Westerbeke L25 (Watermota Sea Panther) Wanted

[ncw]

My Bristol 32 has an old (1977) Westerbeke L25 (Watermota Sea Panther) engine in it. It works well and I have kept up with the maintenance. But...

I would like to find a discarded one (after repowering) so I could have a source of parts. If you can assist please email me at nateweeks3@gmail.com or followup with leads to this thread. I have a Wanted to Buy posting on Craigslist with more details see Old Westerbeke Marine Engine and Transmission for Parts.

Again, mine runs well with about 1200 hours on it We just took it to Bar Harbor Maine from Cape Cod and motored most of the way

[Trekka]

Can't help you find one, did see one on eBay a few years ago. But want to say that it is a great engine. I had one on my Westerly Centaur. Strong, smooth running. Good luck.

[ncw]

Thanks Trekka, words of encouragement are always appreciated.

I also just received a response to my Craigs List add and thay may be repowering their L25 this fall. Hopefully they will remember me.

I don't think there are alot of them around. I feel a bit like an old British car enthusist keeping an old 1977 British motor running.

[Trekka]

One reason they are not so common here was that Westerbeke imported the engine, but did not support it. I met a few mechanics who grumbled or rolled their eyes when I mentioned this engine.

At the time, the most common engines of this size were the Volvo-Penta's - and we know how well they turned out support-wise for the long run... but at the time their parts were readily available and everyone was familiar with them.

Keep an active search on eBay. I have seen them there.

[Nigelbaker10]

I have just joined Sailnet and am looking for members who have the Westerbeke (Watermota) L25 engine so that I can share expertise. I have owned a 1976 bristol 32 with the L25 diesel engine for the last 23 years and have accumulated a lot of knowledge on the L25 engine. The engine in my boat coupled with the J type reduction gearbox has given reliable performance these last 23 years with a few ( self induced ) problems that were fixed. At this time I am looking at some repair maintenance on my J box after some mis-alignment and sea water ingression from the stern gland. The engine and gearbox are still supported in the UK by two marine shops. Believe it or not the engine and transmission is still in wide use on boats on the river Thames. Please contact me if you require info on this engine.

[ncw]

Hi Nigelbaker10,

Yes, I would be very interested in connecting with you and others around the L25.

As I indicated I am looking for an old one for parts, but I will need some advice as well.

Please contact me at my work email of Nate.weeks@ghd.com

[ncw]

Hi Nigelbaker10,

I am new as well and still learning my way around. Yes, I would like to connect with others for this engine. Mine works well too. I am looking for an old one for parts. Please email me at my work email address as I dont use this space much.

Many thanks, Nate