Anyone had any experience of the Yanmar 6LY2-STE set up with ZF 2 speed gearbox

Boatbore

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Hello all, after a long period of abstinence from the site I am back to consult your great collective wisdom because I am currently considering more madness (boat ownership) in a new (well new to me) boat. Because I want a dayboat that's fast but comfortable.... I have ended up considering a sunseeker superhawk 50 with 3 x yanmar 420's, 2 speed ZF gearboxes and fixed trimax drives. Good for just under 50 knots !

There has and always will be a lot of discussion about surface drives on here and I don't want to get into that (not today anyway !) but I would love anyone's opinion on the Yanmar's, which I regard as a good engine if well maintained and correctly propped (must reach 3300 revs WOT), and especially any views on the 2 speed gearboxes.

You bring the engines up to 2000 - 2500 revs, push a switch and the ZF's change gear. My research so far says they have always been reliable, but I would love to hear other's views. Hearsay is welcome too.... but may be regarded as less valid than 1st hand experience !

Thanks in advance
 
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Having worked on most everything that you find in boat engine rooms and for a Yanmar dealer I can honestly say the Yanmars gave next to no problems. Of course all engines are dependant on good servicing but the 6 cyl Yanmars are great motors, start first time and are very smooth, I have no experience with the 2 speed box however but I am sure someone here has.
 
Thanks Spannerman. Good to know and reassuring too ! I guess those 2 speed boxes were only common on this sunseeker superhawk 50 and also on their XS2000 the 38 ft high speed racer. I can't think of them in anything else...... the gorgeous Riva Rivarama had 2 speed boxes I think but not sure if they were ZF's....... anyway, all input welcome !
 
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