Cummins v Volvo v Yanmar

[Orange]

We're shopping for an Elling & these boats seem to be fitted with either a Cummins, Volvo or Yanmar engine. Although I think my personal preference would be for Volvo or a Cummins, what is the forum's opinion of a Yanmar - both for the reliability & spares/servicing around the Med?

 

[Seastoke]

We're shopping for an Elling & these boats seem to be fitted with either a Cummins, Volvo or Yanmar engine. Although I think my personal preference would be for Volvo or a Cummins, what is the forum's opinion of a Yanmar - both for the reliability & spares/servicing around the Med?

i would want cummins ,but maybe volvo in the med

 

[TonyR123]

When looking to purchase last year for Mallorca I spoke to numerous people exactly on this. Just for spares I went for Volvo. Lots of Volvo dealers on the island and lots of spares.

Based on that I then discounted certain boats on the shopping list. This is not in any way saying Volvo are the better engine as on that I would not have a clue!

 

[Orange]

Thank you both.

So Yanmar not in the mix at all?

 

[Seastoke]

you need more replies is an elling right for the med

 

[Bouba]

you need more replies is an elling right for the med

Can't say anything first hand about Yanmar, but by reputation they are considered the best. But Cummins QSB motors are the very best, but I don't know what model is in your boat. The only factual thing I can say is that the Cummins people come when you call them and arrive on time (I'm in the SoF)

 

[Orange]

you need more replies is an elling right for the med

Perfectly true.

We would start in the Med for a year or three, then want the option of visiting the Caribbean.

 

[volvopaul]

Can't say anything first hand about Yanmar, but by reputation they are considered the best. But Cummins QSB motors are the very best, but I don't know what model is in your boat. The only factual thing I can say is that the Cummins people come when you call them and arrive on time (I'm in the SoF)

Even the Yanmar dealers I talk to absolutely slate the latest generation of BMW based units.

 

[Orange]

Can't say anything first hand about Yanmar, but by reputation they are considered the best. But Cummins QSB motors are the very best, but I don't know what model is in your boat. The only factual thing I can say is that the Cummins people come when you call them and arrive on time (I'm in the SoF)

The best? I had assumed that they were a poor 3rd place. ouch!

The boats we are currently considering have the following engines:

Cummins 6 CTA
Volvo D6 435
Yanmar 440hp

 

[Orange]

Even the Yanmar dealers I talk to absolutely slate the latest generation of BMW based units.

Sorry Volvopaul, I don't get the reference. Which engines are BMW based? Yanmar?

These engines would be around 10 years old. Can't afford a new boat.

 

[volvopaul]

Sorry Volvopaul, I don't get the reference. Which engines are BMW based? Yanmar?

These engines would be around 10 years old. Can't afford a new boat.

Yes some later yanmar engines use BMW base unit . What model of yanmar is fitted to boats your looking at ?

 

[Orange]

Good question & thanks for your reply.

This is the only data I have at the moment:

Year Built: 2004
Engine Model: Yanmar
Engine Type: Inboard
Engine/Fuel Type: Diesel
Engine Hours: 1060
Drive Type: Shaft Drive
Engine Power: 440 HP

 

[oldgit]

Suspect that there is precious little difference in the longer term and many partisan enthusiasts for a particular Green/Yellow/White engine.
My concern would be simply be availability of spares both now and in the future.
At some point you will need bits (and poss. expertise) in hurry and possibly price will be the last thing on your mind if the part is on a six month backorder or worse simply no longer available. ?

 

[Orange]

Thanks for your reply oldgit

Do you mean that it may be difficult in the future to obtain spares for the Yanmar, or difficult for any engine over 10 years?

 

[volvopaul]

Good question & thanks for your reply.

This is the only data I have at the moment:

Year Built: 2004
Engine Model: Yanmar
Engine Type: Inboard
Engine/Fuel Type: Diesel
Engine Hours: 1060
Drive Type: Shaft Drive
Engine Power: 440 HP

View attachment 63016

That's a 6LY

 

[Orange]

Thanks volvopaul

Is the 6LY a reliable engine & parts easily available?

 

[Divemaster1]

Cummins 6 CTA - 8.3 L volume
Volvo D6 435 - 5.5 L Volume
Yanmar 440hp - 5.8 L Volume

Think I know which one that is least stressed and would give the longest service life ....

 

[Orange]

Indeed, but the Cummins is turbocharged, which I find (in cars) can increase stress on the engine, particularly if not correctly fuelled.

However my main purpose is in choosing a boat. As there are compromises to be made, I am unsure about pluses & minuses for each engine. For instance currently in our price range, there is only one boat that has a wing engine. The main engine in that boat is a Yanmar. The other boats have a Cummins & a Volvo. I was discarding the Yanmar boat, because I know nothing about the engine brand - preferring Volvo/Cummins. However if the Yanmar is considered a reliable engine, I can add more weight in considering that particular boat.

 

[Divemaster1]

All these three engines are turbocharged ... and run at different speeds ...

Cummins 6 CTA - 8.3 L Volume - 2600 RPM
Volvo D6 435 - 5.5 L Volume - 3500 RPM
Yanmar 440hp - 5.8 L Volume - 3300 RPM

Still believe the higher volume (and used in many commercial vessels) engine with lowest RPM running speed will give better / longer service life...

 

[Orange]

Understood about the rpm, a perfectly valid point.

Our issue is that the Cummins boat doesn't have a wing engine. Retro fitting a wing engine is very expensive.