Volvo vs Beta

[BabaYaga]

I didn't like the requirement on the Beta to check the Anode regularly (Beta say a 6 months check may be necessary) and remove and clean the heat exchanger annually.

It should be noted that the heat exchanger design was changed a few years ago. The anode now sits in the water stream exiting the tube stack, which I believe should limit the amount of crud blocking the lower tubes.

On my 20hp Beta (from 2006) I only take the tube stack out for cleaning every second year, which is fine with less than 50 engine hours/year. Anode is changed every year though.

 

[sailorman]

I think that's correct. It may not be important to you but for me, I didn't like the requirement on the Beta to check the Anode regularly (Beta say a 6 months check may be necessary) and remove and clean the heat exchanger annually.

my H/e stack has been checked @ 7 years & clean as a whistle, i might have another look nxt year. No overheating experienced to date

 

[macd]

The built in oil change pump is a real bonus too.

Sorry...make that reason #9.
Obviously price and physical size/weight were also factors. I checked out a Yanmar before I last re-engined: it wouldn't have fitted down the companionway without major surgery.

re posts above: the annual heat exchanger rigmarole is a bit of a mystery. After a few seasons with my 28 it soon became clear that every three years was (more than) often enough. I wonder if the caution is because Beta supply many engines to canal boats which presumably take in a lot more crud?

 

[Leighb]

Some points not mention so far.
Volvos run a LH prop, Beta RH so new prop and possibly shaft, if old length too short, needed, other services may be on opposite sides such as exhaust which may need some extra installation cost.

I swapped a Volvo MD7A for a Beta 20 and am more than happy. Especially having impeller, oil level etc all accessible at front of engine.

Just thought I would mention those points.

 

[Eyore]

Small Kubota engines in plant ( diggers ect ) are good for 6000 + hrs with normal servicing

I have seen Beta , Kubota gensets on fishing vessels with 12,000 + hours and no major overhaul, only routine service.

 

[michael_w]

Don't worry about the prop rotation. Fit a PRM 150 hydraulic box which works happily in either direction. It's also well oversized, so should last.

Just to confuse matters further, what about a Mitsubishi based engine? I've got a 31hp Westerbeke, 2000 hours to date and the only big part has been a heat exchanger. Nice things like an electric lift pump and self-bleeding. Other companies that use this base engine are Thornycroft and Sole.

 

[doris]

I don't pretend to be particularly knowledgeable about my engine, a VP D1-30, but a mate with a J122 needed injectors for the same engine. Volvo didn't have any in the country and very expensive when they were going to arrive. A check of the part numbers, and a phone call to Perkins, job sorted at half the price. Same engine, different label.
Worth thinking about as there have been a lot of comments about the price of Volvo spares.

 

[sailorman]

I have seen Beta , Kubota gensets on fishing vessels with 12,000 + hours and no major overhaul, only routine service.

There you go then

 

[ghostlymoron]

I thought he was only looking for 14HP so a hydraulic gearbox sounds like serious overkill.

Don't worry about the prop rotation. Fit a PRM 150 hydraulic box which works happily in either direction. It's also well oversized, so should last.

Just to confuse matters further, what about a Mitsubishi based engine? I've got a 31hp Westerbeke, 2000 hours to date and the only big part has been a heat exchanger. Nice things like an electric lift pump and self-bleeding. Other companies that use this base engine are Thornycroft and Sole.

 

[sailorman]

I thought he was only looking for 14HP so a hydraulic gearbox sounds like serious overkill.

No, these are fitted to hire boats to take punishment & give reliability.

 

[pmagowan]

I have a Beta 20hp on a 28' sailing boat. I have had the boat 5 years and the Beta has worked perfectly with some abuse and significant neglect in the first year. It was fed bad diesel and the glow plugs are dead but it still starts no problem and gives excellent service. The heat exchanger anode has been replaced once.

