The Universal Atomic 4 is a four-cylinder, gasoline engine produced by the Universal Motor Company between 1949 and 1984 for use as auxiliary power on

sailboats A sailboat or sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails and is smaller than a sailing ship. Distinctions in what constitutes a sailing boat and ship vary by region and maritime culture. Types Although sailboat terminology ...

. Both and versions of the engine were produced. Over 40,000 of the engines were produced during that time, with an estimated 20,000 still in use today. The Universal Atomic 4 was very popular in C&C, Whitby Boatworks, Northern,

Catalina Yachts Catalina Yachts is a U.S.-based builder of fiberglass monohull sloop-rigged sailboats ranging in sizes from eight to 54 feet in length. It was founded in 1969 in Hollywood, California by Frank Butler . Catalina Yachts is one of the largest boat m ...

and

Pearson Yachts Pearson Yachts was a sailboat manufacturer founded by Everett Pearson and Clinton Pearson in 1956. One of the first fiberglass sailboat manufacturers, they grew rapidly during the 60s and 70s, while also developing and designing new boats. Howe ...

sailboats, up through 1985. Starting in the early 1970s the brand

Yanmar is a Japanese diesel engine, heavy machinery and agricultural machinery manufacturer founded in Osaka, Japan in 1912. Yanmar manufactures and sells engines used in a wide range of applications, including seagoing vessels, pleasure boats, cons ...

became very popular as an auxiliary power diesel engine for sailboats, in response Universal began offering a marinized version of a Kubota diesel (tractor) engine in 1976, which was popular with sailboat manufacturers, in particular Catalina. As Yanmar diesel engines continued to gain in popularity, the Universal Atomic Four gasoline engines continued to lose market share rapidly. By 1989 Yanmar had eclipsed Universal in the diesel auxiliary market with 45% market share to 42% for Universal.

History and Lineage

The Atomic 4 is descended from an earlier Universal Motor Company design called the Utility Four, which was used extensively in

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

by the United States Navy and allies to power lifeboats. The Utility Four was replaced by the Atomic 4 in 1947.

History and Lineage

Applications

Specifications

References

External links