Engine and outdrives - what would you fit?...

aztec

aztec

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IF...

Money wasn't an issue, and you wanted good performance with realistic economy?

26ft planing hull.

Currently fitted with a pair of prima turbo diesels and enfield (yes i know!) 130H outdrives.

Looking for a complete "supply and fit" option.

Your comments please.

Ta.
 
Shafts... :)

Prefer Volvo personally - not keen on mercruiser maintenance, although the engines themselves are nice. Things like not being able to change an impeller on the V8's with the boat afloat. Daft.
 
rosssavage said:
Shafts... :)

Prefer Volvo personally - not keen on mercruiser maintenance, although the engines themselves are nice. Things like not being able to change an impeller on the V8's with the boat afloat. Daft.
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Did wonder about shafts, but could see a whole host of problems with a conversion.

Probably better to buy a new boat.

Also thought of jets.

And other stuff that's probably unrealistic.
 
Ross, I'm not sure that a pair of V8 diesels would fit too well in. 26 ft sports boat.

Probably a pair of D3 VP's would slot in easiest, although the VW 2.0 engines are better IMHO, on Merc Alfa drives. I think these are easier to maintain than the VP alternatives, and not so susceptible to seal damage from fishing line.
 
Waterjets, you can get away without gearbox for right engine as it could be direct drive...
Outdrives the same ...

Waterjets are a bit more vounerable when not being used often as growth in tunell affects impellor .... and in worst case damage may occur.

If low/infrequent use consider outdrives ... or if you want to be different think surface props... but this require a gearbox ....

So that is the drive options you have...

Then the question is one large engine or two smaller ones ... and on to diesel or petrol ...

If I were looking at speed vs investment and consider a bit heavy re-construction, I'd head for a single re-built 170 HP KAMD 32 ... or perhaps an older 41 / 43 series if the boat is beamy enough to take the weight and engine room can take a straight six...

If new engines are considered, your options are very different, but you need to consider...single or twins, then petrol or diesel ... Single engine = less maintenance, but more re-construction on stern... etc.

so more info please ...
 
It would depend on budget and anticipated amount of use for me. If relatively small budget and not high hours, I think I'd stick a couple of V6 MPI petrol lumps in there :D Best of performance and lower initial cost. This equates to a lot of fuel burned to equal the purchase cost of decent diesel lumps! If you are looking to keep longer term and do higher mileage then you'd probably recover most of the extra (of diesels) cost in fuel savings and resale value.
 
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Actually, for simplicity of fit, ease of maintenance etc, you could look at the Merc 1.7 TDi diesel. This is the Isuzu diesel as used by GM. It is a pre common rail diesel, hence mechanical injection, will be smaller and more powerful (120 hp) than your prima's. I have 2 of these in Rafiki, fitted to the Merc Alpha 1 Gen 2 drives.

Raf is a 31 ft sports cruiser, Sunline 31, and uses 6-8 gph at 20-25 knots.
 
Your engine choice will depend mainly on the power you require.
I changed a petrol V8 in a 25' Bayliner to a much smaller diesel and am very pleased with the result and fuel consumption.
 

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Hi Aztec,

There are so many options here but working on your comment of 'if money wasn't an issue', then have you looked at Vetus? They do a strong range of 4 and 5 cylinder units offering a narrow installation compared to many of the V6 offerings. And they range from 170 to 250 per engine. Very strong pricing too if you haggle. The VF5.250E is certainly on my list if I ever decide to re-power.

Hyundia also sell a range now albeit unproven as yet. The S250/220 V6 might be too wide but they also do a straight 4 170.

But as mentioned above you could save a bundle and drop in two petrol engines and blow the savings on fuel! However, diesel will offer much stronger saleability but it's unlikely you'll get all your money back if you ever sell.
 
aztec said:
IF...

Money wasn't an issue, and you wanted good performance with realistic economy?

26ft planing hull.

Currently fitted with a pair of prima turbo diesels and enfield (yes i know!) 130H outdrives.

Looking for a complete "supply and fit" option.

Your comments please.

