which engine?

ironmaiden

ironmaiden

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I'm now at the point where I really must get the engine fitted the problem is which one! there are so many on the market now. I'm looking for something between 20 and 30 HP any one out there long term cruising with experience of a chinese yangdong 27 hp I can get one for about £2000 (new) they are soposed to be well known in the USA. thoughts please.
Rachel /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
I would be very concerned at the availability of spares. My personal choice would be a beta which are not only good engines, but are based on a kubota engine so spares are available worldwide.
 
We were considering replacing our engine and asked around dozens of other cruising boats and diesel mechanics in different islands. The yellow jersey for reliability was Yanmar, nothing else was close.

Out of interest for generators Northern Lights got the yellow jersey with Westerbeke a very close second.
 
Just been through the same process, bought a Beta 37.5 for the reasons mentioned above and because a bigger slower engine is more reliable and more ecconomical. One thing i found - dont rely on the engine manufacturers to advise on size, they want there engines to sound cheap so suggest the smallest size possible to get hull speed. Ie just enough in a flat calm with a perfectly cleam bottom and no extra rig drag such as heavy wire, wind geny etc. I asked the guy who was sorting out the transmission and as soon as I said long distance and a requirment to make good progress off-shore he added 50% to betas estimate of HP and upped the prop from 15-18".
 
[ QUOTE ]
The yellow jersey for reliability was Yanmar, nothing else was close.


[/ QUOTE ]

Seconded - on a previous boat the Volvo caused us nothing but grief.
In the end, bit the bullet and replaced with a Yanmar. Problem free sailing/motoring ever since.

Present boat's got a Vetus (Peugeot based) - not bad, but starting to show it's age (24). Should be good for another couple of years yet; but when it has to go, it too, will be replaced by a Yanmar.
 
Last year I replaced my 26 year old engine which had developed low pressure and needed a major overhaul. After much tooing and frowing I went for another Yanmar. I am very, very pleased with the new one!!
 
I have the Nanni 4150 37.5hp same base engine (Kubota) as the Beta throwing an
18 inch X 14 inch MaxProp . max RPM 2800 ( max designed 3000 RPM ) with this setting of prop only comment is alternator belt adjustment + if you need to change the belt one has to remove the raw water pump or attempt to remove a pipe from the pump.
i keep a spare already threaded behind the pipe ready for instant use.
i now have 500+ hrs of trouble free use. i did run the engine for intentionally long periods for the first 10 hrs to run-in rather than loadsa short cold use
 
Has to be beta ( good deals to be had at the LBS I`m sure) To my mind! Forget Volvo unless you want a anchor! Over size slightly on any manufacturers reccomendation and use a smaller prop should a hole appear behind the boat at "full chat". If you have twin tanks install a switch over pre filter system, such as the propriety racor ones and do have the ability to feed from either tank as required. I would also install a balance pipe with a stopcock on it between tanks (yeah alright I know its not allowed according to the BSS) Of course you could install a fuel polisher but the £6+K is a bit over the top unless the boat is over eighty feet and commercial. i.e. uses large amounts od fuel on a regular basis. IMHO
 
we have yanmar 3JH in our moody 346 .Love the engine which is four years old now but when you look at spares prices they are very expensive although i am aware this applies to lots of other makes and there is really no way round this problem of spares prices .
 
Thanks for all the input from everyone.
I think I'm going for the Beta they are willing to give me a good deal and there seems to be lots of options on the engine spec at no extra cost.
Many thanks Rachel. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I suggest that you go for a Nanni instead of a Beta.
If you want to know why I will tell all.
I will NEVER have a beta again.
 
Re: I will NEVER have a beta again.

please enlighten me cos I'm about to part with quite alot of dosh...
the beta and the nanni are based on the same kubota engine but the beta seems to be a tad better thought out ...like you don't have to dismantle the cooling system to change the belt....
please share your views,
Regards Rachel. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: I will NEVER have a beta again.

We had a warranty claim. One of those things -value £120.
Beta did not behave well in my opinion at all and sought to resist for 5 months.
If they behave like that over things that you can see and notice What might they have done on the parts you can not see just to save money.

Nothing wrong with the Kubota engine itself. It is excellent
 
Re: I will NEVER have a beta again.

i was told that the Nanni is better "Marinised" than the Beta.
the Nanni warrenty is rubbish. never had to claim but very restrictive.
the wiring loom had to be altered as they ( the importer ) used under-sized crimp connectors & has done so for years, the cripm didnt totally enclose the strands on the larger dia wires
 
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