Old boat needs a NEW engine: suggestions needed!

[brava]

We've got a 1957 Cape Cod Marlin, a small day sailer (23' I believe). It's used on the Severn River and out into the Chesapeake Bay (once in a while on a "big" day...). Very local stuff.

When we got this boat it had the original 1 cylinder inboard gas engine, a 1957 PW27.

Shockingly, this engine, despite valiant interventions, has decided it is Done.

So we need a replacement. I did contact Cape Cod and they suggested the Yanmar 1GM10 9hp or a Nanni 2.10.

Our priorities for the engine would be inboard in the existing compartment if possible, reliable and easy to maintain (and price, of course!). We're willing to compromise on noise and performance - this is a "maneuver to the dock and get us home once in a while when the wind dies" sort of engine.

Any and all suggestions and advice very much appreciated. Thanks!!!

[CalebD]

How heavy was the original 1 cylinder engine?
One idea is a Beta 10 (2 cyl diesel) but it weighs over 180 pounds.
10 Beta Marine US Ltd. Distributors for Kubota based marine diesel engines and generators for sailboats, yachts and trawler boats.
I would suggest looking into an Atomic 4 but I'm pretty sure they weigh more then 300 pounds.
Another option would be to contact Don Moyer at Moyer Marine Inc. who specializes in Atomic 4 gas engines. Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Engine Rebuilding and Parts
He might consider having a look at your PW 27 engine and may be able to refurbish it. MMI is not that far from Annapolis.
You might get lucky and find an old engine on ebay but that is a long shot.
Good luck.

[sailingdog]

The BetaMarine 10 HP is probably too large. It is a significantly larger an engine, being a two-cylinder engine.

[brava]

I don't know how heavy it was -- it's still in the boat...
but if it weighs less than 150 lbs I'd be shocked.

Thanks for the recommendation. We have put a fair amount of work in the engine already so I'm a little reluctant to have anyone take another whack at it (at least that's what I promised myself when it died for the last time, billowing black smoke across the bay...), but it is worth a conversation at least!

Will follow up on both those ideas....

[tommays]

Anything diesel and the word SINGLE (1GM10)defines vibration

[brava]

Well, first of all, it doesn't have to be diesel. Honestly, it just needs to run.
And our standards are pretty low (did I mention the engine was made in 1957?).
And we use it for little snippets of time here and there....

I'd be ok with some vibration if it were functional, fit in the engine compartment, and didn't cost a fortune...

[scottyt]

cost a fortune i am rolling on the floor....

the cheapest thing would be a out board on a mount on the back, as a new marine engine will cost thousands..

[CalebD]

Yes, even a 1 cylinder (1 lung?) gas inboard from 1957 probably weighs a bunch - they don't make 'em like they used to. Sounds like your old girl needs a ring and valve job if not a cylinder re-bore and who knows what else - if it can be saved at all. I recommended Don Moyer because you can actually speak to him on the phone, a rare form of customer service these days.
Do you have any pictures of this old engine PW 27? Old engines like this should be easier to work on then a newer engine as the old ones were usually very simple designs.

It is a Palmer engine with the exposed fly wheel?
There are a few old engine forums with info on the Palmer 27: Old Marine Engine: PW-27
Even the gang over at the Atomic 4 forum seem to enjoy discussions on this not so distant relative of the A4: Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Community - Home of the Afourians - Powered by vBulletin

[omaho5]

There is this boat yard in NH on Lake Winnipessauke. Fay's Boat yard. They have a slew of old engines, one "lungers" and up. Because they do much work on older boats, much older, you may want to call them.
Tel # 603 293 8000. Ask to speak wth Jeff, Wayne or Merrill.
They can at least give you some directon. Say Bill O told them to speak wth you.

[CalebD]

It turns out that the Mystic Seaport in CT has a good working collection of Palmer motors: Palmer Bros. NR-2 (T-head)
I'm all out of ideas right now.