Which small diesel inboard?

Seagreen

Seagreen

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 Jul 2005
Messages
2,299
Location
Tied up away from the storm. Oh yes.
Visit site
Well I suppose this topic has been beaten to death a number of times, but since this is the start of the 2006 fitting out season, and times, models and prices change, I thought I'd chuck this into the air again. If this has been recently discussed, can some kind soul point me in the right direction please.

So, the topic:
A wooden deep keel boat about 22 foot long and just over 2 tons needs a new diesel, straight shaft not saildrive.

I'm considering the 9hp - 14hp power ranges only. Yanmar, Beta, Nanni, Volvo, etc? Considering cost vs. reliability, fuel economy and costs of spares and servicing, who likes what and why. Are there any clear favourites or do I just draw a name out of the hat?
I suppose I'm looking for cheap, but then again I'd prefer a heat exchanger and warning sirens to the very basic models.
Mac /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I would look at the Yanmar range. They used to have a 2GM20 (20 hp) but may have now upgraded to the new YM20 series.

Advantages.

Small footprint.
Spares available throughout the world.
Good reliable engine.
Economical.

Shop around as the engine manufacturers are "doing" deals at the moment!

Peter.

BTW
I'm just about to buy a new Yanmar for a club boat and have been offered a new 3YM30 for £3800 + vat?
 
I would go for a Beta 10. I have one in a 26' sloop & it is reliable, at the lower end of the cost ranges, based on the Kubota engine so spares no problem, and as economical as any. Also small footprint & easy to work on. Beta also have excellent customers service & helpline.
 
We had a Yanmar 1GM10 which I fitted brand new in a boat once. We were very happy with it. Single cylinder diesels do tend to dance around on their mountings when they are idling.

Beta and Nanni are both based on the same Kubota engines so you pay your money and take your choice. Lots of people swear by Beta, but we had a Nanni and were very pleased. It also stopped on the key - like a diesel car does - which appealed at the time. No stop control, just a bit of electronics and a solenoid. Perhaps Beta have this feature as well now?

Vetus make nice small engines. We discounted Lombardini when we were last buying as the service points were going to be difficult to access in out installation. The range is supposed to be light, but I didn't think they were very much lighter.

Personally, I don't think any of the modern diesels are bad and I don't see any huge difference in the market. Why don't you just try and see what will fit and what deals are available?
 
The Yanmar 1GM is small, easy to work on and has plenty of power for youur needs. My boat is about twice the tonnage of yours, and we get by on an old 1GM (7.5HP when it were new, 4.7 donkeys and a small goat these days), with a 2-bladed prop, so the 9hp Yanmar 1GM10 ought to be plenty. The Beta is, I believe a tad heavier but has a more robust build, in my limited experience.
Either is a good choice, and they are probably the two most popular engines.
 
HI

I think a mutual friend may just have what you need, check with 'm' of espanola. The engine is out of the iroquious [ spelt that wrong ]catamaran.

regards. bad news about the nobby !!
 
I have a 3-cylinder Lombardini (LDW903M) in my Centaur. Funnily enough one of the reasons for choosing it over a Nanni / Beta / Kubota was ease of servicing (apart from a better design).
Previously I had fitted a single cylinder (LDW402M, no longer made) in a 20 foot Vivacity. It would give me around 6 hours of trolling on 1 gallon of diesel.
At present they make a little 2-cylinder job, also with heat-exchanger, that might suit your boat.
As regards weight, I do believe that they are lighter than the competition. Hence my choice for the Vivacity. This is easily checked though. Just make sure that you are comparing like with like, e.g. same gearbox.
If space is restricted, especially on the port side, check to see how the heat exchanger is attached. On my Centaur, removing a Nanni Heat Ex would have been awkward - to say the least - as it was on long studs, meaning that it had to be pulled away, all the way, till the studs would be cleared. On the Lombardini the Heat Ex is attached with Allen Bolts and therefore the problem does not exist.
At the end of the day it is usually down to personal preference and wallet.
Good Luck!
 
