New engine, is it worth it?

[ChromeDome]

Avoid a cam belted ex car engine , go for a Vetus or Perkins gear given ( valve gear ) diesel .
Given a choice avoid a modern ECU infested early parts redundancy diesel like the todays VP D series .

If you want to avoid cam belts or computerized engine management you need to focus on the base engine, not the marinizing private label owner. A given engine with or without said features will have this regardless of the name or colour of the spray added afterwards.

While I understand that people don't like cam belts, I have to say that they haven't given me the slightest problem. The boat is from 2004, under 19 years old, this has resulted in two scheduled belt replacements. Due diligence, none of the removed parts have shown the slightest sign of wear.
True, I have reasonable access to the engines, but the engine manufacturer can't take credit for that.
All in all it took 2-3 hours to change both engines' belts, including the tensioner rollers.

 

[38mess]

Great little engine these are. Can't imagine why you would want to replace it. As long as it starts, stops, doesn't smoke too much or use excessive amounts of oil if it was me I would keep it.

 

[oldgit]

Purchased a 1982 Princess 33 in 2002 with pair of 125HP 40B . 1951 hours on the clocks.
Sold in 2010 with 3300 hours on the clock.
Never used any oil between oil changes and apart from an alternator or two and a starter motor not a single thing went wrong.
The smoke on start up was hardly noticeable either .
Also owned a Princess 35 with pair of 41B (200 HP ) added nearly 1000 hours, similar story and maybe a bit less smoke.
The only reason both the boats went was simply down to wanting a more modern and "nicer" interior.
Vague memories of viewing a P 33 with around 6000 hours on the clocks. A bit leggy even for me.

 

[[165042]]

Personally I'd look at buying a newer boat rather than re-engine. A ten-year newer 310 with a reliable Yanmar 4LH-STE can be had for around £70k.

 

[oldgit]

Personally I'd look at buying a newer boat rather than re-engine. A ten-year newer 310 with a reliable Yanmar 4LH-STE can be had for around £70k.

FWIW.
Agree stick with what you have.... or change boat ?
One comment, always regarded the Nimbus as a practical proper boat , decent side decks etc and well constructed, similar to the Princess and Fairlines of that era and not a sad victim of a design studio , as opposed to a marine architect ?
Suspect that Nimbus was one of the last mass market builders to design a boat, add up how much it cost to build, and then add a percentage to arrive at the selling price, as opposed to the practice of finding out what the opposition was selling a particular size of boat at, then building a boat just under that target price using as much sticky back plastic and Evo Stik as would keep the boat looking presentable, at least until the second owner.
As for powerplants your more "modern" engine is going to be more complicated and will require more frequent maintainance and would suggest that for the normal 50 hour a year skipper, any extra fuel economy is going to BE marginal to say the least.
The downside is getting bits, would suggest the aftermarket demand for the hundreds of thousands of 40/41 engines will be around for many many years to to come
Funny squeaking noise coming from those electo mechanical clutches, on your modern engine, anyone ? Time to get your wallet out and fast.

 

[volvopaul]

For what it would cost to fully rebuild your 41 you wouldn’t get a new one . Plus you’re not going into the electronic age of problems that plague new boats .

 

[[165042]]

Personally I'd look at buying a newer boat rather than re-engine. A ten-year newer 310 with a reliable Yanmar 4LH-STE can be had for around £70k.

Looks like £55k will get you one though could do with updating:

1998 Nimbus 310 - Conwy | Boatshop24 UK

 

[colhel]

Looks like £55k will get you one though could do with updating:

1998 Nimbus 310 - Conwy | Boatshop24 UK

Just shows how much styling and layouts changed in ten years. Oh how I wish for a transom door!