Re-engining a Jaguar 25 from Outboard to Inboard Diesel

[Malstrom]

I had a productive visit to the boat show. My 9.9hp Mariner 2-stroke outboard is not in the first flush of youth, and its alleged 6A alternator doesn't seem to be up to much.

The Yamaha dealers were offering a 9.9hp extra longshaft 4 stroke with 10A alternator and remotes for about £2200 (35" long shaft as I recall). They did say that there would be loads of stopping power (a current bugbear) but as my outboard installation is offset due to the transom-hung rudder, there will inevitably be some swing on selecting reverse.

The Beta dealers were offering a 13 hp beta diesel for about £2500, and the salesman gave me the name of someone local who would be able to do the job, and recommended an installation of proper P bracket and shaft rather than saildrive. He also said that a rough estimate for a new installation was to double the cost of the engine, therefore £5000 for the lot . . .

Any thoughts from the floor? This sounds like a reasonable sum to me. I could just sell my J25 and buy another boat with diesel already installed, but would lose out on all the things we have done to her and not get a new engine in the new boat, lose all the money on commission/surveys etc etc. So we could do that but I don't really think it is a good idea although I am open to your persuasion !

The other factor that springs to mind is the engine mountings etc. Does anyone know if all of the hull mouldings were constructed strong enough to take engine bearers. I have looked, but all I can see is what seems to be a fibreglass pipe about where a shaft would seem to go.

Does anyone here have any experience of a project like this or any advice ? What about shaft versus saildrive ?


looking forward to your comments on costs, feasibility or anything


regards

Ralph Wilson

 

[Birdseye]

I had great fun one winter converting my old hunter 26 from outboard to inboard diesel. Best thing I ever did with that boat.

I did the job myself and found it quite easy, though the Hunter did have engine bearers already glassed in. But that wouldnt stop me from having a go and there are a number of our members who have installed engines in boats with no bearers.

You can get a kit of bits from most engine retailers - prop, shaft, tank, grp stern tube, cables and Morse, stern gland etc. I would expect the cost to be much less than £1000 including all the GRP materials.

The key issue is alignment and one way to tackle that is to make a simple engine mock up out of wood (roughly the same shape and with mountings in the same position as the real engine) to which you can attach a broom handle as a prop shaft. Then cut the hole in the hull , insert your mock up and determine where to place the bearers.

Glassing in the bearers is easy provided you make a good job of roughing up the surface and have a sufficiently warm environment. I used West epoxy because it sticks berrt to old GRP than polyester does. But with it you need to use woven cloth - CSM is a nightmare with epoxy.

Once the beds are in and then the engine, align the stern tube round the shaft and glass that in too, with some nice cross bearers to support the P bracket.

The rest are simple bolt down jobs. Overall a lot easier than I thought and I even got a 5 star commendation from the surveyor when I sold the boat, which chuffed me no end! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[graham]

If you have the time and skills needed for DIY I would think you could save over a grand with advise available on the forum from people like Birdseye who have been there and done it. If not Beta Marine has a list of approved installers.

Personally I would go for a shaft drive over a saildrive unit.You need to cut a large hole in the boat to fit a saildrive and with the prop further forward you loose some of the manouvering ability due to decreased prop wash over the rudder.

Beta seem to be establishing a very good reputation in the replacement engine market.

 

[roger]

I think it would be useful to find out what your local installer quotes for a package deal. Engine + installing. It might be less than you think.
Do pay attention to the propellor sizing. Beta supplied me with a rather coarse propellor that the negine could not get up to max. rated revs.. In addition the propellor went spotty after two seasons and a local propellor man said the prop manufacturer was suspected to reuse bronze when cating.
Apart from that the engine gearbox etc is very nice and I'm happy with it.

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi

Vega owners have been fitting teh Beta 13.5 as a replacement for the last five years and all gone very well. Over 100 now fitted!! Installation on a Vega (including removing the old volvo) is usually in the region of £650. The bits needed on top of the engine price should not exceed £700 ish.... Try and stick to 25mm prop as it is standard and cheaper. Shaft should be about £100, prop about £150. Rest of the bits shop around. If yoiu need any advice then drop me an email steve@albinvega.com

Cheers

 

[William_H]

Wow sounds like a project. I can't let it go without looking at the downside of inboard engine. Corrosion elctrolysis, smell of an engine in the cabin, loss of space under the cockpit and the need to do all engine maintenance standing on your head. I am sure you know all the advantages of diesel inboard including increase in resail value. I reckon you should prepare yourself for frustrations and heart aches and don,t be so sure about sailing this coming season if you diy. Consider small generator/. solar / wind power for battery. Persevere with the motor you have would be my suggestion but that is from one who can sail all the time and havn,t had the O/b on his boat for 12 months. (sail boats are for sailin) I accept you may need to motor a lot. regards will

 

[graham]

"Havnt had the OB on for 12 months" Lucky Bugger .

Its a different world here though,most of us have to manouvere in tight spaces in crowded marinas/harbours or negotiate locks where sailing is not a sensible option.

I do agree with you about the benefits of an outboard,especially modern 4 strokes,they can be very reliable and come with alternators etc.Unfortunately security also becomes a consideration with £2000 of shiny Yamaha hanging on the back.I guess you are going to tell me now that theres no crime down under? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Im hoping to go sailing for a couple of days in a minute only came on to look at the weather forecast then got sidetracked as usual.

 

[Malstrom]

Thanks guys for all the advice. I don't think I have the time or the DIY skills to do justice to a job like this, so I will be using a professional, probably the one who the Beta salesman recommended for my area.

I have considered the downsides, however now I know a little more about boats than when I bought Malstrom, I think the biggest advantage is SAFETY ! I won't be carrying 50 litres of petrol in a locker that also has a (covered) battery in it.

Replacing the outboard also will involve some work as it's not a straight swap. I am not sure that the current o/b mounting bracket will be strong enough for the monster that I saw at the boat show.

I will let you know if I go ahead and what I decide to do.

thanks once again

Ralph

 

[bob_tyler]

If you use a Beta engineer you won't regret it. I did and I don't.