Re engine a 30ft sailing boat

[Geoff A]

I am interested in a 30ft sailing boat the problem is it has a Yanmar 30hp diesel engine (fitted 1996). This seems very old for a boat engine. I would like to have a rough idea of the total cost for a new engine complete with fitting. Thanks for any help and advice.

 

[Pete7]

Geoff, that is only just run in. In the 30hp range likely to be £5-6k for the engine and another £1k for fitting, £250 for a new propshaft if needed.

Pete

 

[Halo]

It all depends on how it has been used and maintained. Regular oil and filter changes, regular coolant changes and not running idle and it should last many many years of normal usage

 

[Malish]

Repeating Halo slightly..

engine hours? any evidence of regular servicing? do the filters (oil and fuel) look newish (subjective I know)? what brand are the filters? how clean is the engine bay? colour of the oil - black or golden brown. If golden brown, is there a record of a recent oil change?

 

[Geoff A]

The boat is the other side of the country from me. All know about the engine is what you know ,Type HP and year it was fitted. I have not contacted any one yet as I am waiting for a reply about another boat I have made enquiries about. I am getting my ducks in a row at the moment with regards to thIs one with the 1996 engine. Thankyou all for the replies'

 

[Laysula]

My Yanmar 30hp is 1993 and runs very sweetly. Superb engine.

 

[fredrussell]

I’ve got the same engine in my boat. 31 years old and runs beautifully. There’s a reason Yanmar engines cost a bit more than some. Well, two possible reasons I suppose: superior product or clever marketing. I vote for the former.

 

[LittleSister]

You shouldn't assume a 1996 engine is on its last legs!

Yacht engines rarely wear out. They mostly die of neglect, abuse, accident, or can be so long lived spares are no longer available.

My 1979 Bukh runs fine.

 

[superheat6k]

I changed the engine on my last sailing boat. Do not under estimate just how much work is involved and if you expect to pay someone else to do it I would suggest allowing whatever the engine costs (new) x 2.

I have given these tasks a difficulty score where 10 is the most difficult ...

1 Lift out D5 (subject to how much dismantling is required to get the crane or hoist over the engine.
2 Mount arrangements to suit the new engine and in line with the gearbox / or shaft central line - D10
3 Lift in D6 (it will always be harder to bring the new one in, and some further attention at 2 might be needed)
4 Exhaust arrangement D5
5 Cooling water arrangement D3
6 Electrical hook ups D5
7 Mechanical controls hook ups D4
8 Fuel supply & return pipes D3
9 Enclosure and sound proofing D4

As suggested, a 1996 engine is by no means ancient on a boat, and is likely just about run in.

 

[Laysula]

If you can get the vendor to send you a couple of pics and possibly a video It should give you a better idea. If it looks good clean and tidy It's a fair chance it's a good one.

 

[Tranona]

I have just done this with a Beta 30. Engine was £6700, Removal and fitting £1500, "extras" which are often essential because things don't match or are worn out £500-1000. Engine prices have just gone up bought mine last April) and although there may be "offers" around all the 4 major engines (Beta, Volvo, Nanni, Yanmar) are priced +/- 5%. Nothing special or different about Yanmar compared with the others although a replacement may be easier depending on the model, although the current YM series is different from the GM that will be. You are likely to get between £1500-2000 for the old engine if it is in decent running order - but if it is don't change it! I got £1500 for the Perkins/Volvo I replaced.

Having said all that if it has been well looked after it is less than halfway through its expected life and as others say is an excellent engine though maybe not as refined as the latest designs.

 

[LittleSister]

an excellent engine though maybe not as refined as the latest designs.

Surely you mean 'which exhibits traditional character and virtues'?

 

[Tranona]

Yes, but not as much as the Renault Couach (Hatz based) unit that was featured in a recent thread.
youtube.com/watch?v=vIm5e8rKdZs

Enjoy!

