Volga Hydrofoils Messageboard

Hey everybody,

I would like to know what the weight is of my Volga Casco. I have read the German test rapport, and they say that the Volga with original engine wais 1500 kg. Anyone an idea about the weight without engine? In the papers from the old owner is registered 800 kg, but I think that's a guess. I have found a boat trailer builder and he will make a trailer. It will be quite a challenge to make one that is suitable for the Volga. I have seen that other owners transported their Volga on a boat trailer, but has anyone got experience with getting it in the water without a crane, and just by driving the trailer in the water?

At this moment, I’m preparing the engine. I had a 5.7 liter v8, gasoline engine, but I wanted a diesel. Now I have a 170 hp Mercedes om 603 engine. It is a 3 liter 6 cylinder turbo diesel. I think it would be perfect for my Volga.


Greetings and thanks!

Congratulations for your engine. This one looks to me like car or lorry engine which still has to be marinized. I hope you really know what this means?

a.) Seawater cooling pump has to be driven by crankshaft via belt drive.
b.) Seawater cooler for cooling fresh water loop (also cooling the exhaust manifolt).
c.) Oil cooler (also cooled via sea water or fresh water)
d.) Exhaust manifolt
e.) exhaust pipes cooled by injecting seawater)
f.) Gearbox seawater cooler to be cooled by remaining seawater
g.) seawater passing the gearbox cooler to be injected in the sterntube seals and bearings.

This may all sound simple but you will hardly find anyone to supply you most of this stuff and this custom made.
Don't forget: The materials to be used are marine bronze or CuNiFe (CopperNickelSteel).

If you are clever you will not through away anything original left from your old engine as you will end up looking in vain for something adequate around. Sorry for being so blunt, even with the original equipment in my hands it took me months to have them overhauled ... and who knows how good this has been ...

Be careful, we are walking on very thin ice once we go out with our equipment adventures. Our boat is out of aluminium and acting like a battery. To much copper in the system and you are like a generator. Stainless steel will not resist and also creates problems.

Keep an eye on the anodes and that you use the correct material ...

best regards

Hi Georg,

Thanks for your advice. Actually, (I think) I know what I’m doing. Actually, this is not my fist aluminum boat. But you are absolutely right: Working with aluminum boats is quite tricky. I will use normal steel or aluminum. I have a marine bronze water cooler, and that will be the only big bronze instrument that I will use. I will replace all the anodes, just to make sure. What do you think is the best anode material to use?
The engine is indeed a car engine (Mercedes G type Mercedes jeep). I have almost the same engine in another boat, so I know how it should be rebuilt. I’m doing it together with a professional boat engine builder. For this model engine, there are standard products to rebuilt the engine like clutch house, water pump, etc. In fact, I have everything complete now. The engine will be putted in by a professional. It is to tricky to do that yourself with this kind of boat, measurements, power etc.

Even so, I think I will consult other Volga lovers during the process! About the weight: have you got any idea? Your boat is exactly the same one as my boat.
Best regards,

Daan