Watermota Sea Panther replacement

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JimShalliker

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I'm considering replacing a Watermota Sea Panther 29hp in a Saltram 24. Has anyone got comments/suggestions about the relative merits of a like-for-like trade-in recon (at just under £3k plus fitting) vs a new modern diesel engine (plus new prop & shaft), and are there any recommendations for the latter?
 
The Sea Panther was a very advanced concept for its time.

Back in the 1970's Watermota recognised the need for a small multi cylinder diesel engine, rather than the old thumpers of the time. Westerly were going flat out at the time and were very keen.

Based on the Ford Cortina 1600 block and head Watamota did a huge amount of engineering work of their own, however the combustion work and piston design was done gratis by the local University. The big deal was that the engine was direct injection very advanced for the time, and that was the problem. Lack of sufficient deveopment means that there were always inherient shortcomings with the engine. Harsh, noisy and difficult starting. The original motors were 24 volt only just to get over the starting issue. And as for the Thermostart cold start set up I will say no more.

Other than adding a 12 volt option in later years no further development has taken place.

When Watermota was taken over Stephenson Marine took over support for the Sea Panther.

However life has moved on since the 70's and small multi cylinder Japanese engines, Kubota, Mitsubishi, Shibura and Yanmar are now king in this power node, quiet refined reliable and durable.

Spend 3K on a 'new' Sea Panther built out of a mixture of a few new and old parts many over 30 years old makes no sense. Even Stephenson Marine do a new Sea Panther, but based on Mitsubishi.

Get out of the time warp! Put 3K towards a proper new engine. If you have the Hurth gearbox option rather than the J type engine suppliers may even do you back end to suit your old box as well as mounts to pick up on the Watermota locations locations
 
We had a ford watermota, petrol engine that I successfully managed to obliterate when I left the raw water cooling off :-( We looked at recon and refurb and in the end went for a Nanni 4.150 39hp Diesel and have not regretted ait for a minute. Very quiet we run it on the Birchwood 25 with no real sound proofing at all.

We fitted it a couple of years ago and the total cost of the engine, deluxe dash, all fitting, new engine bed, cables, fuel pipes, new wooden dash and switches to retain some existing gauges, fuel tank clean up etc etc etc was approx 6k indluding the labour. The peace of mind it has brought SWMBO was worth it lol, after nuemrous breakdowns with the old engine.
 
My thanks to Lateboater and Nickcred. I think I got the sort of advice that I was expecting.

Lateboater - I was thinking that older technology might be easier to understand and therefore more likely to make me feel confident in the engine, but £3k is a big outlay if it still leaves me in that time-warp. (I think I got that from having a couple of Seagull outboards - even I can understand them.)

Nickcred - can I ask how long ago the Nanni 39hp installation cost around £6k?

I suspect that they are all fairly competitive re price, reliability, expected life, noise level, ease of servicing and so on, but are there any further suggestions about relative merits of different new engines?

btw - Although I registered quite a while ago, I've only ever browsed some of the discussion threads and this is the first time I've posted a query. It's nice to feel that there are so many folk out there willing to offer advice. Thank you YBW for setting this up.
 
Beta Marine do a good range and will customize things like mounts, sumps, gearboxes to suit. You might also consider engines based on the Ford diesels from Lancing Marine.
 
Nothing really new or frightening about newer engines.

Still plain old mechanical motors with very robust little in-line industrial mechanical pumps Vs old CAV DPA rotary. I am looking at little Yanmar genny right now 16,000 hs with just a failed alternator on the service record in its life up to now, and this is typical of all engines listed.

Nanni is just a Kubota in nice smart clothes.
 
Hi

Just looked up the invoice and it was September 2006

Kris Kruisers at Datchet sorted it for me, not sure of your location but I would highly recommend them and have no connection other than a very satisfied customer, after sales service has also been superb.

Happy to give you a breakdown of the costs if you want it, just send me a PM

Cheers

Nick
 
Thanks to all. The picture is pretty clear - the recon just isn't a sensible option. This has given me a good ball-park figure and a feel for the benefits.
 
Latestarter1 said:
The Sea Panther was a very advanced concept for its time.

Back in the 1970's Watermota recognised the need for a small multi cylinder diesel engine, rather than the old thumpers of the time. Westerly were going flat out at the time and were very keen.

Based on the Ford Cortina 1600 block and head Watamota did a huge amount of engineering work of their own, however the combustion work and piston design was done gratis by the local University. The big deal was that the engine was direct injection very advanced for the time, and that was the problem. Lack of sufficient deveopment means that there were always inherient shortcomings with the engine. Harsh, noisy and difficult starting. The original motors were 24 volt only just to get over the starting issue. And as for the Thermostart cold start set up I will say no more.

Other than adding a 12 volt option in later years no further development has taken place.

When Watermota was taken over Stephenson Marine took over support for the Sea Panther.

However life has moved on since the 70's and small multi cylinder Japanese engines, Kubota, Mitsubishi, Shibura and Yanmar are now king in this power node, quiet refined reliable and durable.

Spend 3K on a 'new' Sea Panther built out of a mixture of a few new and old parts many over 30 years old makes no sense. Even Stephenson Marine do a new Sea Panther, but based on Mitsubishi.

Get out of the time warp! Put 3K towards a proper new engine. If you have the Hurth gearbox option rather than the J type engine suppliers may even do you back end to suit your old box as well as mounts to pick up on the Watermota locations locations
Click to expand...
Hi,
I was just reading your reply with interest! I have a Sea Panther with a hurth gearbox and would like to update my engine without adding the cost of a new V drive gearbox! So my question is what company / engine can be supplied with a adapter plate to fit Hurth gearbox and mounts? I look forward to your reply with interest

Kind Regards Tony
 
Tonyniks said:
Hi,
I was just reading your reply with interest! I have a Sea Panther with a hurth gearbox and would like to update my engine without adding the cost of a new V drive gearbox! So my question is what company / engine can be supplied with a adapter plate to fit Hurth gearbox and mounts? I look forward to your reply with interest

Kind Regards Tony
Click to expand...
Welcome

Usually best with a query like yours to start a new thread rather than attach it to an old one where most if not all of the posters are no longer active. The PBO forum is probably better as I assume this engine is probably in a sailing boat.

Anyway a Beta 35 is the obvious replacement and pretty sure will mate to your Hurth gearbox. The mounts and beds may need modification but this is not difficult as once you give Beta the key dimensions they will be able to make you brackets to fit your beds - suspect they have already done it for your old engine. Not the only way of doing it and probably best to talk to a good installing dealer. Where are you based?
 
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