Ta.
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Recently on Ebay there was a Conway 26 with a 150 Diesel Volvo going for peanuts. I had one of these brand new in 1974. And they were well made (a real boat) I considered buying it and installing a brand new engine and outdrive.. Would have been a good winter project.
But my Skibsplast is still for sale and I cant afford two boats.
 
Hi Ben,

Yes still about, lots going on. and yes still have the kingswift.

That's what the engines are for... time to get something decent!
 
Thanks for all of your replies.

So Outdrives it is then.

Have plenty of room for engine or engines, Was considering the work involved in fitting just one engine, but guess that one big engine would be better than 2 small ones.

She is quite beamy at 9 1/2ft and is built like a brick privy! very heavy layup as pre 1970's

Quite like the idea of single v6 or v8 petrol. as i doubt if i'll ever sell her.

maybe a visit to the boat show next year....

Thanks all.
 
Swordfish said:
Your engine choice will depend mainly on the power you require.
I changed a petrol V8 in a 25' Bayliner to a much smaller diesel and am very pleased with the result and fuel consumption.
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Hi Swordfish,

I thought your extended hull bouncy was impressive , add to it your re engine project and I'm thinking you could post a great dedicated thread on your Bayliner modification and enhanced performance ...........please ?

Or do you have a link to an existing thread Ive missed



cheers
Pete
 
aztec said:
So Outdrives it is then.

Have plenty of room for engine or engines, Was considering the work involved in fitting just one engine, but guess that one big engine would be better than 2 small ones.

She is quite beamy at 9 1/2ft and is built like a brick privy! very heavy layup as pre 1970's

Quite like the idea of single v6 or v8 petrol. as i doubt if i'll ever sell her.

maybe a visit to the boat show next year....

Thanks all.
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I went through a similar process last year with my 1969 Triana 25, broke a cambelt on one of the 16v Volvo 171's [very common on those, the proverbial timebomb]. I looked seriously at modern small powerful diesels but in an old boat they are massively expensive [£30-£40k] and you'll never get your money back either in resale value or fuel savings.

So instead I went for a single V8 petrol, I chose a Mercruiser 454 Magnum updated it to the latest Holley HP EFi system and mated it to a Volvo 290 DP duoprop. Of course it's a lot of work but if you do it yourself you will end up with a good reliable relatively economical boat.
 
aztec said:
Now that sounds good to me.

Now where do i look for one of those???
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I dug one up after looking in all the usual places - ebay, boats & outboards, boatmad, offshore only, freeads etc. found a closed cooled one that needed a freshen up. If you find a carb one I have got a full MPi system in the shed.

Not sure about a Samurai GM Diesel but if you are happy with turbos perhaps this would do? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chevrolet-454-V8-Marine-Engine-Twin-Turbo-600-BHP-5-000-rpm-fully-rebuilt-/120993549413?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D3755988019324819474%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D4%26sd%3D261129221169%26


On the other hand if you want a proper diesel engine then maybe this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seatek-Navy-660hp-Marine-Diesel-Engine-and-Gearbox-/251187082161?pt=UK_Power_Boats&hash=item3a7beab3b1 Dunno where you'll find a box and shafts [or outdrive??] to suit either one.
 
Scarron said:
I dug one up after looking in all the usual places - ebay, boats & outboards, boatmad, offshore only, freeads etc. found a closed cooled one that needed a freshen up. If you find a carb one I have got a full MPi system in the shed.

Not sure about a Samurai GM Diesel but if you are happy with turbos perhaps this would do? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chevrolet-454-V8-Marine-Engine-Twin-Turbo-600-BHP-5-000-rpm-fully-rebuilt-/120993549413?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D3755988019324819474%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D4%26sd%3D261129221169%26



On the other hand if you want a proper diesel engine then maybe this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seatek-Navy-660hp-Marine-Diesel-Engine-and-Gearbox-/251187082161?pt=UK_Power_Boats&hash=item3a7beab3b1 Dunno where you'll find a box and shafts [or outdrive??] to suit either one.
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When GM 6.2 was mentioned thought you were having a larf at the expense of OP, now confirmed......
 
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