D4-225

[segaerta]

Referring to my other post from yesterday ...

Does anyone have feedback - positive or negative - about VP D4-225 engines. Thinking about having them in a new cruiser (Bavaria 37ft / 8250 kg fully loaded with fuel, water, gear and few people on board) ?

thanks,
Alain

 

[peterb26]

I have done around 150 hours in last 6 months on my D4-260.

Have to confess to being a "Sabre Perkins" fan - but despite that the D4 is an excellent engine. Smooth, clean and economical.

 

[Bandit]

At first glance for a boat of that length and weight 2 x 225 = 450hp looks a bit light on horsepower ?

A lot of boats of that size used to have 2 x 260 or 2 x 285 for good performance.

If the boat is new i suggest you enquire about the D4- 300 on drives which is coming out at southampton.

Fuel consumption for the same speed should not make any difference only if with more hp you go faster.

Boats with the larger engine options tend to sell easier and more quickly.

 

[DavidJ]

[ QUOTE ]
At first glance for a boat of that length and weight 2 x 225 = 450hp looks a bit light on horsepower ?


[/ QUOTE ]
I've got a Sealine S37 with KAD43's which deliver 230hp each. The Baveria is a similar beamy boat so with a clean bottom expect 32-33 knots with the D4-225.
Putting performance and initial cost to one side, I believe that the resale value holds better for larger engined models. So for me I would expect the KAD44 (260hp x2) to hold it's value better.
Incidently my reasons for choosing the KAD43 is that I do my own maintenence and it's a simpler engine.

 

[Bandit]

A friend of mine has a Sealine f37 at 7900kg plus fuel and water about 8400kg plus pax and baggage with 2 x kad 300 on shaft and it goes well and effortlessly cruise 25knots tops about 30 knots.

 

[Whitelighter]

Dont forget shafts are much less ecomonical that Drives. Also, I reckong the F37 is quite a bit heavier than 8000Kg loaded.

 

[Chris_d]

[ QUOTE ]
Incidently my reasons for choosing the KAD43 is that I do my own maintenence and it's a simpler engine.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats a good point that I certianly used in choosing my boats, and even if not doing your own maintenance, bigger more powerful engines always cost more to maintain.

 

[segaerta]

Just spoke to a VP service man ... he told me that regular annual servicing is slightly higher for D6 than for D4 but nothing worrying. Similar labor hours to be put in, price of parts slightly higher for D6. So as far as engine maintenance is concerned, no showstopper.

Fuel consumption I have been told (and I actually think it's true) will not differ much as well as mostly slow cruising so D6 will have lower RPM hence burn about same amount of fuel as D4 that needs to work harder. So no showstopper either.

I read here that larger engines tend to have higher resale value. I would expect that (perceived) economical engines such as D4 would be preferred ?

My dilemma is I need to choose between a two month boat with D4-225 (still 22 months VP warranty) and a two year (low hours) D6-310 boat costing same amount of money.

Tough choice to make,
Alain

 

[David2452]

Have a 225 just 18 months old with 220 hours, so far no issues, it's smooth, economical & quiet. Can't really comment on weather they have enough grunt for your needs but the delivery is progressive and smooth all the way from tickover to 3500

 

[segaerta]

Thanks,

Spoke earlier today to a VP service man, who happens to know somebody with similar boat (although HT version, so even few 100 kgs heavier) and D4-225 engines. Fully loaded almost 9 tons with 8 people on it, it starts planing effortlessly (with little trim tab use) and goes smoothly up to 31-32 knots. The guy keeps his boat in my home town (why did I not know this ?) and invited me on trials over the weekend. He's a very happy man, so hopefully he's able to convince me all the way.

Alain

 

[Chris_d]

Make an offer for 10% less on the older one, if its accepted the choice is easy /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[segaerta]

We're going to visit it coming Saturday. But heard via via that even two years old, it's already a bit "worn out". We'll see.