines. I give below extracts from a letter I have received from a Director - incidentally a RR owner - of a yacht yard in the south, that turns out probably more smallish craft a year than any other manufacturer in the British Isles, with the possible exception of Silvers in Scotland. " Petrol engines of the power you mention should meet a good demand - there is no outstanding make on the market. Gardiners, Thornycroft and Parsons share the market. Many yachtsmen consider these on the heavy side and in some instances definitely old fashioned in design, if otherwise excellent. The market for these engines would be the 35/50 ft motor cruiser. Craft such as these cost from say - £1,200 to £4,000. When the building owner wants petrol power the cost should not be a prohibitive percentage of the whole. Many yachtsmen of experience lean to Diesel, but for the average "week-end to fortnight" man, oil is a real luxury. I think that the man who regularly does coastal cruises or goes foreign is very much in the minority. A great many yachtsmen average a lot under 100 hours running in the season, in fact this figure is definitely on the high side. A "private" marine engine does not wear out, it rusts out. As far as export trade is concerned, I think manufacturers would tell you that they find it easier to sell Diesel engines abroad - rather than petrol. Taking export costs into consideration there is an enormous difference in the price of English engines as compared with Gray, Chrysler, Kermath etc., Our Diesels are undoubtedly popular abroad, particularly in the Colonies. Returning to home requirements, it is difficult to estimate the demand for the petrol unit from the Services. The power is on the low side for boats of the British Power Boat Co. type, but I should imagine you could well 'engine' the smallish fast tender. | ||