Engines

[Wansworth]

Not being of a mechanical bent I have found engine maintenance always a big problem but looking at those YouTube films of assembling engines it looks so easy,shoehorning an engine into the space available after considering other features like beds,galley layout etc as more important does not seem to be the right way to design yacht interiors.If I could get at my engine easilyI sure it would be better maintained and more fun to do so.

 

[johnalison]

I think that boats have generally got better in this respect. The Volvo 200x series was very easy because everything was on the front of the engine, and aft cabins have given more access around many engines. I did once visit a friend's 40ft boat of American design where the boat had to be cut open if one wanted to change or remove the engine.

 

[newtothis]

Not being of a mechanical bent I have found engine maintenance always a big problem but looking at those YouTube films of assembling engines it looks so easy,shoehorning an engine into the space available after considering other features like beds,galley layout etc as more important does not seem to be the right way to design yacht interiors.If I could get at my engine easilyI sure it would be better maintained and more fun to do so.

I was on a NZ-built 40-ft yacht in January that had the engine sited well forward in a box by the galley. Whole box lifted off to reveal the donk. Old-ish design with no aft-cabins but v easy to service the engine. Seems to make sense to put that weight nearer the keel too, but does take up accommodation space.

 

[Wansworth]

Yes on some fin and skeg designs the saloon table sits over the engine with the prop exiting just aft of the keel perfect all round access

 

[rotrax]

I was on a NZ-built 40-ft yacht in January that had the engine sited well forward in a box by the galley. Whole box lifted off to reveal the donk. Old-ish design with no aft-cabins but v easy to service the engine. Seems to make sense to put that weight nearer the keel too, but does take up accommodation space.

Our NZ boat, a steel Hartley 32 has the engine in a conventional place, just behind the conpanionway steps, but mounted high enough to remove the sump. Two years ago I had to pull the con-rods and pistons, an easy job with the Bukh DV 20 situated like that.

 

[Tomaret]

I did once visit a friend's 40ft boat of American design where the boat had to be cut open if one wanted to change or remove the engine.

Isn’t the same true of some of the RN’s ships too?

 

[pagoda]

Isn’t the same true of some of the RN’s ships too?

and almost anything commercial?

I watched a fishing boat having an engine swap. They gas- axed a panel out of the lower hull, removed it and brought in a beefy forklift which removed the old engine. In under 24 hours the new engine was in place. The panel was welded back in place and some paint applied. Lift to re-launch in under 2 days. Not very elegant but pretty dam**ed efficient work?

 

[capnsensible]

Isn’t the same true of some of the RN’s ships too?

Certainly was on submarines in refit. Especially for the box of magic moonbeams.

 

[capnsensible]

My centre cockpit moody 33 has a deck that can be removed. Did that when I binned the old leyland engine and fitted a nice shiny yanmar. Now got room for a party.

 

[prv]

Yes on some fin and skeg designs the saloon table sits over the engine with the prop exiting just aft of the keel perfect all round access

Good access, but presumably a risk of getting oil, grease, and diesel on the furnishings unless you carefully mask the place up first?

Ariam has a "stoop-through" passage to the small aft cabin, which passes along the port side of the engine. Stupidly, when the boat was built, this was a solid bulkhead with no access for maintenance, but I built a new one with two large doors:


(The doors can lift off their hinges to give wider access when needed)

Since the sole of this passage is GRP and wood-effect laminate, and there are no soft furnishings in the area, I can spill and wipe up modest quantities of oil and fuel during servicing without making any permanent stains.

Access to the aft side of the engine and the gearbox is excellent, as is the front via the normal lift-off steps. Access to the port side of the engine is pretty good (there's a bit of joinery structure in the way, but it doesn't block anything important). All the ancillaries like fuel tank, calorifier plumbing, fuel filters, fuel primer pump, raw water strainer, anti-siphon valve, and coolant header tank are in the space aft of the engine, in front of the main new door, and access is excellent.

Getting at the starboard side of the engine isn't so good, but I've fitted a remote oil filter and sump drain and moved the fuel filter that was mounted on that side, so there's nothing there I need to access often anyway, just one of the coolant drains when changing it every few years.

I reckon a passage like this and big doors into the engine bay is the best of the typical layouts - good access without ending up dismantling an engine in the middle of your living room. The Halberg Rassy 36 does the same thing even better with oodles of space on all sides of the engine - it looked like it was lonely in there on the 36 I helped deliver

Pete

 

[Tomahawk]

The engines on Tomahawk are a nightmare..
Barely 4” each side with access only over the back.

 

[tjbrace]

Our First38s5 has removable panels each side and rear and has removable steps at the front, so ggood access allround. There is not much room above though making the oil fill a bit messy. Engine is Yanmar 3GM30F.

 

[Kelpie]

Our boat, in common with many S&S designs, has the engine in the saloon, so brilliant access. I suppose it must be a bit noisier and it does occupy a bit of cabin space, but it's a trade-off that I'm very happy with.

The easy access means that checking the exhaust bend, or the gearbox oil, etc, can be done routinely without any effort. Things that might be neglected on a more conventional installation...

 

[Poignard]

Our NZ boat, a steel Hartley 32 has the engine in a conventional place, just behind the conpanionway steps, but mounted high enough to remove the sump. Two years ago I had to pull the con-rods and pistons, an easy job with the Bukh DV 20 situated like that.

Yes, my BUKH DV10 is quite easy to work on even though the boat is only 28 feet long and narrow. A couple of years ago I was able to fit a new cylinder liner and piston with the engine in situ.

 

[BrianH]

My HR94 motor-sailor has a hinged panel in the cockpit sole that allows good engine access. One can step down and work on most components although the starboard side has more space. That is in addition to the companionway steps that can be removed to access the forward engine area, which is rarely needed.

I prefer the engine, with its heat and noise, even with plenty of insulation, as far away from the cabin as possible, which this configuration achieves.

 

[KellysEye]

We carried this for long distance sailing it tells you everything about electrical and mechanical things. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Boatowners-Mechanical-Electrical-Manual-Essential/dp/0713672269

 

[langstonelayabout]

Especially for the box of magic moonbeams.

I thought that is the bit that no-one wants to service once it's been switched on.

Lead-lined spanners anyone?

 

[PetiteFleur]

My centre cockpit moody 33 has a deck that can be removed. Did that when I binned the old leyland engine and fitted a nice shiny yanmar. Now got room for a party.

Me also, dead easy to remove the engine and it has more room around it as the new engine is much smaller - Mind you I did add a 'door behind the companionway ladder to get even better access. I suspect the previous owner NEVER changed the oil on the old BMC 1.5 as it was like tar when I tried to drain it...