Yanmar 2YM15 Or 3YM20 for repower

[jbrockpiano]

I have a 30' Islander sloop and have removed the original 1974 Volvo MD6A. The engine room can take either a Yanmar 2YM15 (14 horsepower) or a Yanmar 3YM20 (20 horsepower) the 3YM is about a thousand dollars more. 20 horsepower seems like it would exceeed my hull speed. Any opinions about this ? I sail in the Pacific Northwest. We have fast currents my last boat did fine with a Honda 15 outboard. Any ideas or opinions are welcome.

[sailingdog]

How big was your last boat... saying your last boat did fine with a 15 HP outboard doesn't mean much if it was 20' light-displacement dinghy. How many horsepower was your MD6A, and was it adequate for your use?

Personally, I would probably go with the 3YM20, since you might want to add things like high-output alternators and doing so will rob you of power at the prop end.

[Freesail99]

It also depends on where you are sailing. If your on a lake or even a bay, the 14 hp will be ok. If you venture out into the ocean at all, go for the 20 hp. $1000.00 hell, it's only 1 boat unit .......

[trantor12020]

I would go for 3YM20 if I were you. And if I've more boat units I'll go for the 29HP Yanmar even. I've a H326 with stock 2GM20F. How I wish I had opt for a 3GM30 instead. The extra power lets you spin a bigger prop which is useful when you need it to get you thru heavy sea or fast current. Go for the 3YM20.

[Zogumwesterly]

If you plan on doing alot of motoring the 3rd cylinder will make life a lot more pleasant(less cylinders are louder and more vibrating), I would check the weight and see if that is a factor.

[Joesaila]

My Morgan 30 OI came with a 'replacement' Yanmar 3GM30 engine and while the boat only weighs 9,500 its nice to have the extra power when needed. [Like coming through the Cape Cod canal going easterly with oncoming easterly winds and real choppy 8' seas, whew!]

[jbrockpiano]

I ordered the 20 horse 3Ygm yanmar this afternoon for my 30' islander sailboat people on this site and others I contacted spoke as one voice "more horsepower is better". Only a thousand dollars more. Bring on another thousand is what boating is all about. Thanks for the encourgement.

[jrd22]

Good choice IMHO, especially here in the NW. You won't regret it at all. Fluky winds in the summer and the currents we get here add up to a lot of motoring for most of us. With the extra HP you should be able to increase the pitch of the prop which will enable you to run at a lower RPM (quieter). Don't go too much though, make sure you can still achieve the recommended maximum RPM, or you will be lugging the engine.