Seamaster 27

[Frank mellin]

My boat is a seamaster 27 fitted with 2 80hp ford dover engines.
One engine is fine but the other has just seized and probably is a write off.
The boat runs well on just one engine so thinking to move to middle of boat and have just one.
Would like to move engine back to stern but would create problem with prop shaft angle.
Would the only answer be a stern drive or is there another alternativ

 

[prv]

Would like to move engine back to stern but would create problem with prop shaft angle.
Would the only answer be a stern drive or is there another alternativ

I can think of two alternatives -

1) V-drive. You turn the engine around so the gearbox is at the front, then add a special gearbox that directs the shaft back under the engine:

2) Hydraulic drive. You replace the gearbox with a pump that provides hydraulic pressure, powering a relatively tiny hydraulic motor on the end of the shaft. The two ends can be placed anywhere since it only needs plumbing between them which can even be correctly-rated rubber hoses. This approach is very flexible but not very efficient - you waste a fair bit of energy heating up the oil. Often used on displacement-speed river craft and when converting old sailing boats; I doubt it makes any sense on a planing motorboat.

Pete

 

[pvb]

My boat is a seamaster 27 fitted with 2 80hp ford dover engines.
One engine is fine but the other has just seized and probably is a write off.
The boat runs well on just one engine so thinking to move to middle of boat and have just one.

Your proposal would involve a lot of work (and even that's an understatement). I reckon it would be much cheaper to repair or replace the engine.

 

[No Regrets]

Deffo get the engine sorted, or find which block it was and throw a good used one in. It retains the structure and value of the boat if nothing else!

Worth finding out why it failed!! :encouragement:

 

[essexboy]

If you have to replace the engine the older "Dorset" engine has the same footprint. Just gives you a bigger pool to fish in !
Dover engines are renowned for being " bomb proof" any clues why / how it siezed ?

 

[Frank mellin]

Not really ,oil pressure was about 45psi.am wondering if crank has seized or whether there is a problem with the gears driving camshaft.need to get engine out of boat to strip.have used a 5ft bar on the crank pulley but solid.
I would love to be able to replace the engine with something a bit smaller in size but still 80hp.
Any ideas on what may be an acceptable replacement without me needing to remortgage the house..

 

[pvb]

Not really ,oil pressure was about 45psi.am wondering if crank has seized or whether there is a problem with the gears driving camshaft.need to get engine out of boat to strip.have used a 5ft bar on the crank pulley but solid.
I would love to be able to replace the engine with something a bit smaller in size but still 80hp.
Any ideas on what may be an acceptable replacement without me needing to remortgage the house..

If you end up with 2 different types of engine, you may make the boat unappealing to any future buyers.

 

[dave_gibsea]

First things first, take engine out and strip it down, might be a simple problem easily fixed. Whatever you do you have to get the engine out. You have all winter to decide on what to do but I agree it may well be cheaper to fix the old engine.