Old broken engines

[bendyone]

What happens when the engines in an older boat finally give up and the cost of replacement is too great to justify.
Just doing a bit of daydreaming but could for instance an old Princess 37 or 42 ( 1980's) be brought for peanuts and the engines replaced with smaller units for use on a canal?

 

[jrudge]

Possibly but a number of non professional points of view

1. the engines form part of the balast of the boat. Removal of big lumps and putting in small ones, and I assume only carrying small amounts of fuel might give rise to stability issues.

2. Would this really be economic. The boat will be a canal cruiser and as such when you come to sell the market will be very very small ( it is already an old boat, but not an old non standard boat)

Now this will really depend on maths - how much you buy the boat for, how much the engines cost and what you need to destroy to get the old engines out / new ones in.

 

[bendyone]

For instance
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291472400936?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

a lot of boat for the money but the engines would be too big for canal use. But fitted with a pair of say 30 / 40HP , cost £20K and kept till i die.

 

[Whitelighter]

Those 2005 TAMD63Ps must be worth £15-20k

 

[BruceK]

She was re-engined in 2005. I'd be dismayed if the engines were FUBER already.

 

[ontheplane]

I am assuming OP meant a boat LIKE that one - but with fuber engines already that could be bought for 10k say

I've often looked at it - but more find something with knackered petrol (single) and re-engine with a potent diesel.

No matter how I work it out though it always come to = not worth it + poor return on investment!

 

[bendyone]

I am assuming OP meant a boat LIKE that one - but with fuber engines already that could be bought for 10k say

I've often looked at it - but more find something with knackered petrol (single) and re-engine with a potent diesel.

No matter how I work it out though it always come to = not worth it + poor return on investment!

Yes a boat like that at £10K and fit 2 small engines, a boat to keep and use and not worry about the resale value

 

[BruceK]

While boat hunting I came across a Sealine 290 in the Broads that had been re-engined for the local waterways with twin marinised Ford Transit diesels from Lancing Marine. Those diesels IIRC were comparatively cheap. http://www.lancingmarine.com/bargain_list.pdf.
There were also a couple of old 27' Targa Sunfury's etc that had a similar single conversion so I imagine it's not that uncommon. All however were going for less than their counterparts in original (and worn out) condition so no return on investment but doable without breaking the bank.

 

[Searush]

If for UK canals (I suspect not) don't forget there is a 2mtr max beam on locks, most twin engine mobos are much wider than that.

 

[bendyone]

If for UK canals (I suspect not) don't forget there is a 2mtr max beam on locks, most twin engine mobos are much wider than that.

Probably for the French canals but not for a few years time. maybe even without an engine - floating cottage.

 

[wofforduk]

It can definitely be done.

But in my experience, what it really boils down to are three factors.
1. Preparedness to wait
2. Doing the work ( or at least a good chunk of it) yourself
3. Being a very lucky bugger and waiting for deals to crop up (not just for the boat, but for engines ect)

Know this from doing it myself! posted here a while back http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...-on-a-budget&p=4840250&highlight=#post4840250

 

[volvopaul]

I remember the Princess 41 it was on the upper Hamble and sold I think through Solent Motor yachts, someone must hav loved that boat to spend a massive amount re engineering it like that , the boat would have had The 60 B or60C motors in, it's well powered up now maybe enough to make it chine ride flat out.

 

[ProDave]

If for UK canals (I suspect not) don't forget there is a 2mtr max beam on locks, most twin engine mobos are much wider than that.

I was about to point that out, and even some of the wider canals will still have very limited air draft under bridges and through tunnels.

But the boat being talked about will be fine as a river cruiser.

 

[rosssavage]

Reverse the question!!! Buy that P41, bin the boat and resell the engines at a profit...

 

[rosssavage]

In fact I might buy it, swap the engines with my TAMD61A powered boat and resell the P41 with my 61's in...

Mmmm, that might actually work financially.