Servicing the engine

The engine on "Taka Maru" is a 12hp Coventry Victor 4-stroke that runs on petrol. It has two horizontally-opposed cyclinders, so its centre of gravity is low in the boat. On the other hand, petrol is a greater fire risk, and the ignition system is much more prone to the effects of salt water than a diesel engine would be.

The original engine had a magneto firing system with a charging dynamo, which the previous owner (a mechanical engineer) replaced with a conventional contact-breaker and motor car alternator.

The engine had been carefully "winterised" with antifreeze in the cooling system. At the present time, all we know is that it can be turned over easily with the auxiliary starting handle.