stuart turner or change it???

I have a P55 of 1958 vintage. The only time it's failed to start is from a fuel blockage in the tank (which was full of rust - now changed) which is hardly the fault of the engine.

I also have a flock of seagulls all of which give no problem at all. It's the same old story in that most of the tales of woe are from those who have either abused or are trying to use without first fixing, an abused engine. ST's and Seagulls are very simple and if a few things are looked after there is no reason why they won't work.

The ST is smooth enough it doesn't need engine mounts to stop shaking your fillings out and it's also quiet compared to a diesel.

Sure technology moves on and things get more efficient but how many of todays diesels will still be running well in ten years time never mind 50?

Fairways Marine know the ST's well and thougt they may be expensive who isn't? Biggest problem with them seems that it takes absolutely forever (think in terms of months not days) to get them to do anything and that could be a big problem if your engine needs something.

My biggest worry is brought about by other people telling me ST's are no good rather than my experience! Just in case however I have a spare one ready and waiting to go!

If I knew how to add some pictures of mine I would but I don't - so if anyone can tell me how I will.
 
For a folkboat I'd stick with the old engine so long as it can be made to work ok-ish.- Spend the dosh on a good set of sails instead. With a bit of luck you won't want the engine much anyway.

Incidentally I could never get the much hated Vire 6 (in a Trident 24) to work properly - until reversing the exhaust bellows ( & associated water trap valve ..... ) the PO had installed incorrectly ....
 
For interest I should have mentioned in my previous post that my ST uses a water trap exhaust system which does not seem to upset it at all. A previous owner had added a pipe to the first bit of the exhaust pipe proper into which is attached the outlet for the cooling water coming from the engine. The whole is then directed via a large rubber exhaust tube to the water trap silencer.

This seems a very satisfactory way to overcome the "hot" exhaust problem with associated asbestos lagging mentioned in earlier posts.

I have also recently added a Tiny Tach rev counter which not only gives revs so I can try to control fuel consumption but also has the handy addition of time counters which will enable me to tell all the doubters here how long my ST has been happily running for!
 
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could be heavy on their crank case seals

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I am fairly sure Maldon can offer some advice of using modern seals if there are problems in this area.
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Probably so, but this is one of the technical problems that gave them a poor reputation when they were in production.
 
Not on mine, nor a few others as far as I can tell /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I can see if you ran the engine to lean in the premix dept then the bearings and seals running dry would be a problem but for a few years many engines have survived. I can not dispute that you either love em or hate em, have had a good experience or bad. For my part ownership of a 5P for six years was a positive joy once I sorted the carburetor.
 
I have searched for the details, but SWMBO has just admitted throwing the details away...sorry.

All that I can remember is his name is David, and lives in Purton. Maybe someone else knows him?
 
Our old 6-tonner still has the original Stuart Turner P55 from 1957. Runs as smooth as a sewing machine, and never let us down: in fact, one windless summer we motored the whole way from Burnham on Crouch to Salcombe. Not a single hiccup the whole way, though the boat seemed to develop a habit of turning to starboard every time a petrol station hove into view.

On the issue of petrol, you may like to consider that, because of its nature, any leakage will evaporate. Diesel and engine oil, however, do not. If you change to a diesel, the time you save in engine TLC will be compensated by the amount of time on your hands and knees trying to clean the bilges out. I also much prefer the faint aroma of petrol to that of diesel, which makes me barf for Britain.

All in all, this is a Folkboat, and you'll be hard put to find a boat better designed to SAIL. So dont worry unduly about the engine, and put your money into hull, rig and sails.

Mel
 
You've met SWMBO then! I was on baby duty last night and, instead of getting her head down, she decided to find some advice on cleaning sails.

The phrase "slippery slope" leaps to mind.
 
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