Engine replacement VP 2003 for ???

benw

benw

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I am now in the market for a replacement engine - current VP2003 is now requiring major surgery so cost wise rather put boat tokens into a new one. A shame as I replaced the exhaust elbow in August 2025 on way back from our exploration West so has only done Falmouth back to to R Orwell this last season. The feet were replaced not long ago too!!!!!!
Anyway it seems like a Beta 30 is a good replacement - any thoughts from Beta owners? Sadly the VP 1-30 has the filters and serviceable bits on the stbd side so tricky to access and is 27hp.
I appreciate there will be mixed opinions and often based on what is installed when buying the boat. If anyone has installed recently it would be great to benefit from your insights - we are. Sigma 38.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
 
Beta 30 will be fine (I have one). You will probably need a new propeller and re-route the exhaust as the outlet is on the other side. There is more choice of reduction boxes and exhaust elbows with Beta plus brackets to mate to the 2003 mounting footprint, although there are other ways of modifying the beds depending on the specific boat. What boat is it? Mine is installed in a heavy 31' boat and by choosing the {RM box I was able to use a larger diameter propeller. The installer also reshaped the exhaust elbow to enable fitting the engine further back in the boat reducing the intrusion into the cabin. BTW the D1 30 has the same maximum HP but at lower RPM (3200) than the Beta and most other engines of that size.
 
benw said:
I am now in the market for a replacement engine - current VP2003 is now requiring major surgery so cost wise rather put boat tokens into a new one. A shame as I replaced the exhaust elbow in August 2025 on way back from our exploration West so has only done Falmouth back to to R Orwell this last season. The feet were replaced not long ago too!!!!!!
Anyway it seems like a Beta 30 is a good replacement - any thoughts from Beta owners? Sadly the VP 1-30 has the filters and serviceable bits on the stbd side so tricky to access and is 27hp.
I appreciate there will be mixed opinions and often based on what is installed when buying the boat. If anyone has installed recently it would be great to benefit from your insights - we are. Sigma 38.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
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Had Volvo ( 2003 and 2030) Yanmar and Beta. I wouldnt hesitate to go for another Beta if shaft drive. The company is good to deal with, the spare prices are way more reasonable than Volvo, the engine quality is if anything better since the basis is Kubota tractor and earthmoving kit produced in huge volume for commercial markets.

Beta are reliant as are Volvo on bought in Marinising bits, so for a saildrive I would tend towards Yanmar, the problem being that Beta were let down by originally specifying a Selva saildive
 
I'm impressed with my Beta 50, which replaced a VP engine.

Also impressed with support from Beta, and from TS Marine (who installed it).
 
Tranona said:
Same basic engine as a Beta but different marinisation. Not a lot to choose between them apart from colour and a different range of options.
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I was under the impression the heat exchangers were an improvement on the Beta set up?

I’d be interested in your opinion based on your usual knowledgeable content.
 
sigma38dave said:
I was under the impression the heat exchangers were an improvement on the Beta set up?

I’d be interested in your opinion based on your usual knowledgeable content.
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Yes, that is supposed to be the case. I have had both, but neither for long enough to know whether it really makes any difference. I would have fitted another Nanni this time, but they no longer have a decent dealer/installer in Poole so went to Beta. Glad I did because of the exhaust issue and the choice of a PRM gearbox. On the 30 the TMC40 is on its limit and for the 2.65 reduction the reverse is 2:1. Not a big issue as I have a Featherstream that can have different pitch in forward and reverse. The stronger TMC60 is bigger, heavier and different output height which would have made the installation even more tricky. The PRM is much stronger (will go up to 40hp) and is available 2.5:1 in both directions. Lots of things to consider when fitting a new engine.
 
