Life expectancy of a Volvo Penta MD2020

[Duncancw]

I'm looking to purchase a Bavaria 32 (2002) which has a 19HP Volvo Penta MD2020. I am a little concerned that the engine is slightly underpowered for a boat that is nearly 34ft long and has a displacement of 3,750 kg .

What is the life expectancy of the engine - she currently has approx 2,000 recorded hours.

 

[john_morris_uk]

It completely depends on how well it's been maintained. IMHO.

2000 hours is just run in on some Diesel engines. Get the compressions checked and an oil analysis? What records are there of maintenance? I'm not convinced that the boat's underpowered. Firstly it's supposed to be an auxiliary diesel and secondly, diesels like to be worked hard.

The fashion seems to be for bigger and bigger engines and I'm not sure why?

 

[Ammonite]

I'm looking to purchase a Bavaria 32 (2002) which has a 19HP Volvo Penta MD2020. I am a little concerned that the engine is slightly underpowered for a boat that is nearly 34ft long and has a displacement of 3,750 kg .

What is the life expectancy of the engine - she currently has approx 2,000 recorded hours.

Around 8000 hours according to several other posts on here but its maintenance that is key. 20hp is also perfectly adequate for that size / displacement. Friend's Bav 33 cruiser has the same sized engine and that is over 5000kg

 

[[70521]]

Hello and Welcome to the Forum.

I have a VP2002, 18 HP, it is 36 years old, has unknown hours and runs as sweet as a nut. Simple to service and no fancy electronics to deal with.

Boat is a Gib'Sea 96 Master 10.1 meters (33ft in old money) about 5 tonne all up and gets pushed along at 5.5 knots.

 

[Bobc]

That is a perfectly acceptable engine for that boat, and should have 8000,10000 hours of use, so just about run-in.

2 things kill boat engines:-

1./ Under-use. I would rather buy an 18 year-old boat with 2,000 hours on, than one with 500 hours on. Bear in mind that 2,000 hours over 18 years is only 120hrs/yr. What kills marine engine is rot/corrosion through lack of use, not through wearing out.

2./ Under-loading. The most common problems that marine engines suffer is coking-up due to not being pushed hard enough, and cylinder bore glazing, due to not being pushed hard enough. Better to have a small engine and work it, than a big one that's just ticking over, quietly killing itself.

 

[lustyd]

+1 for that being the right size engine.

My approach is to look at the engine from the front. If it's rusty and oily then it will probably have a shorter life. If it's nicely painted and clean then someone has obviously looked after it well. Obviously that's very superficial but it's a good start. Engine life won't be based on hours or age in most cases, it'll be failure due to components going bad

 

[Bobc]

BTW, I actually know someone with a Bav32 with that engine, and it's just fine.

 

[SteveA]

BTW, I actually know someone with a Bav32 with that engine, and it's just fine.

I have a Maxi 1000 , which is a bit heavier than the Bav, with the same engine and I have found it more than adequate. No idea of engine hours but from 1995, starts first time and runs as sweet as a nut!

 

[Tranona]

My 2030 in a Bav 37 did 3500 hours in its first 8 years. no issues and still ran like new. as already suggested life is determined by how well it is used and maintained. Cruise at 2400rpm, change oil and filter every 150 hours or 1 year and avoid short running periods. Worth checking the exhaust elbow when you buy and replace with a stainless one if it is coked up or corroding. As with just about all small diesels, look out for water pump seals dripping and blocked heat exchangers.

Engine is right size for the boat. Bavaria (and others fitted it to boats up to 5000kgs as standard and only offered the 29hp as option at about that displacement. The standard prop should allow you to reach 3600rpm and 6.7 knots and cruise at 2400 and between 5-5.5 knots. so plenty of power in reserve.

 

[Duncancw]

Hi everyone

Wow, this is the first time I've posted anything and I didn't expect to get so many great responses in such a short space of time!

I have spoken to Nick at Darglow (really helpful bloke) about replacing the standard 2 blade prop for a three blade FeatherStream as that should give me an increase in speed and eliminate prop drag when sailing. However, It is a considerable expense, based on the post from Tranona I starting to wonder if it's necessary?

 

[[70521]]

I have spoken to Nick at Darglow (really helpful bloke) about replacing the standard 2 blade prop for a three blade FeatherStream as that should give me an increase in speed and eliminate prop drag when sailing. However, It is a considerable expense, based on the post from Tranona I starting to wonder if it's necessary?

I replaced my two blade fixed with a two blade folding one. Gained 1/2 a knot and no whurrrrrr whurrrrr noise that started at 4.8 knots, resulting in me keeping my sanity.

