Cost of replacement 20hp engine?

[NickC]

Hi NickC. I have just put in a new Beta 20 into a 29ft yacht. Engine plus all the bits plus manufacturing a mount for the fridge compressor, a manufactured exhaust elbow, a new exhaust system, and a remote oil filter was NZD 18000. Thats about GBP 7500. I thought I had got off lightly until I got a bill from the guy who modified the companionway and bearers for NZD 4000. Anything marine in NZ is charged a premium. He really did very little and there is not much I can do as the mechanic subcontracted him.

The new engine is really good, so far, and cruises at over 5 kn at 2500 rpm.

Interesting to know. Hopefully could get it done for a bit less than that in the UK.

Out of interest have you worked out fuel consumption yet? I am just wondering how much more efficient new design engines are compared to than older ones.

 

[ianj99]

That's great, thanks Ian, gives me a good idea of expected budget. Have to admit though I have never heard of MPS engines before, I would have some concern about buying something away from the normal standard marine engine manufacturers. Do they totally build engines from scratch or are they based on one of the larger manufacturers engines.

They import the engines from China and are very helpful. They made modified feet for mine so it was a drop in replacement for the Perkins for £100.
They supplied and fitted the appropriate drive plate and adaptor plate so I could keep my nearly new PRM150 gearbox so overall the cost was around £4k delivered - probably 1/2 one of the well know brands 9some of whom won't supply without the gearbox).
They also have a number of marine engineers who can fit the engine depending on where you are located.

Some on here have questioned reliability and spares availability which is a valid point if you are venturing out of UK waters. But personally, I'd simply stock up with whatever spares Marine Power suggested.
The build quality is fine, there are no electronics to go wrong, it runs smoothly and quietly compared to the Perkins and uses about the same fuel. There is no cold starting device or heater plugs to go wrong either - its starts after a few seconds of cranking (5C is about as cold as it got in April and it always started at the first attempt).

You never add value to a used boat equal to the cost of a new engine and as mine is 35years old, spending more than I did was not justfiable. I'm glad there was the option of the MP446 otherwise I'd have had to live with the Perkins and hope it kept on going!

I did a write up of the engine change: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...4108-with-a-Marine-Power-Chinese-46bhp-diesel

Give Andrew a call - they aren't that far from you so may well have a fitter available and send him round to give you an estimate for the whole job.

Ian

 

[rogerball0]

Look at Marine Enterprises he has loads of engines from Bukh engines with very low hours to yanmars etc. Sean Brackstone is the owner.
http://www.marineenterprisesltd.co.uk/

I wish i knew of their existance before i bought my new lump, and only 45 mins up the road from me too...........................sh1t!

 

[NickC]

Will report back with more info once I have got in touch with the seller and actually seen the boat.

 

[Tranona]

Out of interest have you worked out fuel consumption yet? I am just wondering how much more efficient new design engines are compared to than older ones.

Actual thermal efficiencies have changed very little with small diesels. consumption is a direct function of the amount of hp used to move the boat, so it is important to get the propeller right to use the power efficiently. On a 20hp engine you can expect fuel consumption of around 1.5l an hour at cruising speed.

 

[scottie]

Actual thermal efficiencies have changed very little with small diesels. consumption is a direct function of the amount of hp used to move the boat, so it is important to get the propeller right to use the power efficiently. On a 20hp engine you can expect fuel consumption of around 1.5l an hour at cruising speed.

So if I have either an 18ft or 40ft boat with a 20hp engine the cruising speed and HP required will be the same and yes I do know of both extremes
As has been stated propellers move boats and determine fuel usage
For many years when determining range and tankage requirements a rule of thumb was 1 gallon of diesel produced 20hp per hour regardless of size of boat or engine (this may be nearer 25 with more efficient engines now) but 1/3 gallon per hour is not here yet
I have no doubt that there are plenty of boats with 20hp engines being used in a manner that gives thes figures but not when they are developing their full power.

 

[Twister_Ken]

So if I have either an 18ft or 40ft boat with a 20hp engine the cruising speed and HP required will be the same and yes I do know of both extremes
As has been stated propellers move boats and determine fuel usage
For many years when determining range and tankage requirements a rule of thumb was 1 gallon of diesel produced 20hp per hour regardless of size of boat or engine (this may be nearer 25 with more efficient engines now) but 1/3 gallon per hour is not here yet
I have no doubt that there are plenty of boats with 20hp engines being used in a manner that gives thes figures but not when they are developing their full power.

No. 1 litre per hour per 10 hp is the rule of thumb. So a 20 hp engine, running at 3/4 power will be drinking approx 1.5 litres an hour. As I did about 350 hours motoring this year, moving my boat down to the Med, I'm certain of this. If you're really getting the figures you quote, something is wrong.

 

[Daydream believer]

So if I have either an 18ft or 40ft boat with a 20hp engine the cruising speed and HP required will be the same and yes I do know of both extremes
As has been stated propellers move boats and determine fuel usage
For many years when determining range and tankage requirements a rule of thumb was 1 gallon of diesel produced 20hp per hour regardless of size of boat or engine (this may be nearer 25 with more efficient engines now) but 1/3 gallon per hour is not here yet
I have no doubt that there are plenty of boats with 20hp engines being used in a manner that gives thes figures but not when they are developing their full power.

I cannot accept that

My md2020 has now got to almost 3000 hours in a 31 ft boat
Fuel consumption in the first 4 years (1250 hours)with a fixed prop motoring in all sorts of seas plus 10 weeks in canals average was 1.6 litres per hour. Average speed 6 kts - would reach 7 kts in canals at about 3300 rpm cannot recall consumption at those revs as my figure os average overall
Changing to Brunton autoprop for last 8 years has resulted in 2 litres per hour ( bruntons claim to save fuel is b..x) running at 6 kts ( if not too much chop)and revs around 2000. Engine will rev to 2500 and give 6.5 kts but consumption will hit 2.3 litres per hour
I am quite careful about logging all fuel usage so am confident figs are correct and do not come anywhere near your claim

 

[scottie]

I have no doubt that there are plenty of boats with 20hp engines being used in a manner that gives thes figures but not when they are developing their full power.

 

[Twister_Ken]

I have no doubt that there are plenty of boats with 20hp engines being used in a manner that gives thes figures but not when they are developing their full power.

Even at full chat my 20hp won't use more than 2l an hour. That's less than half a gallon in old money.

 

[snooks]

I took my Bukh DV20 out and replaced it with Beta 35 which was lighter, quieter and more powerful.

Here is a list of everything I needed along with the RRP (i.e. worst case scenario pice)

http://www.yachtingmonthly.com/archive/replacing-an-old-engine-costs-and-contacts-2680