Betamarine (kubota based)

deniseO30 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-28-2007

The BM 16hp 2cylinder looks almost identical to the universal 5416 in my Oday! (same engine I assume) I'm far from ready to buy but it seems Beta is likely to be my first choice! I can't think of any reason to go to the 3cylinder except for the smoothness when running. 16 hp moves my boat ok even against the river current that runs about 5-8 knots up this way. Back in June my son noticed that if the throttle is up full the boat actually slowed down some.
questions are: price? dealer back up? (nc dealer) who has installed them in thier boats? Are they super high on parts just like westerbeke & volvo?
thanks as always!

Rockter · #2 (**permalink**) 11-28-2007

Nothing will be more expensive than Volvo for spare parts. Do not learn that lesson the way I did. How's about £1300 (then about $2100) for an exhaust manifold for an MD17C, and that was 10 years ago.

The Kubota will be much more reasonable. It is a tried and tested motor, and is used for plant machinery, so spare parts prices will have to be reasonable, or you can go to the plant supplier.

If the motor you have moves your ship OK, why change it?

If you do, the triple will be smoother than the twin. The parallel twin is notoriously vibratory... I have one on a motorcycle.

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 11-28-2007

I don't believe the Universal and the Kubota are the same, but do believe that one of the Beta Marine Kubotas is designed as a "drop-in" replacement for the Universal.

Freesail99 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-28-2007

Denise, there are OTHER kubota marine engines besides the beta. Which I personaly found to cost 1000's more then any other engine I recieved a quote on. Here is anoter kubota marine engine site:
http://www.frontierpower.com/kubota/kubmarineprop.htm

Moonfish · #5 (**permalink**) 11-28-2007

Beta Marine also has four drop in replacements for the Atomic 4. I only know one person who bought a Beta engine, and he is quite pleased. Stanley at Beta in NC is a great guy and conscientious fellow (he's the one with the British accent). Tell him Darren at Latitudes & Attitudes TV said hi (that won't get you a better price, but at least he'll smile...).

Maine Sail · #6 (**permalink**) 11-28-2007

The Universal diesels are in fact Kubota based as are Beta's, Nanni's and others. If it were me I'd go with the three cylinder for re-sale and smoothness you won't be sorry!!!!

The only difference between any of the Kubota based engines are the parts that make it marinized like the HX, raw water pump etc. etc... Beta does a very nice marinization of the Kubota block as does Nanni the Universal are a little antiquated IMHO but still the same block..

deniseO30 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-28-2007

Thanks guys! I knew it was a kubota D-750 or something but the newer ones are over a 100lbs lighter!. Freesail thanks for the URL to frontier. Mainesail I hear yah on the going for the 3 cyl. I know how smooth they run. there are 5 C30s here wih them! I just wish we didn't have to make calls to get prices on engines. heck I can get prices for any kind of auto engie. even race engines online. but not Diesels.. big secret. LOL