I changed from a 1GM10 to a Beta 13.5 (the change was mainly for an increase in power) and both engines I think are very good. The Beta is much smoother than the Yanmar as it is 2 cylinder, and has the big advantage of being fresh water cooled. Mind you both ranges have recently changed so this may no longer be a difference.
Probably one of the most important factors is choosing the right footprint and access to important bits like filters etc.
Also look at gear ratios and sizes of prop. If you are retricted for diameter you may need the extra shaft revs - the transmission of power is just as important as the power of the engine itself. Don't just go by the recomendations of the manufacturer as they tend to be generic.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Yanmar has an excellent name in Greece...
In general avoid single-cylinder engines.

[/ QUOTE ]As he has asked for engines in the 9-14 Hp range, this is a bit of a problem as the only Yanmar in that range IS a single cylinder model!

[/ QUOTE ]
You're right of course. Actually a "On the other hand" is missing from the beginning of the second sentence /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I went looking for a new Iron Tops'l last summer. I talked to everyone that I know that was in the know. They all said Beta.

I went to SBS & my wallet said Beta.

I bought a Beta 16 which is only a little bigger in dimensions than the 10 or 13 which are all twin cylinders (Price difference was minimal too). It was fitted in the autumn.

When we brought the boat back to my berth we checked the fuel consumption. Nothing short of incredible. My 26 footer travels at 4.5 knots in a calm sea at 2000 RPM(just over half Max RPM & consumed .5 Litre per hour. Now I don't know about you but I am ecstatic with that.

So my vote is for Beta.

Martin
 
I discounted beta because you can not hand start them.

Oh I know it is not easy to hand-start a smaller Yanmar, but it can be done, I have done it!

But the other advantage is that you can start on a nearly flat battery by releasing compression and dropping it in slowly which gives the starter motor a chance. I don't understand why so many small marine engine builders have chosen to move away from hand starting, maybe they believe everyone now plugs into shore-power and only day-sails!

I asked the chap on the beta stand when I was sourcing engines, his answer to me, "Oh we don't need hand starting as we use glow plugs!". I left.
 
I've often wondered why some engines don't need glow plugs, presumably higher compression or something along those lines. It has to be pretty damned cold before the 1GM fails to start straight away, all other things being equal.
Mind you, they rarely are, I hope I'm not tempting fate for the first start-up of the season! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
Hi there. Guess we met up last month in the boat, or are you a mate of the big D and not himself. Message me with the answer if you are too shy!

I'll get in touch with M and add it to the usual trivia. The Nobby is indeed toast, or soggy kindling. I hope someone has the time and money to rebuild her, but as it would be her second reincarnation, I doubt it.

As regards the topic, I think the opinion is moving slightly ahead in favour of Beta engines, but I'll have to start adding in the other parameters. Theres lots of space, as it would be replacing an old Petter. Nice advice about the two cylinders. older boats don't need there framing shook up too much.

Cheers.

Mac /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Skipperscouse! I think I may have just messaged you back. I'll chase M about the engine. Is that out of the cat you had to scrap? I'll be in touch, depending...

As for the rest, thanks for the advice so far. Is it just me or are Beta ahead by a sliver? Also, thanks for poining out that twin cylinders are kinder to old hulls than single ones.

Any more opinions?
Mac /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Entirely agree! Hand starting is a must for us and, like you, we simply do not understand why this extremely useful safety/back-up feature has been deemed 'not needed' by the makers these days.
 
My old boat had a YGM20F & that had no hand start facility. It also had no heater plugs & could be a pig to start. Mind you, it always started. Also see i've added to my original post regarding the speed obtained.


The semi pro's I talked to basically said there was no sensible alternative to the Beta. It became the logical choice for me, in the end. Mind you, I'm too fat & knackered to hand start a motor

Martin
 
[ QUOTE ]
I don't understand why so many small marine engine builders have chosen to move away from hand starting.

[/ QUOTE ]
I have had a drive pin on order for my VP 2002 since last November, and I'm still waiting, I asked why it was taking so long, and was told, that volvo are reluctant to have people hand start their engines. I don't know if this is the truth , or I'm just being fobbed off.
 
I cannot quote chapter and verse but for many years I have been under the impression that hand-start is not allowed under EU safety regulations.
Seeing the type of ideas that come out of there, I would not be at all surprised if my information were correct!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top