Vetus Engine Reviews M3.29

[picardy]

I am in the process of choosing an engine for my 20ft wooden motor launch for use in estuarial / costal waters.

I was going to go for a BETA 20 or 25 but have been told by the boatyard that Vetus engines have recently been updated to make them much quieter.

Sound level does matter to me but my question is are there any reviews from users of Vetus engines and specifically over their reliability and especially on the M3.29 (27hp) engine.

Many thanks

 

[ridgy]

Don't know about quiet but looking at a picture it seems that vetus are persisting with their dreadful rearward facing impeller arrangement. I suffered that with on an earlier M2.04 and changing the impeller was hard work with the boat on land. I dreaded having to change it at sea. For that reason alone I would get the beta though maybe the installation on a motor boat might allow sufficient access for it not to be a problem.

 

[Arcady]

I have no direct experience of the M3.29, but I did purchase and install the M4.45 several years ago. That shares the similar water-cooled aluminium sound shield above the valve gear. The base engines in both cases are Mitsubishi.

I have been impressed with the quality of the marinisation, and the reduced sound levels. The engine is very noticeably smoother and quieter than the Perkins 4.108 which it replaced - mind you, that’s probably not difficult!

The three year warranty also permitted owner installation, subject to having a qualified engineer certify the installation - which they paid for (that was the case in 2016 anyway).

All in all my experience with Vetus was/is excellent. I have no connection etc, etc!

 

[Jmc1764]

I Have a Vetus M4.14 it is quote old now I think 1991 or ther abouts. It runs very well, I think its very smooth and quiet to its size. Easy to work on, the only issue is the cost of Vetus spares they are way over priced, but if you search you can find alternatives for most items like filters , glow plugs . water pumps etc. Not sure what the new ones are like if they are still mitsubishi or peugeot ?

 

[picardy]

Thanks all for the feedback so far.....

 

[Arcady]

... the only issue is the cost of Vetus spares they are way over priced ...

Although perhaps not as expensive as Yanmar or Volvo, in my experience!