SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!
Looking at a Alberg 35 (full keel, 6.5 Tons). Re powered from a 30hp A4 to a Beta Marine 20hp. The seller claims he bought a Beta 27, but "it wouldn't fit in the hull, so we went with the 20". Lots of space here (Love the access!). The motor sits under a dog house beneath the companion way. Hard to believe they didn't have room for a bigger dog!
Thoughts?
Anyone have an idea of the difference in price between the 20 and 27?
The engine pictured is on what appear to be aluminum motor mounting plates. These could easily have been drilled more aft or forward. I think that it was likely that the PO did not want to remove and replace the prop shaft, or have the current one shortened to fit a larger engine.
My guess is that the larger engine wouldn't fit his budget...
Did some searching and Beta also makes a 20 hp replacement for the A4. Did Atomic make a 20 hp motor? In any case, it seems that "replacement" means that it fits on the A4 mounts. So, height/length could still be an issue.
A Beta dealership site states:
Several Beta Marine diesel engines are available to replace the Atomic 4 gasoline engine depending upon the vessel's displacement. General guidelines for displacement hulls follow, but please contact Joe DeMers for a specific recommendation concerning your boat and application.
Boats between 10,000 and 14,000 pounds need the Beta 20 or Beta 25 engine.
Boats between 14,000 and 18,000 pounds require the 28 hp Beta Marine engine.
The Alberg does have a narrow beam (9'-8") by modern standards, but also has less LWL (24') and a full keel. At 12,600 pounds, that would seem to put it at the top of the first category (Beta 25), or bottom of the second.
Another thread I was looking at, pointed out that charging takes additional hp, something I didn't even consider.
20 hp is probably plenty of power for that boat anyway. Just because it originally had a 30 hp anemic-4 doesn't really mean anything. An A4 was one of the few small inboards available at that time. Having good access to everything on the engine is waaayyy under-rated. If I had my druthers, I would love to have a smaller engine in my boat and forego the extra (and basically unnecessary) few hp I would be losing.
This advice from someone called "Slow but Steady". I'll consider the source
As I indicated, I also value access (and think the Alberg would still have it with a 28hp motor). I keep hearing the gas verses diesel hp debate. But was told hp is hp, no mater how you get it, torque distribution not withstanding. I've heard of reliability issues, but what made the A4 anemic?
Yes, it is either a 20 or 28 HP Beta engine (not 27) and I'm guessing that the price differential is over $1K between the two models. Say $7K for the 20HP and $8.2K for the 28HP (probably add $1K to each price guestimate).
I'd guess that it could be a cabinetry problem as ehirlihy suggested although Beta makes a "drop in" replacement for the A4 in both 20 & 28 HP so the bigger engine should have worked fine.
SBS,
How dare you make fun of my Atomic 3 or 4 engine!!!
"The Atomic 4, a drop in replacement engine for most Beta Marine engines."
Rebuilt Atomic 4's are available from Moyer Marine for around $6K.
Working used models can be had for ~ $1K.
And you'll still have a stinking A4 to deal with, and somewhere between 3 and 30 hp of actual output (depending on the mood of the A4 that day), and gasoline fumes to worry about, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
Maybe I missed this, but have you had a chance to take it out to check speed and thrust against the Bay's nasty chop and churn? You might be surprised if it has the proper prop on it? Shouldn't cost much to ask for a short ride? From the specs you quoted it might be able to do the job?
Maybe I missed this, but have you had a chance to take it out to check speed and thrust against the Bay's nasty chop and churn? You might be surprised if it has the proper prop on it? Shouldn't cost much to ask for a short ride? From the specs you quoted it might be able to do the job?
Paul T
Started another more general thread about the boat, and the consensus among most owners of sister ships seemed to be the motor would be a little light, and that the 28 would have fit. http://www.sailnet.com/forums/boat-review-purchase-forum/94532-looking-alberg-35-a.html
If I decide to make an offer, it would be contingent on a sea trial and survey. Just trying to qualify it now. In addition to the boats lineage, the new motor was the strongest thing going for it, so sufficient power became the issue.
Now I'm wondering, what if conditions are benign during the sea trial? How do you really test for sufficient power? My biggest concern is not so much at sea (though that is certainly important), as handling in tight situations like a marina. For example, the boat might slide into her slip and stop on a dime on a windless day without current. However, how about with a 20 Knot tail wind. If the boat was bristol and slightly underpowered it would be one thing. However, I've got a lot of work to bring this old girl back to life, so it's important she's got the right motor, especially since it's new. Anyway, back on topic, seems the owner tried to save a grand and went with a light motor, as I suspected. How do I test it on a flat water day with no current/wind?
Based on the picture in the OP, someone in the other thread was questioning the way the motor was mounted. The Beta Marine shop where the owner claims the motor was installed has a good reputation. When I looked at the boat, I wondered about the wiring on the new motor instrument panel, but blew it off. With someone questioning the way the motor was mounted, I'm now wondering about the wiring again. Doesn't look dangerous, but I would expect it to be much tidier on a new installation. Maybe he BOUGHT the motor at the shop, but had someone else install it.
Thoughts on the wiring and motor mounts?
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
SailNet Community
1.7M posts
173.8K members
Since 1990
A forum community dedicated to Sailing, boating, cruising, racing & chartering. Come join the discussion about sailing, destinations, maintenance, repairs, navigation, electronics, classifieds and more