Volvo vs Yanmar vs Beta

bilbobaggins

bilbobaggins

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Thanks to peeps' input on here some months ago, I've persuaded my friend - who's planning a re-engine job on a 34' sail cruiser - to look beyond Volvo. Yanmar got some good reports.

Now he's asked me ( moi? ) if a 'Beta' wouldn't be better. "After all," he said. " It's about £1000 cheaper than Yanmar."

Now, he's the graduate engineer ( Pure maths! No oily rags! ). I struggle with which hole to put the lubricant in. But some of you guys know your stuff. So, what's to know about Beta vs Yanmar.....?



/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I'm surprised that there's a grand difference in the prices.

I'm about to re-engine my uncles 32' changing from a Yanmar 2GM20 to the new 3YM20 and the new engine is about £3700 with the possibility of a LBS discount if we wave our cheque book about on the Barras stand.

What size engine is he looking at because the 3YM30 was only £4300.

I've never had a serious problem with Yanmar and would recommend them every time but from reports the Beta is just as good.

Peter.
 
A couple of years ago I would have said Yanmar, I am/was/maybe a fan of Yanmar.

Now I am a fan of Yanmar if we are talking about my port engine.

If I based everything on my starboard engine, then I would say buy Beta.

Not had massive problems on stbd, but have had the standard leaking water pump (1GM10), the corroded oil pipes, the corrosion on the ally block, wire-brushed and painted, crossed fingers, the standard duff impeller.

These engines were new in 2002.

I was very pro Yanmar when I bought them, I would have Yanmar again, but this time I would be more open to other machinery when looking.
 
We have a Volvo 2003T which has generally worked well for us, although it has had very little usage in its 15 year life so far - probably still less than 1000 hours.

I have only heard good reports about the Yanmar diesels - they do seem to be good engines. However I have noticed on some of them that the impeller cover plate is facing aft - if you are trying to change it from in front of the engine you have to do it by feel in a typical yacht installation. Another good reason then for using a Speedseal instead of the standard cover plate - I think they are brilliant.

And our partner in our Challenger is a Beta engine dealer in England, and from all reports heard, and engine installations by Owen that I have seen, they do appear to be excellent engines.

So they all seem to be good engines generally..... Perhaps base your criteria on which engine will best fit in the space available, for minimal modifications, while taking into account the overall costs of new engine and installation?
 
I used to always curse Volvo - but we have got a Volvo now and the spares when I rebuilt it were cheaper than Yanmar spares. (Note this doesn't apply to the 200x series of Volvo engines!)

I have bought a brand new Yanmar for a previous boat - it was OK but suffered rust problems.

I bought a Nanni for another boat (identical to the Beta and we got a very good price) and was very happy with it.

Nanni and Beta are both based on the same Kubota engine.

Before you slate Volvo too much, check the prices of spares for Yanmar engines!.

Lomardini are allegedly lightweight engines and the only ones designed for Marine use.

I reiterate what I have said before. In the range of modern Marine Diesel engines, I don't believe that there is a really bad one. See what fits and what deals you can get might be the most sensible approach.
 
Notwithstanding all of the technical discussion above, I would add that pre and post-sales service needs to be considered.

I have no knowledge other than of Beta, I had a 37.5 fitted last year, and have had very good service whenever I have contacted them. FWIW, the engine now has 600 hours on it and is as good as new.
 
In the cruising community the yellow jersey for reliability is currently held by Yanmar.

We had a really bad experience with a Lombardini engine (in a generator) and I would never have one again.
 
I just ordered a Beta 1005 to replace my ailing Volvo MD11C.
At 4500 - 4600 € against around 7000€ for all others, there is really a no brain!
Hope it will be a "no tears" as well ;-).

Feed back in 20 years from now!

Paul
 
I can second the reports of first rate after sales service from Beta. No connection other than as a very satisfied owner. Mine ( 20hp ) has never given me a moment's worry and appears to be built like a brick sh1th0use.
 
i fitted the Nanni HE 4150 4 years ago 400+ hrs to date . /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
if i done it again i would have a Beta 4150 same engine really, have been told that Nanni are better marinized. dont know but could have saved £1100 with Beta /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
I echo the concern - what will fit? Not only overall cavity size, but accessibility to filters etc in your layout. Most importantly, any significant rebuilding / lowering of engine beds or installing special feet etc can not only add a lot to costs but perhaps negate any overall capital cost differences.

In chosing an engine, I think the answer to your question should be more along the lines of "all boats work, same for engines" - so what discriminates between brands is regime of use etc etc
The horror stories are most unlikely to reflect your personal conditions, so are less useful as a guide.. I would think!

PWG
 
I'm always fascinated by these arguments.

Price wise, the main saving from other manufacturers is by not funding the admin structure to support a comprehensive dealer network.

When it comes to spares, the requirement on all of these engines / manufacturers is low, and the prices are almost universally high, BUT,

If something goes wrong, there is a world of difference between manufacturers when it comes to availability. I value greatly the ability to walk to the top of a marina ramp and purchase a new relay or thermostat.

Who wants to abandon a sailing trip or seriously eat into a holiday by chasing around or waiting for parts. At least Volvo are represented almpost everywhere in the world a cruising yachtsman is likely to find himself.
 
I'm sure that you are right for cruising in and around Europe.

However, I think you'll find that in the world wide cruising community, of which I was briefly a member some years ago, care less about finding a dealer at every port.

More that a. they are able to have meaningful dialogues with agents/manufacturers and b. that the parts can be shipped to their location. And for me, that the engine is sufficiently simple that local diesel engineers can affect the repairs using the bits that I have sourced for them.

In this day and age there are few places more than a couple of days away from a DHL delivery depot.
 
For my own boat I went through the same decision-making process w.r.t. the same options. I had only passing acquaintance with Yanmar & Volvo on other sea-school yachts and the odd delivery, but I recall there were a few minor problems. I went for a 2-cylinder BETA, at that time based on an Isuzu unit. I thought Beta had done a good marinising job, and the only problem it gave me was a leaking lift pump, which Beta promptly replaced. It served me well with admirable economy and no more than routine maintenance for five thousand hours, but running full tilt into an abandoned fishing net did it no good at all and thereafter it had a starting problem and uneven running. The head was taken off (for the first time) leading to the discovery that one con-rod and the output shaft were bent and the gearbox almost wrecked.
I had no doubts about replacing that engine with another Beta, the Kubota-based 3-cylinder 20bhp BD722. Its torque graph is flat from just above tick-over to almost full power. It has now done a thousand hours, and proved to be a little gem!
 
From my point of view I would go down the Yanmar route, especially if you are prepared to source major spares from outside the UK, eg Holland or France. Whatever happens do not go for Volvo! After 600 hours the gearbox on my D2-55 fell appart and Volvo claimed that such failures were " normal" and hence declined any liability. Any company whose product fails after 600 hours of use is well worth avoiding at all costs. I notice that Hallberg-Rassy now use Yanmar in all their mid size boats. It says something about a quality manufacturer who is also based in Sweden that they have made this decision.
 
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