30hp inboards again!

[AndyOC]

Hello All,
Very new to the site and seeking some fresh thoughts on what's available in the 25-30hp range of inboard diesels. I'm approaching the end of the restoration of a wooden yacht and my boatbuilder suggested it would be a good time to have a think about re-powering.

First off;
The boat: A wooden racing yacht from 1938, approaching the end of restoration.
The current engine: Volvo Penta 30hp
The present Volvo probably requires a total strip down and reconditioning, and since the boat at the minute is an empty shell, its carte blanche for engine bearers and whatnot.

So what do all you folks think? YANMAR seems to be a universally popular choice, and indeed VOLVO too, if you can live with the cost of spare parts. I'm particularly looking for a QUIET engine.

Thanks folks,
Andy

 

[langstonelayabout]

Hello All,
Very new to the site and seeking some fresh thoughts on what's available in the 25-30hp range of inboard diesels. I'm approaching the end of the restoration of a wooden yacht and my boatbuilder suggested it would be a good time to have a think about re-powering.

First off;
The boat: A wooden racing yacht from 1938, approaching the end of restoration.
The current engine: Volvo Penta 30hp
The present Volvo probably requires a total strip down and reconditioning, and since the boat at the minute is an empty shell, its carte blanche for engine bearers and whatnot.

So what do all you folks think? YANMAR seems to be a universally popular choice, and indeed VOLVO too, if you can live with the cost of spare parts. I'm particularly looking for a QUIET engine.

Thanks folks,
Andy

I'd go with one of the Beta or Nanni engines. Smooth runners and reliable. Good UK dealer. Filters, etc., available globally at realistic prices. Beta are good at offering a design service for engine mounts that suit the engine AND your boat.

Bluntly I wouldn't go for a Yanmar unless it had something that the others didn't as the replacement parts are painfully expensive.

 

[Tranona]

There is really little to choose among the diesels available on the market. They are all based on Japanese industrial units whatever the final badge says. Nanni and Beta use Kubota base engines which have the advantage of a much wider range of hp compared with the two big ones, Yanmar and Volvo so can tailor an engine more closely to a particular application. So Beta have 10,14, 16, 20, 25, 28, 35,38 whereas Volvo have 13, 19, 29, 40.

Generally speaking Volvo and Yanmar tend to be more expensive, but in the context of a complete installation the difference is not a great as it might appear. much the same applies to spares. The regular service spares are all much the same and although non regular spares can be more expensive, the chances of needing them on a new engine are pretty low, and even over the life of the engine the difference is very small. The big advantage of Yanmar and volvo is their world wide service network (if that is important to you).

Functionally they are all very similar in such things as fuel consumption, smoothness, noise, vibration etc, much of which is down to careful installation anyway.

As to which you choose, it is just the same as any other consumer product such as choosing a Golf type car. You weigh up the pros and cons, paying particular attention to how it would fit in your boat. Then whether you are fitting or paying an installer how much support are you going to get from the seller. Even the colour might matter!.

You really can't go wrong with any of them. In my experience having done re-engine jobs in the past it is more important to get the installation right and particularly the propeller choice as it is the details that contribute to the success as much as the engine providing the power.

 

[DavidMcMullan]

Also consider access for servicing. Different engines may have filters, etc in different positions on the engine, which may/may not suit the access you have to the engine.
If you are using your old shaft and prop, then check match with engine output and propeller direction of rotation.

 

[Aja]

Hello All,
Very new to the site and seeking some fresh thoughts on what's available in the 25-30hp range of inboard diesels. I'm approaching the end of the restoration of a wooden yacht and my boatbuilder suggested it would be a good time to have a think about re-powering.

First off;
The boat: A wooden racing yacht from 1938, approaching the end of restoration.
The current engine: Volvo Penta 30hp
The present Volvo probably requires a total strip down and reconditioning, and since the boat at the minute is an empty shell, its carte blanche for engine bearers and whatnot.

So what do all you folks think? YANMAR seems to be a universally popular choice, and indeed VOLVO too, if you can live with the cost of spare parts. I'm particularly looking for a QUIET engine.

Thanks folks,
Andy

As I understand it all of the above comments are correct, although I believe Yanmar is the only engine designed for the marine environment and not an industrial unit adapted for marine use.

Interested to see that the restoration is nearing completion but is still an empty shell

Donald

 

[Tranona]

As I understand it all of the above comments are correct, although I believe Yanmar is the only engine designed for the marine environment and not an industrial unit adapted for marine use.

Interested to see that the restoration is nearing completion but is still an empty shell

Donald

While Yanmar claim it is a "marine" engine it sells just the same basic engine for industrial applications. Particularly big in the refrigeration field. Just like all the others it is a freshwater cooled industrial engine marinized with a heat exchanger. This is very different from the old style marine engines which they and Volvo used to make which were sea water cooled and made specifically for boats.

 

[vyv_cox]

On the 'expensive spares' topic, I installed a Yanmar 3GM30F in my boat in February 2001, since when it has completed 2523.6 hours. During that time I have changed filters annually, drive belts once and one exhaust manifold. The engine is quiet, runs beautifully, starts first press of the button and consumes very little oil. Expensive spares are not an issue in my engine.

 

[LittleSister]

I believe Yanmar is the only engine designed for the marine environment and not an industrial unit adapted for marine use.

The venerable Bukh DV series (current variants 24hp, 29hp, 32hp and 36hp) was designed as a marine engine, but I'm not sure what real life advantage that gives. I think the Bukh DVs are expensive, though, and bloody heavy. (Mine's still going strong after 39 years, mind.)

I think Tranona fairly sums it all up in post no.3.