miki_b
Member
- Joined
- 25 Mar 2004
- Messages
- 37
- Location
- Home: Israel , going to the Bahamas
Does anybody have firsthand experience with Beta engines, specifically the 20 hp BD722? any info will be of help. Thanks!
Beta engine
- Thread starter miki_b
- Start date
webcraft
Well-Known Member
Everyone I know who has a Beta swears by them. No-one I know has ever reported a problem.
- Nick
- Nick
ChrisE
Well-Known Member
We have just re-engined Rival Spirit with a 37.5 and have been impressed with the engine and the company that made it. Worth going to, say, LIBS, for a boatshow deal.
miki_b
Member
- Joined
- 25 Mar 2004
- Messages
- 37
- Location
- Home: Israel , going to the Bahamas
After posting did a search of the site and found similiar opinions. So thanks guys!
PhilipH
Well-Known Member
Replaced a Volvo with one of these ina Sigma 33 - magic. Worked a treat, never, ever any problems and 100% confidence.
cliff
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Does anybody have firsthand experience with Beta engines, specifically the 20 hp BD722? any info will be of help. Thanks!
[/ QUOTE ]I had one of them on a previous boat, specifically a BD722. Nice enough wee engine, started first time every time, easy to change filters and engine anode - it did eat alternator belts though even though the pulleys were in alignment and the belts are not standard width - cunning these japanese!. Noisy as well and not as smooth running as many believe but it did its job. Personally I would not buy one to replace an engine but would look at the Bukh DV24 instead which I have in my present boat. IMHO, having run both Beta and Bukh, I would go for a Bukh DV24 if I was re-engining in that size range and had the room to fit one.
One problem I did find with the Beta which I never managed to resolve was the tiny alternator fitted by Beta Marine. Tiny physically and in output. Fine for a piece of plant (they are Kuboto tractor / plant engines afterall) but not to supply 12v for a boat.
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
Does anybody have firsthand experience with Beta engines, specifically the 20 hp BD722? any info will be of help. Thanks!
[/ QUOTE ]I had one of them on a previous boat, specifically a BD722. Nice enough wee engine, started first time every time, easy to change filters and engine anode - it did eat alternator belts though even though the pulleys were in alignment and the belts are not standard width - cunning these japanese!. Noisy as well and not as smooth running as many believe but it did its job. Personally I would not buy one to replace an engine but would look at the Bukh DV24 instead which I have in my present boat. IMHO, having run both Beta and Bukh, I would go for a Bukh DV24 if I was re-engining in that size range and had the room to fit one.
One problem I did find with the Beta which I never managed to resolve was the tiny alternator fitted by Beta Marine. Tiny physically and in output. Fine for a piece of plant (they are Kuboto tractor / plant engines afterall) but not to supply 12v for a boat.
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robind
Well-Known Member
Please remember when you are getting that fabulous deal from them at the LBS that any warantee work still has to be done by your local agent (who gets no comission from that particular sale?). Ask them if he gets paid for any of it and how much.
macd
Well-Known Member
I fitted a BD1005 (28hp) last winter and I'm very happy with it. I specified a polyvee (multi- groove) alternator belt. Ordinary V-belts and a known problem on Betas, especially if running in a hot engine bay. (They're also stone age technology which in my view have no place on any modern engine.) The polyvee looks like lasting for ever, but I'll probably change it routinely every 500 hours or so. It's worth noting that although Beta triples are in general very easy to work on, changing a belt requires removal of at least one water pipe, so it's not an instant job -- although one could be looped inside the offending pipe and secured so it's ready to go.
The BD722 can be specified with a 70amp alternator AND polyvee belt for an additional £180 (less any discount) which I think is well worth the money.
As previous posts and my own experience show, Beta is a good company to deal with.
The BD722 can be specified with a 70amp alternator AND polyvee belt for an additional £180 (less any discount) which I think is well worth the money.
As previous posts and my own experience show, Beta is a good company to deal with.
