Betamarine 30

[Tranona]

Chose a Nanni 14 over a Beta primarily because of the heat exchanger design, but other small details look better and the standard spec included the oil extractor and bigger alternator. And of course it is blue, rather than red which co-ordinates better with the bunk cushions.

 

[macd]

I put a Beta 14hp in my last boat and am now considering what to buy as replacement for VP2003 in my current boat. The Beta (Kubota) engine itself was mechanically reliable but it suffered almost immediately from simple but annoying faults - excessive belt dusting.

To their credit Beta is one of few manufacturers which for several years has fitted polyvee belts as standard on many of their engines (can't speak specifically for the 30 but easy enough for the OP to check). They last aeons, just like the ones in your car. V-belts are sick joke, particularly with the sort of duty cycles boat alternators endure.

 

[sailorman]

To their credit Beta is one of few manufacturers which for several years has fitted polyvee belts as standard on many of their engines (can't speak specifically for the 30 but easy enough for the OP to check). They last aeons, just like the ones in your car. V-belts are sick joke, particularly with the sort of duty cycles boat alternators endure.

I prefer to change a belt more frequently than strip the H/E every year

 

[macd]

I prefer to change a belt more frequently than strip the H/E every year

You'll have to help me: what's a H/E?

 

[sailorman]

You'll have to help me: what's a H/E?

Its wot cools the water down
A Heat Exchanger.
The Beta ones are sometimes a problem due to being "just adequate" when new, also consume anodes due to mixed metals that then block an already under sized H/E

 

[macd]

Its wot cools the water down

No, it's a complete non-sequiter so far as the post to which you replied is concerned.
However, you're right inasmuch as Beta recommend pulling out the H/E end-caps annually, advice that is in my experience way over-cautious.

 

[sailorman]

No, it's a complete non-sequiter so far as the post to which you replied is concerned.
However, you're right inasmuch as Beta recommend pulling out the H/E end-caps annually, advice that is in my experience way over-cautious.

Follow or not, i was advised against the red engine due to mis matched metals in the cooling system. to date that advise is correct, Nanni do not fit anodes to my engine

 

[AHoy2]

In the Nanni v. Beta comparison the biggest difference I have noticed is a far better level of support for the Beta. My experience of support from Peachment was not good and local Nanni support non-existent in reality. So far I have found Beta to be far more responsive in terms of supplying information and parts. Given similar reliability and durability track records it is support that now determines choice for me.

 

[doug748]

Beta have a good reputation for taking an interest in after sales service. I have the 20hp effort.

In fact I didn't seriously consider many other engines. The ones I did look at seemed to be imported by hole in the corner boatyards. Not a happy prospect for a motor you may be keeping for 20 years.

I actually just decided to fit what everybody else was fitting.

Choosing a fashionable engine has a lot to commend it, particulary with a well established boat type. All the spadework on installation will have been done and there is always someone you can call upon for advice, you can be assured that the engine is good and reasonably suitable. Spares will be readily available anywhere and alehouse mechanics will know what they are looking at.

If you decide to sell, your engine will be the one that buyers will be half expecting on your class of boat.

 

[alahol2]

Follow or not, i was advised against the red engine due to mis matched metals in the cooling system. to date that advise is correct, Nanni do not fit anodes to my engine

That may, or may not, be a good thing... http://www.swainmarine.com/#/blog/4562994614/Water-leak-on-Nanni-5.250TDI-in-an-Arvor-200-on-the-River-Stour-Tuckton-Christchurch./3033504

 

[Slowtack]

Hmmmmm
Never had those issue with my Volvo

 

[sailorman]

That may, or may not, be a good thing... http://www.swainmarine.com/#/blog/4...the-River-Stour-Tuckton-Christchurch./3033504

any up dates on that

 

[macd]

Follow or not, i was advised against the red engine due to mis matched metals in the cooling system. to date that advise is correct, Nanni do not fit anodes to my engine

If by 'mis-matched' you mean galvanically different, I think it's probably pretty rare to get a heat-exchanger set-up which is not mis-matched. I have heard that the Beta pressure-cap assembly was sometimes prone to corrosion, but that the spec of the components was changed some years ago.