Contessa 32 Engine Compartment

[Mawingo]

Can someone tell me if it is very difficult to work on the engine of a Contessa 32. I realize the front of the engine is easily accessible but it seems the rear could be problematic Cheers

 

[awol]

First, not all CO32s are the same - but with mine I have an access panel from the pilot berth which allows access to the rear of the engine and and stern gland with sufficient space to remove the gearbox. There is also an access panel in the cockpit locker on the port side which I have never needed to use. It does require going headfirst down the pilot berth and having someone to hand you spanners and rescue anything dropped which always ends up at the front of the engine, just out of reach, is useful.

 

[doug748]

Here is a useful video:

I think that is an early boat and gives the impression that access, from the cockpit locker and quarter berth, is not always present on some boats, as awol has said. It is certainly standard after c78/79 and gives outstanding access particularly on modern engines like the Beta, were attention has been given to ease of maintenance.

Note that the cockpit drains are not always ahead of the rear engine bulkhead, as in the video but have to be attended to aft of the bulkhead, via the cockpit locker.

.

 

[tillergirl]

I do recall repairing the exhaust (dry exhaust) that fractured on a windless passage to the Channel Islands). The access was to lie on top of the engine (once cooler and fumes free). Fortunately (as to access) the engine was a Petter Twin so it was quite small. A taller unit would have been a problem. There was some access from the Quarter Berth - not that the 'trotter' end of the berth was particularly access friendly.

 

[awol]

Mine are aft of the bulkhead but I cut an access port from the pilot berth. Once was enough servicing the stb seacock from the locker!