CMonster
Member
We are considering repowering with a 55D Westerbeke engine. Does anyone have any experience with these engines? Boat is a Rival 41, taking out a Mercedes 72, sob.
Any experiences with Westerbeke marine engines?
- Thread starter CMonster
- Start date
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Believe it is a Kubota base engine as used also by Beta and Nanni. They have never made any impression in Europe, probably because they offer no advantages over similar engines from European based manufacturers. No reason why it should not be satisfactory technically, but if the boat is being used outside the US then a brand that has more European/international presence might be a better choice.
macd
Well-Known Member
CMonster: you might have more joy on one of the US forums, such as Sailnet: http://www.sailnet.com/forums
Windy_Stu
Well-Known Member
Hi
We have a Westy 30B in our Gemini Cat.... There are over 1000 Gems sold, and I think most have the Westy unit in.
I think they are much bigger in the US, mosty generators overhear, but we get service parts easily from Advance Yacht Systems Limited in Romsey.
Not sure if they are the best units in the world, but they seem OK (touching wood as I type
)
Stu
We have a Westy 30B in our Gemini Cat.... There are over 1000 Gems sold, and I think most have the Westy unit in.
I think they are much bigger in the US, mosty generators overhear, but we get service parts easily from Advance Yacht Systems Limited in Romsey.
Not sure if they are the best units in the world, but they seem OK (touching wood as I type
)Stu
sailorman
Well-Known Member
contact Michael W ( forumite ) he re engined his Oyster Heritage 37 with a westerbeke, mainly as he was spending a long time in America & thought spares would be easier to obtain
michael_w
Well-Known Member
As Sailorman says, I re-engined my Oyster Heritage with a 31hp Westerbeke 35D Three. The criteria was as follows:
With a forthcoming Atlantic Circuit in mind, I was replacing a Volvo 2003 that had motored to the moon and back. Being very tight on space, I needed a 3 cylinder engine. Other installation considerations meant I needed a LH prop, thus a hydraulic gearbox. Not wanting another green monster, the alternatives were: Yanmar, Beta/Nanni, Lombardini and Vetus.
The 3 cylinder Yanmar, was just about to go out of production, also it was horribly expensive. It's replacement was 4 cylinder. Also the agents I spoke to wouldn't change the gearbox.
The Beta/Nanni offering would give me 27 hp, but wrung out of 900cc the engine producing the rated power at 3,500 rpm, not so good for longevity. no problem with supplying the hydraulic gearbox.
The Lombardini is also a high revving unit. Which I'm not keen on.
Both Westerbeke and Vetus marinize Mitsubishi engines. But Vetus didn't do the model I wanted.
The Westerbeke gives 31hp out of 1300cc revs to 3.000. Spares are relatively easy to find as Westerbeke's are extensively used as generators in larger boats. Spares for the base engine are no problem as the unit powers all sorts of industrial processes. There are agents everywhere, just google!
The Westerbeke has done 1900 hours since I installed it, Not fault free though. The raw water pump needed rebuilding at 1300 hours, one of the flexible mounts needed replacing too. More seriously, the heat exchanger needed to be replaced, the anodes are a bit on the small side. Otherwise, it's been a good companion.
With a forthcoming Atlantic Circuit in mind, I was replacing a Volvo 2003 that had motored to the moon and back. Being very tight on space, I needed a 3 cylinder engine. Other installation considerations meant I needed a LH prop, thus a hydraulic gearbox. Not wanting another green monster, the alternatives were: Yanmar, Beta/Nanni, Lombardini and Vetus.
The 3 cylinder Yanmar, was just about to go out of production, also it was horribly expensive. It's replacement was 4 cylinder. Also the agents I spoke to wouldn't change the gearbox.
The Beta/Nanni offering would give me 27 hp, but wrung out of 900cc the engine producing the rated power at 3,500 rpm, not so good for longevity. no problem with supplying the hydraulic gearbox.
The Lombardini is also a high revving unit. Which I'm not keen on.
Both Westerbeke and Vetus marinize Mitsubishi engines. But Vetus didn't do the model I wanted.
The Westerbeke gives 31hp out of 1300cc revs to 3.000. Spares are relatively easy to find as Westerbeke's are extensively used as generators in larger boats. Spares for the base engine are no problem as the unit powers all sorts of industrial processes. There are agents everywhere, just google!
The Westerbeke has done 1900 hours since I installed it, Not fault free though. The raw water pump needed rebuilding at 1300 hours, one of the flexible mounts needed replacing too. More seriously, the heat exchanger needed to be replaced, the anodes are a bit on the small side. Otherwise, it's been a good companion.
KellysEye
Well-Known Member
When in the Caribbean I asked a number of engine repair shops what they least had to repair. Engine: Yamaha. Generator: Northern Lights with Westerbeke a very close second.
Michael W seems to have problems with a Westerbeke generator. We ran one for two hours a day for six months a year for six years and only had to change the impellor twice, plastic bags sucked into the hull water inlet, and the solenoid once because the rivet holding it to the bracket had rattled loose.
Michael W seems to have problems with a Westerbeke generator. We ran one for two hours a day for six months a year for six years and only had to change the impellor twice, plastic bags sucked into the hull water inlet, and the solenoid once because the rivet holding it to the bracket had rattled loose.
sailorman
Well-Known Member
Kibo
Active Member
I also have a westerbeke diesel engine in my boat, a pacific mason 33. It has done around 1900 hours, two Atlantic crossings and still going reliable and strong. I'm currently based in Spain and can find spares in Barcelona easily.
