A repower for Arianna?

[gates_cliff]

Andy, you comment about the yard down there in NC being able to do the job in 40 hours has me thinking.

And that is always dangerous for me.

Anyway, I started wondering about the idea of my taking my boat down there to have the work done. It's near the Beta distributor, the yard already has done a repower on a CD 27, and I've never done a trip like that.

Of course since it'd down ICW my current engine would have to be running good and be reliable, but if that's the case why would I need to repower? Man my head is beginning to ache at this point.

[Andy Denmark]

Cliff,

I'll bet that you could do your fuel tank replacement in less than half the man-hrs it took you that first time. The same theory holds for repowering --- find a yard that's done it before and you'll usually save big labor charges.

One of the service yards here takes digital pictures of the jobs they undertake and uses them as educational tools, basis for future quotes, explaining things to customers, etc. They'll even give you a CD with the pictures of the job you've paid them to do and the pix often explain the whys and wherefores of particularly tricky jobs to customers who often don't appreciate some of the charges and time allocations on their bills. A big advantage of this for the yard is that it keeps the learning curve way low when approaching a "first time" repower because they can bring up so many other related projects for time saving methods, estimates, examples, etc.

I did much the same thing when I ran my boatyard but the records were on paper and consisted largely of a history of work orders on individual boats. Back then -- 70's and 80's -- film photography was all there was but digital has changed all that.

Beta is forward looking enough to keep engineering drawings of particular mounting hardware specific to boats and engines. Rhiannon was a "guinea pig" in this effort for replacing a Westerbeke 13 with a Beta 14. Now, anyone wishing to do this same swap can have an option to select mounting brackets that make this switch a drop-in with everything except the exhaust and throttle/shift linkages lining up. Those two are relatively easy to adapt, though. The beauty of this program is that it makes the most difficult aspect of repowering easy.

Spending too much time on the computer this a.m. Another serious cold snap is on the way so I'm getting more firewood to the porch this morning.

FWIW ...............
________
Ford b3 platform history

[Andy Denmark]

This was my bread and butter route when I was doing deliveries. It's not too challenging. If you want details I'll be glad to furnish them. Once out of the Chesapeake and Norfolk areas the route is scenic with lots of colonial era history so it's not totally boring.

I've sent you contact info for the boatyard that did my repower by PM. They will be able to give you better estimates for a repower job than I as mine are purely guesses.

If you decide to go forward with this I'd be glad to have you tie up at my pier and save the expense of a marina stay.
________
How I Met Your Mother Advice

[Jerry Hammernik]

Is it just me or did 50 hrs. at $90/hr morph into 90 hours somewhere along the way in this thread?

Not repowering now, but always interested (and worried)

[gates_cliff]

Jerry, I think it was 50 hours.

Andy, I got your PM and do apperciate the info. As I said, I am kicking this idea around in my head and believe me there's plenty of room there.

Had an interesting conversation at my yard today. I took a couple of hours off from my job and drove over to check on my boat and make sure it was ok.

I was talking to the main shop guy about the engine and all this stuff and he said, why not just wait until spring and when it's back in the water I'll go over it and give you my opinion. He was steering me away from a repower or anything serious. His opinion was that Westerbekes were pretty good engines and most likely was ok. I asked him about oil analysis and all that and he said that it can be worthwhile if you think something is really wrong but in general it's not really that necessary. I'm paraphrasing so I might not be reflecting accurately. The thing that struck me is that he was trying to talk me out of work! I'm still scratching my head as this is kind of a new experience. Oh, when I brought my boat to this yard, I called Vosbury marine in Annapolis to ask about winterizing and they recommended this guy.

So maybe I'm trying to spend money I don't really need to right now. Hmmmm, much food for thought. Now that I have been considering this the engine will take offense and desert me when most needed. Karma!

[Sea Hunt]

Hello Ana and Mark:

Lemon Bay is a nice area of SW Florida. From Miami, it is only about a 3 hr drive.

