Decreasing engine box size

[Gixer]

Every time I work on my engine I look at this area above the engine and think, what a waste of space on a 27f yacht.



I’m thinking of putting a board (with soundproofing) just above the engine and turning the area above into a battery compartment. I was wondering if I could get issues with heat or air to the engine if I make the engine area smaller? I’m just about to replace all the soundproofing so now is the time to do it.

I could fit a small odyssey battery in there easily, which would mean the current engine start battery could become another domestic, doubling the size of that bank.

Any thoughts?

 

[PabloPicasso]

Yes, go for it. I had a 26footer and two batteries were above the engine with no issues.

Water cooling should manage the engine well enough.

Engineer any new panel so it can be removed if needed in future. Then you're onto a win win.

 

[Thresher]

Gosh. Now you've got me thinking, I could use that space as well on my 27 footer as well.
When I bought my boat it had a big engine compartment extractor fan which I disposed of because I didn't really know what I was doing. It's been fine but if I reduced the engine space further and needed to run the engine full whack for a period of time what would happen? The fan was there as an original installation so must have been there for a reason.
This is a question for the engineers amongst us.

 

[Gixer]

Thanks PabloPicasso, good idea to have it all removable if I do need better engine access. I’ll measure up today!

Gosh. Now you've got me thinking, I could use that space as well on my 27 footer as well.

Ha, that’s the danger with this forum

 

[vyv_cox]

When I replaced a Bukh 20 with a Yanmar 3GM30F it left a large space above the engine. I made a tool box that slid into place on aluminium runners. No consequences for the engine.

 

[PabloPicasso]

If there is a petrol engine a " bilge blower " might be essential to remove ignitable fumes prior to any engine start. With a diesel that's just not an issue. Did your boat have a petrol engine originally?

The engine bay will need venting to the outside to allow the engine to suck fresh air in. Was your fan extracting or sucking in? You only need a vent the size of the engine's air intake.

Water cooling should keep the engine cool. The air in the box may warm up a bit but unless it's extreme I imagine it won't affect the performance of a small yacht ancillary.

If it comes to it,and you find it's an issue after you've modified the engine box (unlikely), you could always retro fit a fan again.

On my Hanse 301 there's no wasted space around the engine at all. No fan, and no issues so far.

 

[Supertramp]

Gosh. Now you've got me thinking, I could use that space as well on my 27 footer as well.
When I bought my boat it had a big engine compartment extractor fan which I disposed of because I didn't really know what I was doing. It's been fine but if I reduced the engine space further and needed to run the engine full whack for a period of time what would happen? The fan was there as an original installation so must have been there for a reason.
This is a question for the engineers amongst us.

I have a large engine bay and an extraction fan. If I forget to turn it on, the exhaust water temperature goes up by 1-2 C. Much will depend on the engine bay size. My batteries are in the engine bay. The fan provides hot air to the helm position. Most welcome in a Scottish summer!

 

[geem]

I can walk into my engine room. There is a work bench over the generator. My tools hang on the walls. There is a hatch over the work bench so you can open it for ventilation. I have a nice big vice. I like my big engine room. My wife says its the only reason I bought the boat

 

[Buck Turgidson]

You do realise that heat rises! I don't think it's wise putting anything that could become a fire hazard directly above the engine. That compartment should be considered a containment area in case of engine fire.

 

[MontyMariner]

I don't like the idea of putting batteries that high up. The space above my engine is used as a storage cupboard but I have to be careful as to what I store in it as even with an engine extractor fan and insulated engine compartment, engine fumes still permeate into the cupboard.

 

[PabloPicasso]

... as even with an engine extractor fan and insulated engine compartment, engine fumes still permeate into the cupboard.

There should definitely not be fumes in the engine bay!! That's a danger to anyone in the cabin.

Fix the leaky exhaust!!

 

[LittleSister]

I'm guessing that's under and behind the companionway steps?

In a boat I had previously there was a sort of open shelf immediately below the companionway and above the engine - it was the top of the top step carried aftward, and with a space perhaps about 8" deep above it carried aftward under the bench at the front of the cockpit. (At the far end of the space there was a ply panel [missing in photo below] covering/protecting the back of the engine instrument/key start panel that was mounted at the lower front of the cockpit.)

This was the most amazingly useful space, and don't understand why every boat doesn't have similar. You could park things (binoculars or whatever) here and have them be readily accessible from both the cockpit and the cabin. Because of the side walls nothing would fall out, no matter how much the boat rolled. You could also place cups of tea or whatever here, out of the way of one's feet, but not in one's hands where they might spill or reduce one's ability to hold on while you were going up and down the steps, and could be retrieved once you'd arrived at whichever level you were going to.

I wonder whether something like this could be achieved from your under-used space over the engine? I'm almost certain you would find this much more useful than locker space freed up elsewhere by moving other kit into the space.

(In the case of my previous boat, the battery isolator and emergency link switches & VSR were mounted on the side of this space, and it was a bonus to be able to be able to reach these, too, from both cockpit and cabin.)

 

[Gixer]

Well it’s been a busy day, took everything apart and removed all the old sound deadening.



Thanks for all the comments, I am having second thoughts about putting a battery up there. LittleSister, just out of shot at the top of the steps are my main switches, as you say it’s a perfect place for them. If I didn’t have the manual bilge pump located on the steps I would consider turning it into a locker.
I’ll keep thinking…

 

[dansaskip]

Personally I wouldn't want anything as heavy as a battery that high.
There might be no consequences on cooling but there might be consequences for you when you come to work on the engine by making the working area smaller and more cramped - mind your head!

 

[MontyMariner]

Fix the leaky exhaust

It isn't exhaust fumes, it's oil, probably from the breather.

 

[PabloPicasso]

Could you vent the breather via a tube to an outside locker?

 

[Thresher]

If there is a petrol engine a " bilge blower " might be essential to remove ignitable fumes prior to any engine start. With a diesel that's just not an issue. Did your boat have a petrol engine originally?

The engine bay will need venting to the outside to allow the engine to suck fresh air in. Was your fan extracting or sucking in? You only need a vent the size of the engine's air intake.

Water cooling should keep the engine cool. The air in the box may warm up a bit but unless it's extreme I imagine it won't affect the performance of a small yacht ancillary.

If it comes to it,and you find it's an issue after you've modified the engine box (unlikely), you could always retro fit a fan again.

On my Hanse 301 there's no wasted space around the engine at all. No fan, and no issues so far.

Thank you. The original engine was a Volvo MD5B diesel, the boat a Leisure 27. I don't know if the the fan sucked or blew, there is a sizeable vent. I'll start planning straight away.

 

[davidmh]

What ever you put in that space make sure it is easily removed to give good access to the engine for items. on mine you remove the whole steps unit in 3 sections and one section is the storage box. if you store useful tools and blocks make sure you can get those out as a draw to reduce the weight. You sem to have good access over the top of the engine to get to the exhaust and drive line. You will regret it if you block it up
David