New Saildrive?

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widgeon

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I am about to replace my Volvo MD2020. It has quite enough hours and, after complete exhaust elbow blockage, low compression and poor starting and I have lost confidence in it. It has a fairly ropy base-engine that doesn't seem to repay any investment in rebuilding.

I am most likely to replace it with a Beta 20 or 25 hp. Either can be supplied ready to mate to my Volvo 120s Saildrive or with its own, Beta Saildrive. There is nothing wrong with my existing Saildrive, that I know of, but I wonder whether there is a risk of 'new wine in old bottles' syndrome.

Should I splash out now on a complete unit or trust to getting lots more hours out of an apparently serviceable Saildrive? I intend to retire in a couple of years to do more long term sailing, so aim to spend now to live as frugally as you can, as a boat owner, in future.
 
I am surprised the 2020 is knackered, when I sold Stork III 3 years ago the engine was in fine fettle, 18oo hrs, and your engine is of same age,18 years. If the engine is knackered the saildrive is probably well worn as well, so I would replace it.
 
I have a Beta 20 with a Selva leg. Check out the anode prices for the new leg. Selva anodes are up to £80.00 a go. Also, I hear the Nanni is a better marinisation of the same engine possibly.
 
There are a number of things to consider, assuming your current engine is not worth spending money on.

Mating a new engine of another make to a 3000 hour obsolete drive may seriously affect the resale value of the boat - non Volvo engines in your boat would raise questions.

If you went for a Beta or Nanni the saildrive is a low volume proprietory drive and unlike the Volvo you may not be able to fit a rope cutter (if that is important to you).

If you stick to Volvo and fit a D20 to the existing drive you will have problems with the prop as the new engine is slower revving and therefore the new (130) drive has a different gearbox ratio. You will not be able to re-use your existing prop.

The best alternative is to bite the bullet and buy a complete new D20/130 package. You will get a matched set, and the new drive has a superior 2 piece anode. You may find that you can use your existing prop as the shaft speed is virtually the same as your current setup. To offset the cost you will have no trouble selling your 120 drive. A replacement is over £4k now and it is the new type, so for older engines a new prop is also needed. If the oil is clear and there are no signs of wear in the clutch pack you should get a very good price for it as it is a good buy for somebody with a failed 120 drive (guess how I know all this!). The old 2020 will also have a value. You may find that a Volvo dealer will give you a good trade in deal. Removal and fitting is about 12 hours labour for somebody who knows what he is doing.

Hope this helps.
 
Yes, my first instinct was to stick with Volvo. Unfortunately, even if I wanted to keep it, the D2 doesn't fit the 120S and the combined D2 plus 130 unit needs radical surgery to the boat. Apparently, the hole in the hull is very different as is its relationship to the bearers.
 
widgeon said:
Yes, my first instinct was to stick with Volvo. Unfortunately, even if I wanted to keep it, the D2 doesn't fit the 120S and the combined D2 plus 130 unit needs radical surgery to the boat. Apparently, the hole in the hull is very different as is its relationship to the bearers.
Click to expand...

Not sure either of those are correct. I have a 2030 and a 130 drive - straight replacement for the (failed) original 120, so don't see why it would not work the other way. Reason Volvo don't sell replacement complete 120s is the 130 is fully interchangeable as a unit, although as I mentioned the prop needs changing. Equally think the new package should go straight in. richard brennan who posts here replaced a 2030 and 120 with a D2-30 and a 130 without any major problems. He had a long thread running a couple of years ago discussing the options before deciding on replacing the complete unit as the best option. Speak to a Volvo dealer such as Marine Power in Hamble.
 
I did indeed replace a 2030 with a failed 120 drive with a new D1-30 engine and drive package. At the time Motortech at Port Solent were offering a 25% discount on the complete package and I was able to use my existing Volvo folding propeller as, as has been said, the engine is slowing revving but the drive ratio is different giving the same speed at the prop.

The engine slotted straight in with regard to the bearers and hull fitting. However, we had to remotely mount the header tank as there was not room in the engine compartment for it when mounted on the front of the engine, a common problem apparently, and the plumbing for the cooling system and calorfier also needed a fair amount of re-routing. The other thing to bear in mind is that the starter motor on the new engine requires a lot more current than that on the 2030 and this caused me problems with the start sequence cutting out until we beefed the cabling up considerably.

I think the 12 hours suggested for fitting may be optimistic, I was originally quoted 12-15 but was invoiced for 30 which was reduced to 22 and a half after I complained. I cannot remember the exact figure, but I got something like £700 for the old engine on Ebay, but one went for £1200 shortly before, so it's pot luck to a degree.

I would certainly speak to the various dealers who will be manning the Volvo stand at the SBS if you can get there; if you need more info do drop me a PM. I have been very pleased with the new engine so far, the only other thing to watch is when you have it installed as you can end up virtually having the annual service done twice as Volvo insist on a service to validate the warranty for a second year regardless of what has gone on before.
 
Habety

Hi, As a new owner of a Sadler 290 I was shocked by price of saildrive anode - note that you have posted on this situation- did you ever find an alternative to Betamarine?
One other question if you can help: have you ever changed saildrive seal as I note Selva recommendation is every 6 years, my boat is 8 years old with original equipment.

Thanks for any help
Ron
 
No, never did find an alternative, but have a lead on a Selva dealer in Holland so will let you know if that pans out.
I (local Beta guy actually) changed my saildrive seal after 8 years, and reckon I could do it myself next time.

Out of curiosity, what's your hull no.

Feel free to pm me with any other queries, enjoy your 290, I have been for 10 years!

Pete.
 
Just a thought but a number of people have reported rapid demise of sail drives due to current leakage on pontoons. Perhaps its worth keeping the old one because sods law says that if you fit a new un you will get this problem
 
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