 

[Blueboatman]

You want the freshwater cooled not raw water cooled one of course . Which is it ?

Ringfence a replacement 5-10k fund by all means
Or hussle for discount based on ‘what if..?’

But -If it starts on the button and neither smokes steams nor overheats nor underperforms when loaded flat out for minutes and then Idles sweetly … just saying …?
And if it is rust free, drip free and mangled nut and bolt free..?
And if it’s had 4 replacement engine rubber mounts and a raw water pump/seal rebuild … ?

And so for a start, a video of the engine starting ( with a thermometer on the cylinder head in the vid to show it is actually starting from cold .). might be one good starting point for requesting further information …?

Fwiw one of my preferred motors and one that gave me years of untroubled service when already 18 years old …

 

[Aquanaught]

I re-engined with a Beta 30 last year as the previous VP 2030 was beyond economic repair - it required a complete stip down and rebuild following a failed exhaust manifold and would have cost at least 50% new price plus many more unknown costs not apparant until dismantled. I decided to bite the bullet and go for new. Total cost of the new engine, all new hoses, exhaust etc. including labour, yard fees was not much short of £10k!

 

[Daydream believer]

My volvo 2020 MD has clocked almost 5000 hours. But it has been used & looked after. Volspec tell me that they have had the same model with only 1500 hours that have had to be replaced as they have not been used & not been looked after. So one has to see the engine running to make a decision.
I was Quoted just over £8K for a new MD2030 with sail drive late 2021, supply only, when I was considering upgrading. I think the figure of £10k fitted ,quoted above is realistic.
However, new injectors, exhaust elbow & some maintenance has meant it was not needed- Yet

 

[Rappey]

. There’s a reason Yanmar engines cost a bit more than some

Yeah, clever marketing to fleece the people that still believe one of the most expensive is best and then you constantly get fleeced each time you buy parts.
My morris diesel (bmc) is about to celebrate it's 58th birthday and has never put a foot wrong in my 30 years of ownership. Millions of hindustan taxis can't be wrong ? On the rare occasion you do treat it to parts its like they have taken a zero off the price ..
My friends boat has a 1996(ish) yanmar and it purrs, but has not escaped the water pump and starter motor price fleecing..

 

[jwfrary]

I find yanmar parts are expensive but they are also availible, which is more than you can say for some!

If the unit is running well, or even if it is running only slightly off, sorting it out prior to a major failure is far more cost effective than replacing it for new, both for the wallet and environment!

Moreover there's good pattern parts avilibility now for Gm and YM engines

 

[fredrussell]

Yeah, clever marketing to fleece the people that still believe one of the most expensive is best

Yeah, like wot I said! Although it is possible that one engine maker, 30 years ago, was making longer-lived engines than the others. Not necessarily Yanmar; I think Bukh have the best rep in that regard.

 

[Refueler]

If you can get the vendor to send you a couple of pics and possibly a video It should give you a better idea. If it looks good clean and tidy It's a fair chance it's a good one.

My Perkins 4-107 looks like a lump of rust sitting there ... a late 1950 - early 1960 engine ... starts and runs a dream. One day I will take a wire brush to it and give it a lick of paint !!

As another says - Yacht engines usually die due to neglect or poor use ... NOT old age.

My 4-107 replaced a 1950's 4-99 that had seized after boat was flooded. We'd dried her out - but must have had water in sump unknown to us or something anyway.
It cost arm and a leg to swap out - so its not something I wish to do again ...
I bought it out of the HYCO shed .. where it had sat for a couple of years on a pallet. It had been taken out of a Rustler and left behind. I took it without g'tee for princely sum of 250 quid ...
Rustler guy had replaced it due to it being a 'bit smokey' ...

Was fitted to my boat ... fired up and it was sweet as anything. Yes it was a bit smokey - but a few runs round the harbour giving it stick soon had her clear and good. That was about 2005 .... its still in there and I trust that engine to cross Baltic or whatever I ask.