Need help on engine choices

[gtod25]

I have at least two options.


1. Existing Perkins 4-236M – 84HP.
2. New Westerbeke - 64A FOUR – 64HP


I would like opinions on the engines, reliability, cost of spares, known issues etc.


Secondly the HP issue. Boat is a Whitby 42 (23,500 lbs). Is 64HP enough? (Westerbeke 82B Four is no longer available).


Any other recommendations appreciated.



Thanks

[camaraderie]

FWIW...I have a 4-236 on my Tayana52 and it has been a great and reliable beast that drives my 50k lbs. at hull speed in all conditions. I frankly can't imagin why a Whitby42 would need this kind of power. Spares are readily available and NOT over-priced compared to other marine engine parts.
I also have a Westerbeke 8kw diesel and it is also reliable but parts ARE outrageously priced and I would assume the same holds true for larger engines. I would think the 64hp is PLENTY for the Whitby. I drove my 25k lb. Irwin44 with a Yanmar 44 down the ICW at over 7 knots so you would have plenty of power to spare.
Hope this is helpful.

[RAGTIMEDON]

64 HP is likely to be plenty. Although my Endeavour is 5 feet shorter than your boat, she weighed 21000 lbs when she left the factory. Add 105 gal fresh water, 50 gal diesel fuel, and all the stuff the Admiral and I put on and she totals over 22k. We can go at hull speed with our 50hp Perkins diesel, which is now 28 years old. Parts for an old Perkins are usually available from a Caterpillar dealer, and reasonably priced. Caterpiller Tractor Co is the current US distributor for Perkins, an English company. Filters, belts, gaskets, pump impellers and such (which is all I have needed so far) cost me less than they did for the 9 HP Yanmar I had on my O'day! Unless the existing Perkins is in pretty terrible shape, I would be reluctant to replace it.

[RXBOT]

Kubota marinized engine.

Beta 50, 4 cyl.,50 BHP@ 2800 RPM. 243 kilos,aprox 21" wide,27" high, 38" long.


Beta 60, 4 cyl, 58 BHP@ 2800RPM, 250 kilos, dimensions similar.

Note height is with normal oil sump a shallow sump is availaable.Legnth includes a transmission and there are optional transmissions available.

[donradclife]

General rule of thumb used to be 2hp per 1000 pounds so the 80hp was overkill for 23,000 pounds. A Beta 50 drives my 45 ft Beneteau weighing about 30,000 pounds at 8 knots at full throttle, and easily at 7 knots.

[Gary1]

Westerbekes will kill you for parts.

[gtod25]

I like the Beta but am having problem locating a supplier, boat will be in Florida.

The cost of parts for the Westerbeke is an issue.

I plan to deep six the Perkins as its a brute (weighs +/- 1100 lbs). Especially as it would have to be lifted to change out the transmission.

Thanks again.

[RXBOT]

US distributer located North Carolina. 252-249-2473.FAX 252-249-0049,800-682-8003. Just google Beta Marine and go to US dist. to view engines.