Re-Powering Advice

[kptmorgan04]

My old Volvo Penta MD21B 60 HP diesel just bit the dust while we were heading into Jacksonville. Currently my boat (36ft 1981 ketch rig) is at Palm Cove Marina in Jax. I have had a mechanic by the name of Dan Parker of Pinpoint Captains Services, Mobile Yacht Repair. He tried to fix the old engine, whch was smoking, later to find we had to replace the head gasket and that we had one cylinder not in good shape. After the head gasket was replaced, the engine died for good.
After reading through some stuff on here and the internet, it looks like I am leaning toward the Yanmar 4JH4E 54 HP. I am not on the boat, but my "co-captain" who knows as much about the boat and its systems as I do will be fore the next few weeks.
So as for the questions:
Does anyone know anything about Pinpoint Captains Services or have any other recomendations for mechanics in the Jax general area? He seemed good and to know his stuff, but I am no mechanic, so just figured I would ask. He was arranging with a Yanmar dealer for them to put a bid for the job, I believe the engine goes for about 9k. Typically what type of ballpark price range am I looking for in labor and other equipment fees?

Any suggestions or reccomendations as per engine replacement and things that can be done to prep the job?

One issue I think will be the transmission conversion, which I really know nothing about. A call was put into Volvo for their recommendations, but am waiting for a call back.

So basically, I am at square one and trying to gather as much info as possible, so I would appreciate anything and everything.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

[Freesail99]

While I don't know the HP of the Yanmar, I was quoted much more for a 23 to 29 hp motor. Check the price of the engine.

[JimsCAL]

If the yard does everything, figure labor at about equal to the cost of the engine. Thus for a $9000 engine, total installed is about $18,000. If you can do some of the work yourself (like removing the old engine and/or installing some of the new engine systems) you can save a lot on the labor. A friend recently had a new Yanmar put in his 39 foot Irwin and total cost was over $20,000.

[Rockter]

Those installation costs are outrageous.... $9000 to fit a motor???? Haul the boat and fit it yourself. Call in someone to do your alignment if you must, but ft it yourself.

Be careful that the Yanmar may turn the prop the other way. You may need a new prop if it does.

Would a 40 hp motor not move a 36 ft ship ok? Certainly my 35 hp moves my36 ft 23,000 lb cutter ok.

A 54 hp motor is big, and heavy, and will use more fuel, and is more costly to maintain. Does it really need to be that big? It is an auxiliary after all.

Check out the 40 hp Beta Marine. The motor is a Kubota, and used in construction plant, so the spare parts prices are not too bad.

Don't put another Volvo in there. I have one, and I would not fit another. Not because the motor is bad, but because Volvo have lost the plot on spare part prices.

I have no connection to Beta.

Rockter.

[PBzeer]

Beta's are typically cheaper, and are well set up for maintaince. They also come with a transmission (don't know if the Yanmar does). When I have the bucks, I'm planning on swapping out my 13hp Yanmar for a 25hp Beta.

For $9,000, that sounds like it must be a rebuilt. If possible, pulling and refitting the new engine would save you a ton of money. Even if you had someone else hook up the wiring. There's also a good chance you'll need a new control panel, new engine mounts, etc. Good luck with getting her going again.

[sailingdog]

I'd third the recommendation for the Beta's. I've worked on one recently, and it was much simpler to access much of what was needed than other engines I've seen. Unfortunately, going with a different engine is going to require new engine mounts, and some serious work setting up and aligning the new engine and propshaft.

If you can haul the boat and do most of the engine installation yourself, it would save you considerable money.

[Vasco]

The 4JH series are good engines. The latest one is even better because the impeller is accessible from the front. 54 hp seems a lot for your boat but it doesn't hurt. You'll need a new prop, RH and new waterlift muffler and larger exhaust . Installation including mounts and all this stuff should run around $5000.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beneteau393/
beneteau393 : Beneteau393 Group

[Freesail99]

All of the engine quotes that I got around 3 months ago included, the transmission and the wiring harness and panel. The Beta marine price I received was $6000.00 higher then my lowest quote which was for a lombardini LBW 1003 which is a 30 hp motor. That price was $7200.00. I looked at them because they are based out of NJ.

[USCGRET1990]

Most diesels are very rebuidable. You may want to check having yours rebuilt
as I'm sure it would be alot cheaper. I did a quick check here:
http://www.marinepartsexpress.com:80...el=four&ID=337
and parts prices aren't too bad.
Also one site said it was 55 hp @ 4500 RPM. http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-do...AB+VOLVO+PENTA

[TSteele65]

Originally Posted by Freesail99

All of the engine quotes that I got around 3 months ago included, the transmission and the wiring harness and panel. The Beta marine price I received was $6000.00 higher then my lowest quote which was for a lombardini LBW 1003 which is a 30 hp motor. That price was $7200.00. I looked at them because they are based out of NJ.

Interesting - I've never heard of Lombardini. Having restored Italian motorcycles and scooters, though, the fact that it's Italian gives me the chills.