If I can help with anything in terms of delivering engine parts, other items, land transportation, etc., please let me know. It would be my pleasure to help fellow Cape Dorians.

Just send me a PM with a contact phone number.

[Andy Denmark]

This is consistent with the approach Jim Davis recommended.

I'm simply suggesting that you can get numbers and process together in case the W-13 does need to be replaced. Remember the parts are pretty pricey if there's major work involved or they have to pull the engine. All that adds up to a major percentage of the cost of a new powerplant -- and you've still ended up with an old engine.

Keep me in the loop if you decide to go forward.

Andy
________
Ford cdw27 platform

[Bob Ohler]

Has anyone here tried a DIY repower with either Beat or Nanni engines? If so, how long did it take you? Is anyone able to confirm the comment made above that Nanni is out of business?

Thanks,

Bob Ohler

[M. R. Bober]

Has anyone here tried a DIY repower with either Beat or Nanni engines? If so, how long did it take you? Is anyone able to confirm the comment made above that Nanni is out of business?

Thanks,

Bob Ohler

Our beloved founder, Al Lawton, installed his Beta on SARAHGAY.

Mitchell Bober
Sunny Lancaster, (All power to the people) VA

[K_LeMans]

I'm surprised at the lack of discussion on the issue of maintenance access when discussing the various re-power (engine) options...?

In my 30C, I consider the front of the engine all but inaccessible for any kind of routine (read annual) maintenance.

For those of us living with v-drives, who has the most friendly rear-facing configuration? Oil pumps, filters, water pump, fuel filter, all the stuff you need to touch?

My MD-7A is still running strong (and cool) but we all know it's a matter of time...........

[Andy Denmark]

Somewhere in this thread I stated that my primary reason to change out from a perfectly okay Westerbeke 13 to a Beta 14 was access to the service points. With the Beta 14 I can now check everything at the front of the engine and not end up with bruises on my sternum (checking tranny fluid level) and contusions on my forearms (oil filter). At 72 these things are significant.

With the number of aging MD7/A Volvos out there I think some enterprising engine manufacturer could come up with an engine mounting that would (1) turn the engine around so it could live without a vee-drive (as some Dorians have done), or (2) come up with a drop-in engine that would have the service points toward the rear as you suggest.

I will say this, however. The Beta 13 in the CD-30/K that's around here is reasonably accessible for service because the engine is much smaller than the MD7?A it replaced. Getting over and around it is much easier than with the old engine. I think the hardest service issue with the Beta "turned around" is the water pump faceplate which can be greatly offset by use of a Speed Seal. The other stuff is also easier than with the MD7?A.

My opinion only -- FWIW
________
IOLITE VAPORIZER REVIEW

[seadog6532]

The oil leak on Arianna has been repaired so for the time being i'm back in love with my MD7A. We will be back out cruising again soon. The basic engine is in very good condition, most of our trouble has been the parts on the engine.

[Ron M.]

In answer to Bob's question re: DIY repower . I replaced the ysb12 with a volvo d1-20 a few years ago. Did 'the works' trans., shaft, shaft seal, prop, exhaust, controls, etc. As I recall it took about 3 days to get the engine and shaft aligned and the mounts locked down. Probably another day to modify and glass the stringers. An additional few days to install exhaust and controls. I did have a friend assist for approx. 1/3 the time. It took more time than I thought, but I work for free. I got everything the way I wanted it and cut no corners.
I did remove the port side galley cabinets for better access. I fooled with templates and mock ups initially but found the most effective way to make the necessary modifications was to get the new motor in the boat, put a hoist on it, and go from there. I have been very pleased with the engine and the installation.......it's a different boat.
________
Ford xy falcon gt specifications

[Olli Wendelin]

My YSB-12 is still going strong. But every time I work on it I vow to rip out the V-drive. Everything is conviniently located on the front on the engine - which is facing aft under the cockpit. When you repower do yourself a favor, remove the V-Drive.

[Oswego John]

Olli,

It's good to hear from you again.

Best regards,
O J