Centaur re-engine: Beta or Nanni?

[daveyw]

I like blue so I got a Nanni!

 

[snooks]

Check out Scott at T S Marine.

The installation was perfect as has been the engine. All service components easily accessible.
Just a satisfied customer

+1

 

[Babylon]

Thank you all for your input.

I will be heading down to Mike whatsisface at Brighton on monday morning to order the new Beta 20.

...However, I did notice that the alternator was rather petite, so the optional bigger one, if still an option, is not really optional...

I went for the optional larger output alternator, which really jams the amps back into the battery banks, saving me the cost and effort of installing an alternator booster.

You'll probably need the poly-vee belt to go with it.

I didn't think it would be long before someone claimed Beta was the bees knees. The truth is that both Nanni and Beta are very good - and based on exactly the same engine. My advice to the OP is to fit the one that suits your installation needs and allows you to get to the ancillaries and service points.

To be fair, I didn't claim Beta was the bee's knees. As I stated, its just what I chose when getting rid of the old Bukh and have been very pleased with it so far (except of course for the faff of cleaning the heat-exchanger every year) and I'm sure Nanni is just as good.

 

[Babylon]

Check out Scott at T S Marine. He installed a Beta BZ482 in my 29' Kingscruiser in 2005.
The installation was perfect as has been the engine. All sevice components easily accessible.
Just a satified customer

I totaly agree and Scott did a top job installing mine, except that the OP is based in Shoreham, which is.. err.. next to Brighton.

 

[john_morris_uk]

To be fair, I didn't claim Beta was the bee's knees. As I stated, its just what I chose when getting rid of the old Bukh and have been very pleased with it so far (except of course for the faff of cleaning the heat-exchanger every year) and I'm sure Nanni is just as good.

No problem - I just find some of the Beta comments slightly annoying. People seem to think that because it worked for them in their situation it must be right for all situations and that patently isn't true.

We had impeccable service from the main Nanni dealer. The only fault we had was fixed under warranty within a very short period of time, whilst we were on holiday in France - by the local French agent completely free of charge. This was despite me not quite complying with the warranty by having my self installation checked by an official agent...

I too have had good and positive contact with Beta marine. I am amazed that the same engine only in a different colour can generate so much heat in discussions on these forums.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I am amazed that the same engine only in a different colour can generate so much heat in discussions

Not only engines, my friend! Here, half the country is 'Red' while the other half is 'Blue'. General elections within a year beckon and it has already started with heated 'discussions' being the order of the day.

 

[nathanglasgow]

Just our personal experience here but our wee Beta BZ482 has not had its heat exchanger cleaned probably since new(2002).Previous owner bought boat in 2004 and did oil/filters yearly but never touched the heat exchanger..We bought boat Jan 2012 and is still pumping water fine and cooling as it should.Cleaning is planned for end of season so will be interesting to see how it looks but at the moment the cooling system is working fine so yearly cleaning seems a bit excessive.Now on the other hand we were on a nice McGruer wooden built ketch 3 weeks ago with a bigger Beta,not sure what model but it was a big one 40-50hp 4cylinder,that overheated.After all the usual checks the tube stack was removed and found to be mostly clogged up.Upon cleaning all was fine.Guess the last time it was cleaned.NEVER since its instillation 14 years ago!So ten years without cleaning might be okay but maybe 14 years is a bit excessive.I think two yearly inspection/cleaning is what we will do

 

[dutyhog]

maybe 14 years is a bit excessive.I think two yearly inspection/cleaning is what we will do

I checked our Beta exchanger after two years and it was OK, and I've not opened it again after another 5 years. If the engine ever indicates more than 70 degrees I'll consider cleaning the exchanger. The anode in it wears out every year, and one time it broke off, but I was able to fish it out without dismantling.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Not only engines, my friend! Here, half the country is 'Red' while the other half is 'Blue'. General elections within a year beckon and it has already started with heated 'discussions' being the order of the day.

Within a year? And there was me thinking we had gone over to fixed term parliaments, or perhaps that hasn't been introduced yet?

I note that heated might be apposite in some of the Beta engine discussions considering the various comments about heat exchangers that people are making...

 

[Tranona]

Within a year? And there was me thinking we had gone over to fixed term parliaments, or perhaps that hasn't been introduced yet?

I note that heated might be apposite in some of the Beta engine discussions considering the various comments about heat exchangers that people are making...

When it does come to the vote, remember there is a third choice (yellow) so you should consider a Vetus as well! Plus of course other varieties of grey, green and rainbow!

Seriously, though, the discussion on the differences, mainly heat exchangers is important. You rarely hear of any problems with the Kubota bit, so it is the suitability of the marinised bits that differentiate the reds from the blues - and why there is room for both in the market.

 

[snooks]

I am amazed that the same engine only in a different colour can generate so much heat in discussions on these forums.

