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fear and loathing in fort lauderdale

2017 Views 7 Replies 8 Participants Last post by dieselboy, Sep 4, 2009

inshallamiami

Discussion Starter · Aug 16, 2009

We are repowering our 1969 Morgan 34. We currently have a universal 25xp which runs fine, but is elderly. We will be doing our own installation - and that seems to be the problem. When we contact diesel dealers they are helpful until they find out we ONLY want the engine, not the installation where obviously they make their profit.

Currently we are in fort lauderdale, where you would think there would be plenty of options, suprisingly not. The weaselly (sp?) pricing policies are making us wonder if we should bolt on oarlocks!

We are tired of being treated like red haired bastards! Can anyone recommend a source for buying an universal diesel? We are also considering yanmar and beta engines but are concerned re their footprint etc, feeling that replacing with a similiar but updated universal would be easier. Any input on this would also be appreciated.

sue and pat kennedy
s/v destiny

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flatracker

· #2 · Aug 16, 2009

It is my understanding

That at least some of the Kubotas are made as replacement units for the Universals, and have the exact same footprint, come with the panel and all controls and ready to bolt in. Not sure how accurate this info. is in real life, but might be worth checking out.

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KindOfBlue

· #3 · Aug 17, 2009

flatracker said:
That at least some of the Kubotas are made as replacement units for the Universals, and have the exact same footprint, come with the panel and all controls and ready to bolt in. Not sure how accurate this info. is in real life, but might be worth checking out.

My old Universal was a Kuboda. Universal just modifies them for marine use (heat exchanger, etc). I'm not sure that this is the route that you want to go though.

Just call Universal and have them ship one to you in Fort Lauderdale.

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JimsCAL

· #4 · Aug 17, 2009

The Universal 25XP is a marinized Kubota engine. Both Beta and Phasor engines are also marinized Kubota engines. Fit shouldn't be an issue.

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DwayneSpeer

· #5 · Aug 17, 2009

Beta

I repowered two years ago with a Beta and the folks at Beta were excellent to work with. I did the installation myself and we went thru four rounds of them sending me drawings to review and approve before they would make my engine mounts and other mods but it went real smooth overall. I would recommend a new Beta.

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pschoonveld

· #6 · Aug 17, 2009

Beta also uses a Kubota as the base and then mods them for marine use. I know someone who bought one for a project boat and loves it.

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1Larry

· #7 · Sep 3, 2009

Beta

Beta marine is the way to go. Had a friend repower and run into some problems that he required help with. Spent hours on the phone with the people from beta. The are the best. All engines have problems eventualy, its all about the support.

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dieselboy

· #8 · Sep 4, 2009 (Edited)

I have to tell you all that i am shocked. Damn, near daily but how all of you are treated by " boat shops". I am a heavy line Diesel Mech by trade and by love, i love to do it.. I have an M.E from Texas A&M and don't use it...
I actually am the shop foreman for this shop and a part owner.

Your story is something i hear and i have been treated in the same manor. I was in a major boat shop last weekend and heard this " a-s hat " telling an older couple they needed to repower their boat. As i could hear this story the b/s was pouring out on the floor and i felt sick. at the same time i was being treated like a complete dumb ass by a counter worker who was telling me i was wrong about a couple of blocks i was replacing on my older boat and that i needed the $ 120 ones not the $45 ones.. Now, i am new to sail boats but i am no fool.. I do not buy products not by name but by performance the ones i had in hand were highly rated but not as polished..

I had had it so not only did i tear this punk kid a new one for his belligerence but i drug the owner and head " mech "out to explain to the older couple why their boat needed a new engine. Which was a total snow job..
In the end they admitted they could fix their engine at a fraction of the cost..

As a group.. All of you sailors are taken advantage of and mistreated as a whole.. It really makes me sick! We really need to set up some sort of contact list as a sticky on this site for the go-no go places..

Im sorry for the thread jack, but this stuff just makes me mad.

" sorry my shop is for major Diesel's far to expensive for any one not powering up a big ship to afford"

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