Petter mini twin 12HP engine

[CarlMc]

Good afternoon,
I am new to the forum and going to view a Colvic Sailer 26 on Monday and if purchased it will be my first ever yacht. It's a 1981 and is fitted with the original Petter mini twin 12HP engine. I will be asking if it's been regularly serviced and if it's ever had an overhaul but my worry is if it goes pear shaped with it being 36 years old. I will only have the sellers word on it and I don't want to be stuck with a floating caravan and all the hassle & expense of a new or re-con engine to find & get fitted. I understand that if engines are serviced regular and winterised etc they can be reliable but I would never really know if this engine as or not. My question is, am I being over cautious or better to find one with a replacement engine fitted for more money? Many thanks, Carl.

 

[sailorman]

Hi & welcome
The Minitwin was never the best of engines imo. It might be worth doing an internet search.
Dont rush in, good luck & enjoy what ever you buy

 

[CarlMc]

Thanks sailorman, I'm collating as much info as i can but I have to say there's not too much about these on the web.

 

[Paddy Layback]

If you don't want to re-engine her, walk away, get another boat, there are plenty out there.
A Petter Mini Twin will be grief from day 1, Sailorman is being diplomatic they are dire motors, at least old, thrashed examples, (which are all that exist).
If you insist, have a search for spares availability, you will be needing some..
Speaking from experience by the way!

 

[CarlMc]

Cheers Paddy, fair point made. I will keep an open mind and not rush in.

 

[Georgio]

Unless the boat is very cheap (to reflect that the engine will need replacing shortly) I would find another boat. The owner will probably insist that it's been rebuilt/well looked after/loved to death but assume the worst.

That said, if the rest of the boat is good there is nothing wrong with a cheeky offer giving you some cash to put into a new engine when (not if) it gives up.

 

[CarlMc]

Thanks Georgio, it's going for around £1500 - £2000 less than any other I can find and I'm going to have the attitude of "when it gives up" so I'm prepared when making an offer.

 

[sailorman]

A new replacement will be in the region of £5k

 

[CarlMc]

Out weighs the cost of the purchase. Even a recon engine/used with fitting will put the price up. I'm going to view it to gather some experience if nothing else but I'm leaning towards a more expensive one but with a more recent engine and hopefully less hassle.

 

[sailorman]

Out weighs the cost of the purchase. Even a recon engine/used with fitting will put the price up. I'm going to view it to gather some experience if nothing else but I'm leaning towards a more expensive one but with a more recent engine and hopefully less hassle.

The Colvic 26 isnt the fastest passage maker either.
where do you propose to keep her

 

[neil_s]

You could factor 'fitting an emergency outboard motor' into your offer plan.

 

[Tranona]

As already said the Petter is not a good engine. its biggest weakness is aluminium in construction of the basic engine. Amazing it has lasted so long. It is also one of the most difficult engines to replace with a modern engine as the footprint is very different so needs new bearers. I was involved in replacing a Mini6 (single cylinder version with a Yanmar. The Petter had a gearbox that was offset meaning the engine was not on the centreline and the boat's longitudinal bulkheads had to be remade as well as the bearers to get the Yanmar to line up with the shaft.

The Colvic is really too big for an outboard, so a replacement inboard is the only practical option with all the hassle and cost this involves.

 

[CarlMc]

It would be Sunderland or Hartlepool Sailorman.

 

[CarlMc]

Worth considering neil-s.

 

[CarlMc]

Thanks for the input Tranona, the thought of purchasing cheaper then having to replace the engine is becoming more off putting by the minute. I think it's spend more for one that's had a replacement.

 

[sailorman]

It would be Sunderland or Hartlepool Sailorman.

deep water berth ??

 

[CarlMc]

2m depth. I'm also considering Seaham but only 1.5m so limited with that one.

 

[sailorman]

2m depth. I'm also considering Seaham but only 1.5m so limited with that one.

The majority of Colvic`s of this size, will have been home builds of vastly varying quality
I would be looking for a boat with some pace to it, fun to sail after all thats what sailing is all about. The faster the longer legs she will have so cruising greater distances for the same time of plodder will get in a few hrs

 

[prv]

I would be looking for a boat with some pace to it

Doesn't mean that's what the OP's looking for, though.

Pete

 

[sailorman]

Doesn't mean that's what the OP's looking for, though.

Pete

It may give him some food for thought