Ah....but it's not the same engine is it?

It's the same Kubota engine block, but Beta add their own bits to it and can and will customise where the ancillaries go (for a price).

So if you don't want the oil filter or sump pump attached to the engine you don't have to. If your existing exhaust is fitted on the starboard side (as with a Bukh) they do crossover exhaust fittings so you can use the same, as well as fitting an inertia ring on engines less than 28hp, flexible thrust plates etc etc

 

[Boo2]

an inertia ring on engines less than 28hp, flexible thrust plates etc etc

What and why are inertia rings and flexible thrust plates, pray ?

Boo2

 

[snooks]

Inertia rings are over pulleys that act as flywheels in the smaller engines which smooths the engine acceleration and deceleration and also allows some of the models to fit polyvee belts, good for wear and heat dissapation.

Their thrust plate is like a flexible coupling between the engine and gear box, so the thrust of the prop is cushioned before it reaches the engine as isn't transmitted directly from the gear box to the engine if you connect the engine without a flexble coupling (and more protected if you do).

 

[john_morris_uk]

Inertia rings are over pulleys that act as flywheels in the smaller engines which smooths the engine acceleration and deceleration and also allows some of the models to fit polyvee belts, good for wear and heat dissapation.

Their thrust plate is like a flexible coupling between the engine and gear box, so the thrust of the prop is cushioned before it reaches the engine as isn't transmitted directly from the gear box to the engine if you connect the engine without a flexble coupling (and more protected if you do).

I wasn't aware that Nanni didn't fit these things. But I'm not a Nanni rep - nor do I wish to defend them. I am only a forumite that gets occasionally and very slightly irritated by some of the posts extolling Beta as the best thing ever when I have been very happy with the engine that Nanni supplied me many years ago and the service I received from their agents.

A little bit of it also extends to the way that one forumite used to flog Beta engines on the side to anyone who mentioned that they were interested in re-engining their boat. How do I know? He tried to flog me one as well.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

I really suggest you call Peachment and find out what they do to the Nanni engines before making a comparison.

 

[Koeketiene]

Nanni

Re-engined two years ago.
Had initially intended to replace the ageing Vetus with a Yanmar, as I had been very pleased with the Yanmar on our previous boat.
However, the Yanmar was several K more expensive than either Beta or Nanni.

Looked at both, chatted to others who had had to take a similar decision earlier. The widely reported Beta Achilles heel seems to be the anodes. Whilst very few Beta owners regretted their choice, the consensus seemed to be that the Nanni was better marinised.
The Nanni was slightly more expensive than the Beta, but the yard (where I was also having other work done) got Peachment to match the Beta price.
Been very pleased with the enigine so far (2 years). Fuel economy is impressive - but I guess the new prop also helped.

The fact that we'll be moving to a berth in France in a few years time was also a consideration (availability of spares, ...)

 

[jellylegs]

I have a Nanni 3 cylinder 21hp in my 1978 Centaur. Pushes her a long very well. maximum through the water speed I have had was 7knots, flat out at 3500 rpm. Cruises comfortably at 5.5 knots at about 2500rpm. Brilliant fuel consumption too.

I understand that the paint job is better on nanni engines than beta. but seems to be identical, apart from the colour.

Fuel tank will come out with the engine in.

I can send images of my installation if you want to send me your email address...

 

[Halo]

I fitted a Beta in my W25 - great engine and highlt recommended.
Before buying I was worried about whether is would fit in the small space available - so I made a very simple full scale model of the feet /prop shaft positions / major dimensions etc for cardboard , hardboard and an old aluminium pipe from a vacuum cleaner tool SWMBO chucked out. This enabled me to be satisfied it would fit.
I wish I had replaced the engine years earlier
Bad points were
- higher rev speeds make higher pitched noise and I preferred the heartbeat like thump thump thump of the MD1
- used more fuel because going faster
- prop went round the other way so prop walk reversed - too a bit of getting used to when mooring
- cleaning out heat exchanger took a little getting used to and had expense of changing seals each time
Good pionts were
- much lighter - she sailed better
- much smaller prop (higher revs)- she sailed even better
- better charging
- excellent service from Beta
- faster under engine
- Beta engine oil drain pump is really good
Hope this helps
Martin

 

[chinita]

Had two very bad experiences with Nanni/Peachments. My friend with a Beta has had problems, but Beta appear to respond very quickly to resolve issues.

I submitted the enquiry form for a new Nanni online to Peachments ten days ago.

Heard nothing.

Bloody recession.

 

[Slowtack]

My VP 2003 is going well but heading for 30 years old, so time to research a replacement.
I re-engined my last boat with a Beta. Good basic motor but same problem as others with exchanger, also a lot of belt wear and was wondering if they have solved the latter issue?
Also has anybody fitted a Beta/Nanni or a Yanmar to a VP saildrive?