 

[Ammonite]

Another vote for the featherstream. I found it didnt make much difference to motoring performance when fitted to beta 20hp except in reverse which is much better and in a F4/5+ you wont notice the difference when sailing but it will give you 0.5 - 1.0 knots in lighter winds and means you will find yourself able to sail a lot more often rather than resorting to the donk

Edit: my example is based on switching from a 3 blade fixed so you will probably see a slight increase in motoring performance if switching from a two blade particularly if there is any chop. The biggest plus is still light wind sailing performance though

 

[Bobc]

Hi everyone

Wow, this is the first time I've posted anything and I didn't expect to get so many great responses in such a short space of time!

I have spoken to Nick at Darglow (really helpful bloke) about replacing the standard 2 blade prop for a three blade FeatherStream as that should give me an increase in speed and eliminate prop drag when sailing. However, It is a considerable expense, based on the post from Tranona I starting to wonder if it's necessary?

Just buy the boat first and see how you get on. I lived with a fixed prop on my Bavaria for 16 years, including 2 transats.

 

[ip485]

If you are concerned you could do a compression test and oil analysis (whatever oil is in the engine before it is changed). At least this will give a reasonable indication if there are any hidden problems on what is otherwise a young engine.

 

[johnalison]

The 18hp Volvo was the primary option for the Bav 34. A friend who bought one specified the 27hp 2030. I think that for the 34 this was the right choice but for a 32 the 18 would be a natural choice. It is tricky, because it comes between the two. If it were me, I would go for the 18 but specify the best 3-bladed folding prop I could get, which would be the best compromise.

 

[Daydream believer]

My year 2003 supplied MD 2020 on a 31 ft boat nominal 3900KG plus gear. 5000 hours. compression 420 420 & 400 Just had new injectors & tappets adjusted (for first time). Just fitted 3rd exhaust elbow. Apart from raw water pump issues ( 1 new shaft plus 3 sets seals plus 1 cover) & 3 services of the alternator (at £ 100) each time & a broken engine bracket, it has been excellent. Knocks out alternator belts often.

Following recent service runs like sewing machine. When hull is clean gives 6kts at 2000/2100 rpm & 1.9 litres per hour. I can get 7.2 kts at 3100 rpm max ( cannot get 3500 with current prop) in canals but I rarely try that.
If I run at 2300 rpm (when the coppercoat begins to fail after 3 months) fuel consumption jumps to 2.3 litre per hour & speed drops to 5.9 kts because of the weed. Prop is Brunton Autoprop

3 volvo engineers say that they have seen MD 2020's being scrapped at 1500 hours due to non use & lack of maintenance. They say mine has probably lasted due to being used & maintained

 

[Tranona]

Hi everyone

Wow, this is the first time I've posted anything and I didn't expect to get so many great responses in such a short space of time!

I have spoken to Nick at Darglow (really helpful bloke) about replacing the standard 2 blade prop for a three blade FeatherStream as that should give me an increase in speed and eliminate prop drag when sailing. However, It is a considerable expense, based on the post from Tranona I starting to wonder if it's necessary?

A Feather stream will likely give you a bit more punch in adverse conditions but not change the absolute speeds much. Probably better thrust in reverse after the initial slight delay, but largely because it is 3 blade. Less grag under sail of course. I have a 2 blade FlexOfold (also from Darglow) first on the 2030 and now on a D1 30 and at least as good as the 2 blade fixed it replaced.

Agree with Bob. Buy the boat and use it for a season before you splash out on an expensive prop

Good boat the 32 - one of Bavaria's best.

 

[wully1]

I was looking at Bav 32/34 before having a word with myself and buying a Storm and one question during research that came up was concern over the Bav being under powered with the smaller engine. For me it wasn’t a consideration as the only time it would be an issue would be if I had to bash into a head wind. When in the past I’ve had to get somewhere into a head wind/ sea state sailing was almost as quick and much more comfortable. Now I don’t have work to get back to it’s no longer a consideration.
I would go for the feathering prop option though - makes no sense to sail around dragging a bucket under the boat.

(and I’m NOT Bavaria bashing, I’m sure I’d have been very happy with one but after looking at a few of both the Storm just felt like a much nicer boat all over. Older for sure with more maintenance potential, cheaper, warmer, drier feeling inside.
BTW my boat was re engined with a 30 hp rather than the standard 18 hp which seems to be the preferred size..)

 

[bitbaltic]

I’ve got the 2020 in a lighter boat (Hanse 301, nominally 3 tonnes but she weighs in at 4 tonnes fully loaded for cruising). I’ve had the boat/engine for 10 years and they are 20 years old this year. To be honest the engine has been maintained more than it’s been run in my ownership- I’d be surprised if I’ve put more than 500 hours on it (of course the counter is not working) but I’ve always fully serviced it annually. No major issues apart from consumables and the water pump shaft and seals as far as I remember.

basically it has always started perfectly, run perfectly and pushes the boat along really well and that’s all I know or want to know about it

 

[Rafiki]

I asked a similiar question to son-in-law who is a farmer and therefore uses a lot of diesel engined machinery. He said that a properly serviced diesel engine should be good for 10,000 hours.