I’m considering replacing my Westerbeke 27 with a new engine before the sailing season next year. I have heard that Yanmar is a good replacement. What else works well? Looking for some feedback from anyone who has replaced their engine, good, bad or ugly. Can I rebuild my V drive or does it need to be replaced at the same time?
A yanmar would be your best choice. I am replacing my westerbeke w10 this fall with a 2gm yanmar n22 nonsuch.
The vdrive will have to be changed out if go with a yanmar.
Previous owner installed a Beta Marine in my (now sold) 30C. Worked fine for me and no awkward v drive.
Bob D
I installed a Beta 35 in my 33 last spring. It works well. It was a self install. I also ordered a ZF/Hurth V-drive transmission identical to the original. The transmission arrived weeks after the engines’s arrival date of May 17.
I needed to get the boat in the water to participate in a late spring weekend series. As a result, I used the old transmission with the new engine until the new transmission arrived. I subsequently hauled the boat for a day to replace the transmission.
I’m sure a Yanmar would also work well. If you are hiring the installation, select the right installer and let him advise you as to what engine he recommends.
The Beta 35 is rated at 2800 RPM. Many engines are rated at 3600 RPM. I thought the slower rated engine might be more durable. The prop was modified to accommodate the slower shaft RPM.
Beta also offers dual alternators, a feature I selected.
Ward Woodruff
N33 #8 Margery
Niantic Bay, CT
I replaced the old Volvo engine and sail drive in my 30C last September with a BETA 25.
I chose the Beta based on the Kubota engine (they are tough, reliable and economical), the layout for service (I no longer have to dive into the engine room to do anything) and the price. I chose a larger alternator than the standard and the simplest control panel (I already had a tach and temp gauge on the bulkhead).
I had expected to have the assistance of a professional for the installation. When the time came he wasn’t available so, at 77 with a gamy hip, I did it myself. It took me 2 weeks with a little help from friends when two sets of hands were needed. Glad the pro wasn’t available, he would have been a liability.
Before buying the engine I read the installation manual and did the installation in my mind. Everything turned out as expected.
Ben Gartside, my Beta dealer was very patient when it came to any questions I had (which were mostly me worrying about things that never happened).
I am very happy. I guess a lot depends on how you use the boat but I would have to seriously think about what I would gain by adding the extra weight that goes with a bigger engine especially if you use a fixer prop.
It fits. My nature is to look for problems, there weren’t any I didn’t create.
Whatever you choose I hope it works as well for you as this does for me.
Mike Jennings.
NS005 Chancy.
Port Moody, BC.
If I had to replace mine, I’d go with a Beta.
Joe Valinoti (retired mechanic)
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
FWIW, I used to have a small fleet of boats that ran Diesel engines 12 hours a day, seven days a week. When I researched engines only Vetus (Mitsubishi) and Beta (Kubota) would guarantee their engines for our service. Volvo, Yanmar, and Isuzu would not.
Personally I like Mitsubishi but Kubota is a great engine as well. The Vetus marine conversion was more compact but the Beta was a little easier to work on.
Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay, B.C.
We used a Beta 20 supplied by Gartside when we repowered our 26C. My brother Mark did as well.
Pleased with the installation and the engine. service is dead easy and Beta makes no secret about replacement parts from them or Kubota or even Lordco. they included a cross reference for most regular service items for all 3.
I would recommend the Beta. Yanmar and Volvo make good engines but are almost predatory when it comes to parts, similar to westerbeke.
Just my opinion and I am no expert.
Rob Powers
Respite 26C #50
Sidney BC
Our 1987 NS 30U had the original Westerbeke replaced with a Nanni N4.38 (a 4 cylinder Kubota block rated at 37.5 hp) a few years before we bought in 2021. We easily cruise at hull speed under 2000 rpm. After a full season, I am really pleased with it and the ease of servicing. Like the Beta, it even has a built in oil pan pump for oil changes. I swapped out the original 2 blade fixed prop for a feathering Kiwi Prop 17" 3 blade and the boat is smooth and powerful. Both Beta and Nanni are European manufacturers that “marinize” the stock Kubota diesel blocks.
Having local install/support experience is important. Our engine was installed in the Boston area by Hansen Marine. It came with an upgraded 120 amp alternator. Our local marine yard in Toronto has recently installed 3 Nanni engines and the mechanics like them.
Doug Farrand
Corbeau
1987 NS30 Ultra
Toronto
I think Pipe Dream is on track for a new engine in the next year or two, so this is very helpful. What did it cost to replace your engines?
Ned Chester
Pipe Dream
NS 20 Classic, #230
Portland
Thousands upon thousands of (very heavy and long) narrowboaters in the UK overwhelmingly go with Beta engines for all of the suggested reasons. In truth, Nanni engines are the “go to” powerplant in France. I ran an old one-lunger little Yanmar in my Carter 30 (SVE 6 - 6 hp and torque like crazy) and it was terrific.
Betas, IMHO, have sewn up the “customer relations and satisfaction” award, though, it seems. And, to my thinking, THAT is priceless.
I’d go with a Beta, hands down.
Ernie A. in Toronto
Many owners have rebuilt Hurth transmissions so not an impossible task. As for engines IMHO Beta should be at the top of the list. Yanmar is popular but some models have a poorly designed exhaust system that is prone to fail so that is something I would check .
The main issue is what if anything needs to be done to the engine mounts to accommodate the new engine. Careful study of the spec of the old and new engines should indicated that is needed. As well exhaust and fuel supply locations for both need to be compared to scope out any location issues.
If you are getting a yard to do the work them more you know about what needs to happen , the fewer surprises.
Before taking the leap, I would get an oil test done. That will go a long way to telling you if the engine issues are due to the engine being worn out or if it is something mechanical
I have a 1983 Westerbeke, and touch wood it is great engine, starts like a Honda. But some aspects like impeller changes are a bear. But it’s a Mitsubishi block so the bone are good.
Beta’s come with a cone clutch and has a higher HP rating than the Hurth plate clutch. As well cone clutches are easier to service.
This spring I replaced a Westerbeke 13 with a Beta 20. The order process went well (Beta Canada) as did the professional installation. There was project creep. Larger through hull to match the engine, sea strainer (missing before) new shaft, ( the original was short) dripless seal, cutlass bearing, and finally a Variprop to match the engine. I am vey happy with the result. The total cost is a closely guarded secret.
Mike Darlington
Tiroc 26C
Whitby Ontario
I’m curious to know how much quieter the Beta 20 is compared to the 13?
Less vibration?
Tom
26C #28 North Star
Penetang