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Tranona said:
Yes, that is supposed to be the case. I have had both, but neither for long enough to know whether it really makes any difference. I would have fitted another Nanni this time, but they no longer have a decent dealer/installer in Poole so went to Beta. Glad I did because of the exhaust issue and the choice of a PRM gearbox. On the 30 the TMC40 is on its limit and for the 2.65 reduction the reverse is 2:1. Not a big issue as I have a Featherstream that can have different pitch in forward and reverse. The stronger TMC is bigger, heavier and different output height which would have made the installation even more tricky. The PRM is much stronger (will go up to 40hp) and is available 2.5:1 in both directions. Lots of things to consider when fitting a new engine.
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Thanks. A R Peachment the Nanni dealer (who I've noted get a mixed bag of reviews on here) are reasonably local to us. Beta seem to get many excellent reviews about their advice and after sales.
 
sigma38dave said:
Researching this at the moment.

Nanni looking favourite so far.

Volvo 2003 | A R Peachment
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Tranona said:
Same basic engine as a Beta but different marinisation. Not a lot to choose between them apart from colour and a different range of options.
Click to expand...

Agree there's not much to choose between the two engines themselves, but -

(a) a few years back there were reports of serious problems getting hold of Nanni spares in the UK. I haven't seen mention of this more recently, so maybe that was only temporary and now solved.

(b) a friend had a new Nanni as a replacement engine, and was very pleased with the engine itself, but a lot less than pleased by details of the installation undertaken by Peachment themselves (who are also the UK importers, as I understand it).

(c) I was always impressed by the after sales service I received from Beta (and this for an engine installed by a previous owner, not me). I could ring up and immediately talk to someone who knew in detail what they were talking about, spares would be sent out same day and with me the next morning, etc. Others on here have reported similarly. On the basis of my experience, in the unlikely event I were re-engining Beta would certainly be my starting point.
 
LittleSister said:
If Peachment are reasonably local to you, then so are some Beta agents.
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Good point.

I've contacted several local marine engine specialists to try and get a quote, I started thinking a Volvo would be the easiest swap with the repowering kit for the feet but as Ben says the essentials are on the side with limited access.

It's too painful and tedious to go into detail but I've given up trying to instruct a professional.

I'm lucky to have two good mates with proper engineering skills that I'd rather not ask for help but could do if I get stuck!
 
benw said:
I am now in the market for a replacement engine - current VP2003 is now requiring major surgery so cost wise rather put boat tokens into a new one. A shame as I replaced the exhaust elbow in August 2025 on way back from our exploration West so has only done Falmouth back to to R Orwell this last season. The feet were replaced not long ago too!!!!!!
Anyway it seems like a Beta 30 is a good replacement - any thoughts from Beta owners? Sadly the VP 1-30 has the filters and serviceable bits on the stbd side so tricky to access and is 27hp.²
I appreciate there will be mixed opinions and often based on what is installed when buying the boat. If anyone has installed recently it would be great to benefit from your insights - we are. Sigma 38.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Click to expand...

Normally its six of one half dozen of the other. But in this case ( uneless there is a pressing engineering consideration) it's Beta by obout ten lengths.

.
 
barca nova said:
Had Volvo ( 2003 and 2030) Yanmar and Beta. I wouldnt hesitate to go for another Beta if shaft drive. The company is good to deal with, the spare prices are way more reasonable than Volvo, the engine quality is if anything better since the basis is Kubota tractor and earthmoving kit produced in huge volume for commercial markets.

Beta are reliant as are Volvo on bought in Marinising bits, so for a saildrive I would tend towards Yanmar, the problem being that Beta were let down by originally specifying a Selva saildive
Click to expand...
Yes it is a shaft drive on the Sigma 38.
 
Thanks all for your thoughts - getting closer to making a decision. Interesting to note the exhaust routing which had not clocked. Looks like an engine can be supplied in three weeks so removal of the 2003 and install of new Beta will keep the planned new season launch date possible.
 
A properly refurbished 2003 will just slot in and give you another 20 years use for a couple of thousand. No electronics, beast you know, spares you have.
 
I replaced mine with a Beta. I was considering refurbishment but the cost would have been 2/3 the price of a new engine and there are no guarantee it could in a few months.
 
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