 

[Hydrozoan]

I have experience only of Beta, but it has been good - helpful support on an older engine, and reasonably priced spares readily available. I check the heat exchanger tubestack every second year and typically change the anode annually. The built-in oil removal pump is very convenient.

 

[Iliade]

I have a Nanni 10hp in my Centaur. On flat water it runs out of steam at a shade under 5kt with fresh antifouling. I would prefer a few more horses to butt wind and chop.

 

[Tranona]

I'm not that technical, any chance of an explanation in layman's terms ? Better thrust in close quarter manoeuvres ? For a slog to windward my boat is always more comfortable sailing, or at least motor sailing. The ability to push through choppy water would be more useful.

Assume this is for your Victoria 800. The 14 will be more than enough power and will be a much better fit than the Volvo for space - the original engine in that hull was a Yanmar 1GM. The constraint you will have is the size of prop you can swing. The ideal is to get as big a diameter as possible. I have a somewhat similar size and displacement boat which has a Nanni 14 (nicer colour than a Beta and arguably a better marinisation, particularly the heat exchanger) with a 2.6:1 gearbox and a 15" 3 blade propeller. A slower turning larger diameter prop is usually better for motoring and stopping in reverse, but slight downside is the extra drag when sailing. The optimum set up would probably be a Featherstream feathering prop (which I have) if you want to spend the money. You should be able to get at least a 14" prop in and still have clearance in the aperture.

The Kubota based engines are far and away the best in this class. The basic engine will go at least 8000 hours (over 50 years of typical yacht use). Physically smaller than either Volvo or Yanmar and all the service points on the front.

 

[Pye_End]

Assume this is for your Victoria 800. The 14 will be more than enough power and will be a much better fit than the Volvo for space - the original engine in that hull was a Yanmar 1GM.

The 800 were made with a Volvo 2010 - it was the Vic 26 and Frances 26 that had1GM10's.

14" may just fit, but with virtually no clearance. 13" fits (but is officially too big according according to the guidelines). 13.5" and the noise level increases.

 

[AHoy2]

For reasons that are fascinating that I may post later on, I am having to re engine and wonder what you people think about a Volvo vs a Beta ? I had a Volvo 2010, so would now be looking at a Volvo D1-13 or a Beta 14. Long keel heavy displacement, 3 tons, 8 metres.
Thanks

I have a Beta 14 in a similar spec boat to yours and find it a good match and copes well under power in adverse conditions also frugal when motor-sailing. Tech support from Beta has been good, parts readily available both by mail order and locally. Servical interval at 200hrs is a bonus v. Volvo especially if doing extended trips, also service routine and access good. Beta more "agricultural" in terms of noise and vibration than Volvo. Mine is running a 13 x 8 RH Vetus prop. Previous boat had a Volvo 2020 by way of comparison.

 

[Kelpie]

I have a Beta 20hp on a 28' sailing boat. I have had the boat 5 years and the Beta has worked perfectly with some abuse and significant neglect in the first year. It was fed bad diesel and the glow plugs are dead but it still starts no problem and gives excellent service. The heat exchanger anode has been replaced once.

How is your anode lasting so long? I would get a season out of one. Do you have another anode protecting the engine?

 

[pmagowan]

I only have one other anode on the hull which is bonded to the engine I believe.

 

[Tranona]

The 800 were made with a Volvo 2010 - it was the Vic 26 and Frances 26 that had1GM10's.

14" may just fit, but with virtually no clearance. 13" fits (but is officially too big according according to the guidelines). 13.5" and the noise level increases.

Thought they all had the same basic hull. Anyway, the restriction on prop size is the main issue, so a 14 with a 2:1 gearbox and a 13*9 3 blade would be the best compromise.

 

[Tranona]

I only have one other anode on the hull which is bonded to the engine I believe.

That won't do anything for the engine, but will be to protect your stern gear through the gearbox. The engine anode is protecting the materials in the seawater side of the heat exchanger.