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I am in the process of specifying a new boat and have the choice of engines - a Yanmar 2GM20 or a Volvo 2020. Has anybody any opinions on the merits of these options? Which one would you choose?
steve_cronin
N/A
Having owned both I would go for the Yanmar.
It is quieter, more economical, more reliable, lighter and the old gripe, doesn't require a private income to maintain
Steve Cronin
It is quieter, more economical, more reliable, lighter and the old gripe, doesn't require a private income to maintain
Steve Cronin
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Yanmar was our choice for the following reasons
a: We read THE TOTORORE VOYAGE by Gerry Clarke. His Volvo gave him terrible service.
b. Friends of ours owned a sailboat company. They used to install Volvos, but got so many complaints on the cost of engine maintenance that they switched to Yanmars and the majority of their problems went away. They had chosen Volvo because "they were cheaper to install", but found they were much, much more expensive to maintain.
And we have been very happy with our choice of a Yanmar. In the eight years since we have installed it, we have had zero maintenance problems (though Peter is a fanatic about caring for it). Only problem we had was with the transmission, though that was not the engine's fault.
Good luck
a: We read THE TOTORORE VOYAGE by Gerry Clarke. His Volvo gave him terrible service.
b. Friends of ours owned a sailboat company. They used to install Volvos, but got so many complaints on the cost of engine maintenance that they switched to Yanmars and the majority of their problems went away. They had chosen Volvo because "they were cheaper to install", but found they were much, much more expensive to maintain.
And we have been very happy with our choice of a Yanmar. In the eight years since we have installed it, we have had zero maintenance problems (though Peter is a fanatic about caring for it). Only problem we had was with the transmission, though that was not the engine's fault.
Good luck
tony_brighton
New member
I heard Sunsail had the same choice/problem - and went for Yanmar. Of course that may not be a recommendation but you'd expect them to do their sums carefully.
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Guest
Guest
Re: Yanmar was our choice for the following reasons
Thanks for the input, do you have any view on the quietness / vibration levels of the two choices?
Thanks for the input, do you have any view on the quietness / vibration levels of the two choices?
G
Guest
Guest
If you vibration problems, there\'s something wrong
We had a vibration problem which required replacing the shaft and the shaft tube. The engine, if mounted properly should have little vibration, according to my husband and the mechanics we spoke with. And indeed, the vibration was not the engine's fault, because once the shaft and stuff was fixed, there was no vibration.
Noise. We had a BMW Marine Engine before installing the Yanmar. The Yanmar was so much quieter that I was amazed. But that's not a comparison with a Volvo, and I still think engines in a sailboat are loud compared to sailing. However, I don't think it can be too terribly loud because the aft bunks are alongside the engine compartment, and neither of us have difficulty sleeping on our off watch when the engine is running.
We had a vibration problem which required replacing the shaft and the shaft tube. The engine, if mounted properly should have little vibration, according to my husband and the mechanics we spoke with. And indeed, the vibration was not the engine's fault, because once the shaft and stuff was fixed, there was no vibration.
Noise. We had a BMW Marine Engine before installing the Yanmar. The Yanmar was so much quieter that I was amazed. But that's not a comparison with a Volvo, and I still think engines in a sailboat are loud compared to sailing. However, I don't think it can be too terribly loud because the aft bunks are alongside the engine compartment, and neither of us have difficulty sleeping on our off watch when the engine is running.
chippie
New member
Interesting responses. Its would be good if the Volvo chiefs could see the responses.
Jcorstorphine
Well-known member
No contest, go for Yanmar
ex disgusted volvo owner
PS If I was ever to buy another second hand boat, it would not have a Volvo, once bitten twice shy, they are a liability
ex disgusted volvo owner
PS If I was ever to buy another second hand boat, it would not have a Volvo, once bitten twice shy, they are a liability
peterb
New member
We had a club boat which had a replacement Volvo engine. Volvo offered us a three year warranty provided it was serviced by Volvo engineers. At the first service, due to a faulty workshop manual, the cylinder head bolts were overtightened to the point where (perhaps fortunately) one broke, so the lot had to be replaced. At the end of the three-year warranty period we added up the cost of the maintenance; it exceeded the cost of the new engine.
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Guest
Guest
Having just had a Yammar 1GM10 fitted I can't say what the difference between the two might be. The spares I looked into were cheaper for the Yanmar, but the main point for was the location of the impeller. The thing I found was get a manual, the handbook is next to useless, it doesn’t really cover the GM engines. The GM manual however covers most things well, but there are some things missing! For example after the engine has been left standing for over a month the hand book covers the need to turn it over to distribute the oil it but the manual doesn’t. But the manual covers cold starting which the handbook omits for the GM (mind you neither the engineer nor the firm initialling the engine know about cold starting the GM either!)
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Guest
Guest
I have been the owner of 1GM and 3GM on different boats, I have never had any problems, easy to start, economical, reliable. I am aware that small Volvo engine owners have many problems.
johndf
New member
what problems are common on Volvo\'s?Volvo
My Volvo 2030 29HP is just over a year old now and no problems so far. What should I be looking out for - what horrors can I expect?.
My Volvo 2030 29HP is just over a year old now and no problems so far. What should I be looking out for - what horrors can I expect?.
Eudorajab
New member
I too have had both and would definately go for the Yanmar
pete
Well-known member
Re: what problems are common on Volvo\'s?Volvo
The horrors of owning a Volvo are the exorbitant cost of spares as you will find out before long.
The horrors of owning a Volvo are the exorbitant cost of spares as you will find out before long.
Grehan
Well-known member
First item on the agenda of my Diesel course was "what engine have you got in your boat?".
Sabbs and Yanmars received grunts of approval from the salty old mechanic running the course. Volvos were greeted with heartfelt commiserations. His opinion was that Volvo sell them below cost - that's why lots of new boats have 'em - then recover all necessary profit solely on spares and servicing.
This opinion seems to be very widespread.
I wonder what Volvo think - or maybe they just don't care?
Sabbs and Yanmars received grunts of approval from the salty old mechanic running the course. Volvos were greeted with heartfelt commiserations. His opinion was that Volvo sell them below cost - that's why lots of new boats have 'em - then recover all necessary profit solely on spares and servicing.
This opinion seems to be very widespread.
I wonder what Volvo think - or maybe they just don't care?
billmacfarlane
Active member
Re: Yanmar every time
I've got no choice with my imminent new boat , I've got to have a Volvo unfortunately. If I had the choice I would choose a Yanmar. I had one for 11 years on my last boat without a hint of a problem. They are quiet, utterly reliable, economical and easy to maintain. Choose the Yanmar.
I've got no choice with my imminent new boat , I've got to have a Volvo unfortunately. If I had the choice I would choose a Yanmar. I had one for 11 years on my last boat without a hint of a problem. They are quiet, utterly reliable, economical and easy to maintain. Choose the Yanmar.