20bhp 3 cylinder Beta Marine saildrive - Any good

[fastjedi]

What are the pros and cons of this engine? Does anyone have first hand experience. What are the weaknesses?

The three cylinder aspect appeals to me.
I guess there are few less dealers around if I need parts

Did I read somewhere that Nanni and Beta are marinised Kabuta's?

 

[Talbot]

marinised Kubota. Parts available all round the world from Kubota.

Beta are normally the engine that are recommended

 

[Pye_End]

Tadge on the large side for a Hunter Ranger 24?

 

[stevebirch2002]

Great engine but the 13.5 or 16HP will be more than enough for your 24' From your location they rae in teh same county, give them a call and visit teh factory. Beta are very helpful and will answer all questions. They are based at Tuffly in Gloucester. Cheers

 

[fastjedi]

I never said it was going in the Ranger ..... I am thinking about joining the back of the waiting list for a Sadler 290. My comfort zone would be a Yanmar with traditional drive train .. which this clearly isn't!

How do spares prices compare with Yanmar? Are they cheaper if you can source from Kubota?

 

[bobgosling]

Can't opine on that model but very pleased with performance and, particularly, after-sales care of my Beta.

 

[Pye_End]

Agree - mine is the 13.5 and seems very good so far.

When you do come to decide, I think you have to look first at which engine gives you best access to service items given every boat has different access. Also worth looking at the bed and the feet to see if this is going to save a job or two.

 

[onenyala]

I agree with all previous posts. I had the 13.5 HP twin installed in my 29 ft long oa 26 ft lwl long fin keeler last year. The 10 HP & the 13.5 HP are identical engines. The only difference is that the fuel delivery has been upped on the 13.5 so it can run at higher revs and so produce more HP.
I can achieve 5.8 kts at about 2700rpm which means that I could have had the 10 HP installed with the same results.
Beta are a good company to deal lwith.

 

[stevebirch2002]

Spares are available worldwide and very reasonable. Dont know about Yanmar as never bought any spares for them!!

 

[capt_courageous]

Very quite, smooth and responsive - especially after our defunct MD7a. Can't think of any cons except they would not give me one for nothing.

 

[eastcoastbernie]

I had a 13.5 HP Beta engine fitted to my 26 ft GibSea a couple of years ago. I am very pleased with it. Very good fuel economy. Spares arrive next day when ordered by phone. User-friendly advice also given