Recommendations for Robinhood Marine for repowering.

[jen1722terry]

Hey CDers,

Thanks so much for the recommendations on yards/mechanics to date.

UPDATE: On our way over to Yarmouth for winter haul out and repowering, we stopped in at Robbinhood Marine to overnight in the small craft warnings.

We visited Dave Perry, whom most of you know, and asked him his opinions on a repower with Beta Marine (20 hp). He told us that Robbinhood had just received a Beta dealership and already had two CD 31's lined up for winter repowering. So we asked them for estimates, which they are working on as we write this.

Question: other than Dave, we've never dealt with Robbinhood for major service. We know the company changed hands last year, but that's about all we know. So, if any of you can share recent experiences, good or bad, about Robinhood service, we would most appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,

Jenn and Terry

[moctrams]

When I repowered in 2010, I contacted Ben Thomas from Oregon Marine Industries (0mi@integra.net) and got a great deal. Ben gives a 17% discount to Cape Dory.org members. My local marina operator installed the new Beta BD-722 for me. The cost of the engine was a little over $10k including adaptive stringers. I forgot what the install price was. Perhaps Robinhood Marine can make you a similar deal. The picture is one of the adaptive stringers.

[Ben Thomas]

The CD 30 requires a V-drive, which adds substantially to the cost. Standard Smaller block Beta engines from 14 to 30hp come with a TMC-40 transmission with multiple gear ratios available.
I don't think the 31 needs a V-drive. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

[Maine_Buzzard]

I have not had mechanical work done there, but they have the right stuff. Great staff, organized, clean, and a collection of better than average boats on site.

With no bed work, expect about 40-50 hours work to swap the engine, along with $3500 of other parts. It's a good time to replace the muffler, hose, shifter, shaft log hose and cutless. Plan on a new prop and shaft too.

Your diesel tank will be twice as large as it needs to be... I think I burn a gallon in three hours at 2200. I'd love to rig a 5 gallon removable seasonal tank and leave the 20 gallon tank for when I'll be driving the length of the ICW. Inspect it and consider resizing.

Their recent change to serpentine belts is awesome. I was eating a belt a season from rusty pulleys.

Can they provide a reference of a similar job recently?

[Neil Gordon]

I repowered with a Beta two years ago. Ben Thomas was great to deal with as was Beta USA in NC. I especially appreciated the veteran rebate!

I took delivery of a Beta 14 at home, put it in the back of my Jeep, dropped it off at the marina and had an independent mechanic (who I've worked with for 20 years) do the install. New cutlass bearing, prop, shaft. The new Beta is half the weight and lots smaller than the Volvo MD7A it replaced.

[jen1722terry]

Thanks to all for the thoughts. We just signed a deal for a Beta 25 with a 75 amp alternator.

As we live aboard the entire summer and can easily put 150 hours on the engine each season, often in difficult weather, we thought the extra hp was worth it for the extra $450.oft

Robinhood's pricing came in around the same as Sound Marine and Johanson (Rockland) for the engine. Their labor is a bit higher but they gave us about $1,000 off of storage and related services. The whole install with many new parts is about $15K.

Not peanuts on our income, but we look forward to many years of reliable, cleaner, quiter and more efficient use, saving maybe 40 gallons of fuel and not worrying so much.

We caught up with Dave Perry last night when he graciously offered to drive us over to pick up our car in Portland. What a well of wonderful CD history he is, and a darn pleasant gentleman to boot.

Thanks again, and y'all enjoy the foliage!

Jenn and Terry