Replace VP 2003. With what, where and how much?

[Donheist]

My VP2003 is getting old in every way. Parts getting harder and dearer to get. Maybe it’s time for a new one?

Suggestions welcome on what model to replace it with. And where I should get it done? We’re lying in Corsica/sardinia but have time to travel to get to a really good trustworthy yard.

Massive premium for easy to maintain, ubiquitous parts availability and simple over performance, fuel economy or anything else.

Any idea of rough cost to buy engine and have installed ready to sail?

Boat is an oceanis390. Also old but we’ve made it work for us and while open to swapping her I think if a new engine wasn’t totally prohibitive I would rather stick to something I know.

 

[[70521]]

There is a place in Dorset that sells second hand engins - I am sure you can use Google. Why not replace like with like? I'll collect, and take it away free of charge, your old VP2003 always fancied an extra pot.

 

[chris-s]

One of the additional expenses you will likely face is that the old 2003 series and gearboxes all rotate the opposite direction of most modern engine/gearbox combos so you might need to factor in the cost of a prop too, tho when weighed up against the cost of a new engine install it doesn’t amount to much. You might also find that linkages, exhaust and water are also on opposite sides of the engine that adds to the work required.

 

[RAFFY]

My VP2003 is getting old in every way. Parts getting harder and dearer to get. Maybe it’s time

Donheist,
I had the same dilemma a few years ago when my 30+ year old 2003 expired. It is an interesting task.
Undoubtedly there are many choices and many price tags. I looked at Yanmar, Beta and VP as the most likely candidates with estimates from £6k up to £10k including new saildrive. Fitting would have been an issue even with claimed adaptor plates for the engine bed. Then there was the technology with some engines employing modern electronics and control systems which had less than perfect reviews, a possible concern. They were all significantly lighter than the 2003 so may have upset the fore/aft balance.
Eventually I found a place in Christchurch called Power Afloat which still advertises reconditioned 2003 at less than £2k. Add in the direct swap, no need for new saildrive or expensive engine bed work and the absence of electronics and that was my choice. It is an old design for sure, but parts are still available and I can hand start it if necessary without the need for any electrical device allowing me to do so and that clinched it. The 2003 needs regular maintenance of course but they all do. I am sure some people will say it is a bad decision to spend money on old technology, but my replacement engine is now 6 years and 700+hrs on and apart from that pesky impellor, I think the choice was a reasonable one.
Happy hunting!

 

[Tranona]

Volvo D1 30 is most straightforward and likely to be easy to get done where you are. Budget £12k+ depending on how many other bits you find need replacing. You might get a trade in for the old with a Volvo dealer, but not sure how dealers work there.

 

[Donheist]

One of the additional expenses you will likely face is that the old 2003 series and gearboxes all rotate the opposite direction of most modern engine/gearbox combos so you might need to factor in the cost of a prop too, tho when weighed up against the cost of a new engine install it doesn’t amount to much. You might also find that linkages, exhaust and water are also on opposite sides of the engine that adds to the work required.

Yes. I shall miss my brunt on folding prop. And it will take some getting used to not being able to go astern the other way in a blow…

 

[Donheist]

Donheist,
I had the same dilemma a few years ago when my 30+ year old 2003 expired. It is an interesting task.
Undoubtedly there are many choices and many price tags. I looked at Yanmar, Beta and VP as the most likely candidates with estimates from £6k up to £10k including new saildrive. Fitting would have been an issue even with claimed adaptor plates for the engine bed. Then there was the technology with some engines employing modern electronics and control systems which had less than perfect reviews, a possible concern. They were all significantly lighter than the 2003 so may have upset the fore/aft balance.
Eventually I found a place in Christchurch called Power Afloat which still advertises reconditioned 2003 at less than £2k. Add in the direct swap, no need for new saildrive or expensive engine bed work and the absence of electronics and that was my choice. It is an old design for sure, but parts are still available and I can hand start it if necessary without the need for any electrical device allowing me to do so and that clinched it. The 2003 needs regular maintenance of course but they all do. I am sure some people will say it is a bad decision to spend money on old technology, but my replacement engine is now 6 years and 700+hrs on and apart from that pesky impellor, I think the choice was a reasonable one.
Happy hunting!

That is an interesting thought…

 

[Donheist]

There is a place in Dorset that sells second hand engins - I am sure you can use Google. Why not replace like with like? I'll collect, and take it away free of charge, your old VP2003 always fancied an extra pot.

That does bring with it some Interesting vat related challenges. Options status is…ambiguous. No original vat papers. Bought it knowing that at discount. Some guardia finanza folk I managed to attract attention of last year seemed satisfied with proof of being in eu on Brexit day but if I sail back to England and back again that might arouse unwanted attention…

 

[Tranona]

Yes. I shall miss my brunt on folding prop. And it will take some getting used to not being able to go astern the other way in a blow…

You can keep your propeller as the MS10 box on the D1 30 is available either LH or RH with a reduction of 2.35:1 almost the same as your current MS2 box which is 2.2:1 and the engine has the same rated rpm of 3200. Obviously doubled check with your chosen supplier but pretty sure that is correct.

 

[MoodySabre]

I replaced mine with a Beta 30 - what a revelation!

 

[[70521]]

That does bring with it some Interesting vat related challenges. Options status is…ambiguous. No original vat papers. Bought it knowing that at discount. Some guardia finanza folk I managed to attract attention of last year seemed satisfied with proof of being in eu on Brexit day but if I sail back to England and back again that might arouse unwanted attention…

Ahhhh As this is a UK centric forum I, wrongly, thought you were resident in this universe far, far away.

 

[Tranona]

Ahhhh As this is a UK centric forum I, wrongly, thought you were resident in this universe far, far away.

He does clearly say he is in Sardinia!

 

[westernman]

Many gearboxes can be run in reverse for ever. I.e. it does not matter which way round they turn.
In which case it does not matter if what is currently forwards ends up backwards

Just change the controls around so that you push forwards to go in reverse - if you see what I mean.

 

[Tranona]

Many gearboxes can be run in reverse for ever. I.e. it does not matter which way round they turn.
In which case it does not matter if what is currently forwards ends up backwards

Just change the controls around so that you push forwards to go in reverse - if you see what I mean.

But not in the sizes fitted normally to 30hp engines. Also many (like the Volvo) have different ratios forward and reverse so important to get the right one for forward.

 

[[70521]]

He does clearly say he is in Sardinia!

i'll need to find my reading glasses. My PC is currently at the PC hospital and I am struggling wth a table.

 

[Tranona]

i'll need to find my reading glasses. My PC is currently at the PC hospital and I am struggling wth a table.

In the same size print as the rest of the text in the box that has his avatar

However appreciate one normally only skims the message text.

 

[Neeves]

In the same size print as the rest of the text in the box that has his avatar

However appreciate one normally only skims the message text.

and most skip many of the posts.

Jonathan

 

[fredrussell]

My VP2003 is getting old in every way. Parts getting harder and dearer to get. Maybe it’s time for a new one?

Are there any problems with the current engine? If it ain’t broke… as they say.

 

[Tranona]

Are there any problems with the current engine? If it ain’t broke… as they say.

I think you will find from an earlier thread a couple of weeks ago it has serious problems.

 

[Pinical]

We had a 2003T, 7500 hours on it, still good running, no oil consumption, but oilcooler corroded, gearbox whining, very expensive spares (if available), etc. After the decision to replace we found that the 2003 is a very small engine and most engines wouldn’t fit in. Only the Yanmar 3jh5 was small enough and no big changes to engine bed needed. Did need to change prop and exhaust though.
Should have done it earlier.