What small Inboard to buy secondhand

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Gelmaster

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I have recently bought a Hurley 24/70 which came with an outboard.
The boat used to house an inboard, which was removed prior to purchase.
The timber engine cradle is in place and also the shaft.
Can anyone please recommend a suitable inboard for me to search for.
Thank you
 
I guess a single or twin cylinder diesel in the 10-15hp range, either still in production or at least for which spares are still readily available, e.g. Yanmar 1GM or 2GM, Nanni or Beta. Older engines can still be good, although they tend to be heavier. I've known a 24/70 with a Buhk 10, for example.

The main thing is the condition of the engine - many secondhand engines have been replaced because they've become unreliable. So your first question is why has it been replaced?

Rob.
 
Gelmaster said:
... inboard, which was removed prior to purchase.
The timber engine cradle is in place and also the shaft....
Click to expand...
It would be worth finding out whether the AWOL engine was a sensible solution and is still available. You could save yourself a lot of faffing with engine bearers, shaft alignment etc. (Assuming the original installation was sound.)
 
Gelmaster said:
I have recently bought a Hurley 24/70 which came with an outboard.
The boat used to house an inboard, which was removed prior to purchase.
The timber engine cradle is in place and also the shaft.
Can anyone please recommend a suitable inboard for me to search for.
Thank you
Click to expand...

Yanmar 1GM is the obvious choice if buying secondhand. The boat probably had a Petter in originally, so you will almost certainly need a new prop, shaft and rebuild the engine beds as the spacing on modern engines is different. You will also need exhaust, controls and electrics of some sort.

Yanmars (indeed any good small inboard) are rarely available used simply because virtually nobody sells them if they are any good. I sold mine last year - not because it was no good but because it was really too small for the boat and I could afford to buy a new Nanni. I had 4 buyers within an hour of it going on Boats and Outboards at £1200 - which did include shaft, prop, exhaust and controls. It went into a GK 24 to replace a Petter - and the new owner spent nearly as much again on the installation including new mounts and rebuilding the engine bay.

So, you have to be prepared to spend at least £2k for a decent engine and bits plus a lot of work. Better to buy a boat with a good inboard already at this end of the market as a decent engine costs nearly as much as a boat.

As already noted, most used engines are for sale because they are near the end of their life, and often high cost of spares makes them uneconomic. You might get lucky and find a direct replacement (if it was a Petter) but most people are only too wiiling to turn those into anchors!
 
Thank you for the advice everyone (once again).
Looking at my options and financial position, i think i will probably stay with the Tohatsu 6 hp for now and probably buy a small auxiliary.
I only paid 1500 for the boat (which needs mainly cosmetic attention,i hope).
I have never sailed before, and think it might be 12 months before it's launched.
If all goes to plan, then at least i now have an idea of which inboard to look for.
I have just joined NUSC "Newport", and they have very kindly agreed to accept me as a hardstanding member while the work is carried out.
Top club !
 
Now that you're a member of a club, take every opportunity to crew for other members and get to know how to handle a sailing boat! It'll stand you in good stead later, too, when you are looking for crew yourself for a trip.

Rob.
 
Vara said:
I sailed on a small boat with one of these;

http://www.dolphinengines.co.uk/features.php

V quiet, light and suitably agricultural.

Petrol a bit of a problem for some though.
Click to expand...

I never even knew that 2 stroke inboard engines existed. Interesting.
I have been told that 2 stroke outboards are noisy, a bit smokey and very thirsty.
I wonder if the same is said about the inboard versions.
Many thanks for the link.
 
Tranona said:
Yanmar 1GM is the obvious choice if buying secondhand. The boat probably had a Petter in originally, so you will almost certainly need a new prop, shaft and rebuild the engine beds as the spacing on modern engines is different. You will also need exhaust, controls and electrics of some sort.
Click to expand...
Justsearch 1gm10 on here before considering one of these little blighters!
And yes I have one.
Dave
 
Gelmaster said:
I never even knew that 2 stroke inboard engines existed. Interesting.
I have been told that 2 stroke outboards are noisy, a bit smokey and very thirsty.
I wonder if the same is said about the inboard versions.
Many thanks for the link.
Click to expand...

Two stroke O/Bs are still the most popular for tenders due to light weight and simplicity.
Most 2T inboards are rather older (Vire, Stuart Turner) and were often let down by their ignition systems. Dolphin upgraded their systems and seem to have a loyal following.
 
islecastle1 said:
Justsearch 1gm10 on here before considering one of these little blighters!
And yes I have one.
Dave
Click to expand...

is that a recommendation or a warning? Owned one for 18 years. Great bit of kit once you come to terms with its capability. Mind you, it replaced a Stuart Turner!
 
Gelmaster said:
I never even knew that 2 stroke inboard engines existed. Interesting.
I have been told that 2 stroke outboards are noisy, a bit smokey and very thirsty.
I wonder if the same is said about the inboard versions.
Many thanks for the link.
Click to expand...

Dolphin is in fact very quiet and smooth. However it has its own little foibles. Early ones did not have a gearbox so to get reverse you stopped the engine, flicked a switch and restarted running backwards. Could be exciting at times! Later ones had a gearbox. However, most of them have died now, although spares are still available. Once you recognise the dangers, petrol can be used fairly safely. beware fumes from leaking and flooding carbs filling the bilges with very combustiible material. Makes you give up smoking tho'
 
Tranona said:
is that a recommendation or a warning? Owned one for 18 years. Great bit of kit once you come to terms with its capability. Mind you, it replaced a Stuart Turner!
Click to expand...
Well, a warning really. My one was well secondhand when I got it in a 16ft sea angling boat. I've had all the troubles reported on here - exhaust valve and seat burning out, exhaust/ water mixer blocking up. Currently excessive oill consumption. Recently alternator burning out. Overheat sensor packing in.
Compared to my 38 year old Volvo MD2b, it has not been a sparkling success, and no where near the number of hours run.
Dave
 
Only one of those that i had in 18 years was the overheat sender. Did have leaky waterpump leading to corroded pipes. Thats it - and I think more typical if they are run hard from new. Most problems relate to poor installation and too much light running.
 
Tranona said:
Dolphin is in fact very quiet and smooth. However it has its own little foibles. Early ones did not have a gearbox so to get reverse you stopped the engine, flicked a switch and restarted running backwards. Could be exciting at times! Later ones had a gearbox. However, most of them have died now, although spares are still available. Once you recognise the dangers, petrol can be used fairly safely. beware fumes from leaking and flooding carbs filling the bilges with very combustiible material. Makes you give up smoking tho'
Click to expand...

Petrol fumes....damned good point.
I would definitely opt for a small inboard diesel !
 
Gelmaster said:
I have been told that 2 stroke outboards are noisy, a bit smokey and very thirsty.
I wonder if the same is said about the inboard versions.
Many thanks for the link.
Click to expand...

Yes!

Rob.

P.S. The best known 2 stroke inboard was the Vire 6,7 or 12 hp. The Dolphin is simpler with no reverse gearbox - you stop the engine and restart in reverse when required! If it starts like a Vire, then manouvreing becomes a lottery.
 
Inboard engine

The Dolphin 2 cylinder would be a great little engine. However for resale value you would need a diesel because a petrol inboard even if new would be regarded as ancient. But a diesel single cylinder will shake and vibrate something aweful. It is the nature of diesels. A twin cylinder would be vastly better on vibration but still noisy compared to the petrol. Perhaps stick to the outboard. I have one friend with a Spirit 28ft who got problems with his single diesel and opted for outboard. I don't think he regrets the change. good luck olewill
 
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