Where to get new beta engine fitted near Thames estuary?

[Conachair]

Might just get enough pennies together for a new engine before too long. Think I'll probably go for a beta 35 or 38. So what companies can I phone for quotes to buy and get it fitted round the thames estuary? Bearing in mind i'll need a liftout as well.

Beta website came up with 5 -

marine agencies , Ramsgate
Otterham creek boatyard , Rainham
Hardy engineering , Burnham
AB Clarke , Mersea
DB engineering , Brightlingsea

Anyone any experience with any of these guys?

Much thanks in advance.

 

[MoodySabre]

I had a new Beta put in my boat at Bradwell by a local guy who came recommended (now deceased) and he got the engine from Hardy at Burnham who are Beta agents.

I would recommend John Rook of Althorne Marine 07939 100822 as a very reliable engineer well up to this job. He is based at Fambridge but travels all over.

 

[RivalRedwing]

Try and obtain references as well as quotes, I've been involved with three boats which have been re-engined by 'reputable' yards. One failed to include a siphon break for the raw water inlet (owner nearly lost the engine due to water entering the cylinders) one failed to upgrade the shaft seal from a solid stuffing box to a flexible one when installing a modern engine with softer feet and the third didn't re-install a Halyard shaft seal correctly after fitting the engine, causing premature failure of the seal (and they stripped the threads on one of the propsahft clamp bolts and bodged a repair). Check the quote carefully for omissions and ask questions; all would appear to have tried to cut corners to save a few £. Ishould add that none of them feature in your list.

 

[Conachair]

Try and obtain references as well as quotes,

i was hoping to get a few on here

How does everyone else do it? I could get the old one out myself without a crane and maybe just get an engineer in to fit the new one I suppose. Doesn't need to be a yard. Does it?

Also, it's a bukh dv20 coming out, has anyone replaced a dv20 with a beta 35 or 38? Much work involved? Steel boat so welding up mounts wouldn't be difficult.

TIA

 

[Tranona]

35 is probably OTT. 28 will be more than powerful enough. Fitting is not a difficult job. Beta can probably do you custom mounts to fit your existing beds. If you are able to use the existing sterngear then you can do it all in the water, although almost certainly you will need to change the prop which of course needs a lift.

 

[Conachair]

35 is probably OTT. 28 will be more than powerful enough.

Not sure of that. 20hp is most definitely not, can't motor into anything more than a light breeze and any kind of seas it just gets stopped dead. I've had to motorsail for hours befoire against wind and current as I couldn't motor 10 minutes round a headland. Deeply dull.

33', LWL is 26'3" and the boat is 10.5t . From Calders Marine Diesel Engines sizing section it comes out at round about 40hp. When built the 2 options were 20hp & 35hp.

 

[MoodySabre]

Good point made above. The shaft and coupling will probably need replacing and the engine may turn the opposite way. Betas need a RH prop. And while that's all out it's a good time to do the cutless bearing....

John Rook took my engine out and refitted it with the boat in the water but they used the yard crane for lifting. I wasn't replacing anything, just fixing.

 

[pappaecho]

If you have either the 35 or 38 fitted, make sure that it has fitted a proper antisiphon device , because any sign of moisture and the springs in the injection pump will fail. Trust me I had major problems.

 

[Conachair]

If you have either the 35 or 38 fitted, make sure that it has fitted a proper antisiphon device , because any sign of moisture and the springs in the injection pump will fail. Trust me I had major problems.

Had the same with the bukh after a blown head gasket. The Pardeys might like sailing engineless but bit too stressful for me

Out of interest - which way does a RH prop turn? At the moment it's anticlock looking backwards - kicks to port in reverse.

 

[ianat182]

I believe Babylon of these fora has just replaced his Bukh 20 with a Beta; as I understand it much of the fuel lines and exhaust routeing is on the opposite side with a Beta.
You probably will need a different propellor fitted depending on the gearbox ratio, perhaps your existing prop can be re-pitched to save a few quid.
A PM to Babylon may get some advice re prices to expect, though he was in the Bursledon area,Hampshire.

ianat182

 

[sailorman]

Had the same with the bukh after a blown head gasket. The Pardeys might like sailing engineless but bit too stressful for me

Out of interest - which way does a RH prop turn? At the moment it's anticlock looking backwards - kicks to port in reverse.

L/H as viewed from astern.
i would strongly suggest a hydraulic box like the PRM 150 they are bullet proof & fitted to hire fleets & my boat as well .
less transmitted noise & more reliable.
The PRM can run either hand so existing prop can be reused

 

[MoodySabre]

Out of interest - which way does a RH prop turn? At the moment it's anticlock looking backwards - kicks to port in reverse.

I have a left hand prop - kicks to starboard in reverse.

 

[Crowblack]

To fit a Beta engine ?

Would reccomend Dennis Beeston at DB Marine in Brightlingsea, can't speak highly enough of his thoroughness to doing a proper job in a professional manner.

He has wide experience of different types of boat Mobo's and yachts, Gardner diesels to Beta's - a real marine engineer.

No relation other than a very satisfied customer.