Re-engining

[Guest]

Under a previous thread below, the question of re-engining came up (again!). Is it me? I just would never consider re-engining a boat unless I had had some form of catastrophic failure e.g. con rod through the block. I would only do it in these circumstances because I could not dispose of the boat at anything approaching a sensible price unless she had two good engines.

It just seems to me that if you want bigger or better engines, the only sensible economic solution is to buy a bigger or better boat which has what you want as original equipment.

Is my thinking flawed?

Nick

 

[Guest]

Well from past remarks I'm prity sure your thinkings flawed !! But in this case, I regret to say, your probabley right-ish !!

Haydn

 

[Guest]

Anyway, whats this about you masquerading as someone else?

Nick

 

[Guest]

There's probably only three situations in which re-engining makes some sort of economic sense and then probably only if you keep the boat for a few more years. Firstly, changing petrol to diesel (until red diesel goes), secondly, if the existing engines are totally shagged and beyond economic repair and, thirdly, if the existing installation makes the boat totally unsaleable (and I cant think of any particular examples because there's always some mug...!). Re-engining because the boat's slow to plane or you just fancy a few more knots probably makes less sense than taking a hit on the sale price and buying a new boat

 

[Guest]

I'm not sure myself. I'm looking for a sports cruiser, those I've seen are powered by twin 330hp Mercruisers. The options are make a silly offer and convert to LPG or make a silly offer and convert to diesel. I've seen a diesel engined version powered by Mercruiser V8 diesels and it's 20 grand more than the petrol engined boat. Got to be worth considering.

Doug

 

[Guest]

Im usually the first one to defend petrol when it comes to petrol versus diesel debate but a sports cruiser with 330hp petrols makes even me wince. But if you can get one cheap enough converting to LPG seems attractive. (PS Volvo want honour warranties if you convert to LPG)

 

[Guest]

That's interesting news about Volvo. Doesn't help me too much though. Both the boats I saw had Mercruisers on Bravo 1 legs.

Doug

 

[Guest]

It is also the same with Mercruisers and many other engine makes. However I remember reading recently that Mercruiser may support the warranty and Volvo still undecided.

RM.

 

[Guest]

£20K is a lot of petrol!

 

[Guest]

Yes, thats true but once you have burnt it what do you have left? £20,000 buys 5,000 gallons (About 5 years worth) of petrol at todays prices. Converting to LPG will cost 4-4500 GBP, 300hp diesels about 18,000 GBP. LPG halves the running costs, diesel halves it again. By my calculations converting to LPG will pay for itself in 2 years and the diesels in 3.