Dilemma/Opportunity: Rebuild or Buy New?

[Valiente]

As some may be aware, I hope to commence long-term cruising in '09 for five years. In order to fit a CV coupler, soft mounts, assorted welding jobs and new water/fuel tanks, I'm hauling my engine this winter. It's a 1988 (est.) Westerbeke W-52 four-cylinder diesel (52 HP) with a mere 1,300 hours on it. It's been reliable so far, but I've observed some exhaust issues have put water into the block (this has been remedied) and I suspect that low hours have led to some condensation issues: some of the rockers and valves are showing corrosion.

My thought was to do a top-end rebuild this winter and have the block throughly examined and brought up to scratch.

A friend suggested that as the engine is pretty fresh for 19 years old (and has never seen salt), that I simply sell it and get a new Yanmar in the 75 HP range. He suggests that this will give me the warranty on a new engine, the advances in diesel tech since the '80s (this Westerbeke is big, heavy and Perkins-like), and the extra thrust will turn my new 19" four-blade Variprop with more gusto (the current wheel is a fixed 18" three-blade). My shaft is 1.25".

A more powerful Yanmar might weigh the same (650 lbs.) or less than the Westerbeke, may sip diesel less per HP, and probably has a larger worldwide parts distribution network than Westerbeke. On the other hand, I have all the documentation/manuals/parts numbers for the Westerbeke, and it doesn't look ridiculously complex to service. Parts/spares aren't cheap, but they are cheaper than Volvo, and are interchangeable with many engine makes...like Perkins.

I have serviced and rebuilt an Atomic 4...that's it for my experience. I don't own a car, and I never took shop, but I'm capable of learning.

Another factor is that the Canadian dollar is suddenly worth around 1.01 U.S.
There hasn't been as good a time to buy imported expensive stuff than in the next few months, it's said.

Ladies and gentleman, if money wasn't the issue, what would you do?

[PBzeer]

I'd go new. You've already had issues, though resolved, with the Westy, and with the advances in technology, likely fuel savings, and a warranty, just seems to make sense to get the Yanmar. You'll have a summer to break it in and make sure all is well, and you'll be less likely to break down during your cruise.

[bestfriend]

V - when it comes to cars and all other things on land, I can and would rebuild(unless I am feeling old). When it comes to being on a five year cruise out in the middle of nowhere with not much between you and the sea floor, I would buy new if money wasn't the issue.

[cardiacpaul]

"I hope to commence long-term cruising in '09 for five years. In order to fit a CV coupler, soft mounts, assorted welding jobs and new water/fuel tanks, I'm hauling my engine this winter. "

get the new motor, warranty, more efficient, might be a pound or two lighter, all that...
sell the used motor.

[sailingdog]

V-

I think it makes a lot more sense to get a new Yanmar and sell the Westey.

[wind_magic]

I'll say what I always say.

In my opinion, it's about you.

Invest in the skills, experience, and knowledge, it sounds like you already want to, so why not go for it ? Sure, it costs a little more to spend time learning your motor, rebuilding it, spending money on tools that aren't good for anything else, taking valuable time away from other things, etc. But the trip is about you, you are the core component of the system, and it's your skills and general merit that will see you through to the other side. Confidence gives you freedom, and that confidence comes from direct first hand experience.

New engine, old engine, doesn't really matter. If you know intimately what is going on then you are able to be proactive, and you keep the ability to respond when someone else might have to turn back and find a daddy to make it all better for them. My opinion is you should go for it, invest in yourself and your own talents while you can, while the lessons are easy and cheap.

[RickLaPaz]

And one more vote for the new engine swap. peace of mind, warranty, lighter and quieter, technology, fuel consumption, greener(?) ad nauseum. Plus you can scrub and paint the bilge, re-do your fuel lines and system, upgrade the engine controls and gauges, inspect the tranny and so on. Start new with your personalized touch and expertise. That will hopefully give you two or three important items that you won't need to sweat about some dark and stormy night off of Boat Eater Reef...........

Plus the Wester should be worth some decent bucks to the right party.

[Faster]

Val
This will likely be a minority suggestion... but based on our experiences and your plans to travel far and wide:

if you decide on new, take the time to look into the Pathfinder engines. The company is based in Montreal, so shipping would be easy for you. I believe you will find the purchase price lower than comparable Yanmar/Volvo etc.

They now produce a 65 HP model. All their engines are based on the proven VW 4 cyl diesel, and all marine parts are the usual sources (Jabsco, Bowman, Hurth)

VW engines are used and in production in many parts of the world and for the most part, regular engine parts will be much less expensive than those for Yanmar and others. Problems with other parts like the RW pump (Jabsco) or the gear (Hurth) will be the same as with the other brands.

We have had good service with Pathfinder and FedEx for overnight parts shipment to the west coast. Stuck in some remote area you may well have more luck finding a VW part than the others.

For reasons that are beyond me, Pathfinders are not in favour in the US, especially, though they were used extensively by builders in the early 80s.

We have had two boats now with these engines, and having rebuilt one for around $1500 in parts, am glad not to be paying Yanmar and Volvo prices.

[kmclarke]

I also would, and did go new. Another option to consider would be the Cummins 4b3.3 65 hp at 2600 rpm and 55hp at 1800 rpm. We installed ours this spring and so far so good. It is a nice alterenative to the noise and shorter life span of a turbo engine.

[HoffaLives]

I'm dealing with a similar issue with my CS 36T (it has an 80's era westy as well) and I talked to a local well-known surveyor about it, and he reminded me that most of the time it really isn't simply cost of rebuild vs cost of new.

In most cases there is a great deal of work that has to be done in the engine compartment before that new engine can sit there. Issues of exhaust, control cables and levers, wiring, mounts, alignment and on and on often mean that you will pay far more than a rebuild. I know of one guy that repowered the same boat as mine and it set him back 24 grand, and only 8 of that was engine.

While there is no doubt the technology in engines has improved, the one in your boat has been there and apparently done fine for twenty years. If it was an obviously poor engine or faulty design that would be one thing, but if it's proven it's worth, at least you know what you are getting.

FWIW, rebuilding a top end while ignoring everything below is like doing a tune up by replacing only half the spark plugs. You might as well go through the whole thing while it's out; if nothing else you'll stop those messy and annoying oil leaks before they start.