My elderly Westerbeke W52 is on its last legs. Have any owners replaced theirs, and what have you installed? I’m considering Yanmar because it is so popular and therefore easy to service, and parts are less expensive than others.
Barry Connell
Nocturne (N36)
Your signature doesn’t include where you are, Barry, but if I were in your shoes, I’d definitely consider a Beta.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Yes Beta = Kubota block = cheap parts!
I just found this…
https://www.outboardglobalstore.com/new-yanmar-3ym30ae-291hp-inboard-diesel-engine—sale
YANMAR30 for $3300 or so
Bruce Pennycook
NS30U #389
Jacksonville, FL
I’m moored in the Merrimack River, Newburyport, MA. Though I’ve sailed in and out of the Merrimack for nearly 40 years, I’ve come to respect the river and its power. More people have died in the mouth of the Merrimack over the past half century than any other tidal river in North America.
We have regular outgoing tidal current in the 4-5 knot range, with a tricky entry at the tide change. I therefore need dead reliable propulsion.
Some folks I know have gone the Beta route and regretted it, as the quality of parts is inconsistent. My local yard is first rate, and they refuse to install Beta engines. Of course, they’re a Yanmar dealers, so….
Other thoughts?
Barry Connell
Nocturne (N36)
Newburyport MA
That’s a big difference in HP!! sounds like Barry needs more then 29 HP.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Barry: Being a retired mechanic, having delivered boats for a bunch of years and personally knowing every yard owner in my neck of the woods, they’ve never said anything negative about Beta. at least one of them is a Yanmar dealer. In the past, Yanmar has been bad at parts replacement. They may have gotten their act together, though.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Yanmar has made thousands Kubota has made 100s of thousands mostly tractors. Go Kubota!
Joe is correct. I need more than 30 hp. I’m thinking about the Yanmar 4JH57.
You might want to read a 2021 buyers guide to marine diesels from Yachting Monthly. Two things I thought of when reading your original post:
Dan Weinstein
Look Farther, 30C #205
East Greenwich RI
I have a Yanmar 4JH4E, 54hp, installed in late 2004. Low hours. Still runs smooth.
“Grande Dame”, NS36 #29
Given the number of satisfied customers who have gone to Beta’s the shops that refuse to install them have agendas and should be avoided. Bd mouthing the competition never wears well.
Definitely with currents of that order going up in HP might be a consideration. I would ask the question to Beta.
As far as parts, Beta engine parts can be had at any Kuboto Tractor dealer of which there are 1000’s.
Yanmar like Volvo are proprietary and although Yanmar makes John Deere engines, there is little chance you can cross reference parts and the minute you say Yanmar to the JD dealer he’ll refuse the sale.
So parts availability goes to Beta .
There are plenty of Yanmar engines in the Nonsuch fleet for a reason, they are good engines. If you have one staying with them makes sense. Like Joe mentioned the common rail aspect is of concern, it really does not add anything to the application and adds complexity. It does make sense in the agi tractor market and that is the reason.
Beta has built a business model around replacement engines and have a very slick service where you pre measure your current engine mounts and they deliver a engine ready to match .Saves time, money and frustration. So unless you have a Yanmar in place this is something to consider. They have done a lot of Westerbeke swaps.
Long story short… if it was my decision I’d chose Beta.. Interestingly enough the local Beta dealer is the go to guy for Yanmar and Volvo repairs , not there local respective dealers.
I replaced my old Volvo with a Beta 25. I had sold and services many Kubota diesels in hard working construction equipment so I knew they were tough, reliable and well supported. I liked the thought Beta had put into the marination of the engine with everything easy to get at.
When the time came to make the switch the mechanic wasn’t available so (at 78) I did it myself with a little help from my daughter. As Thor mentioned, the engine fitted the old engine bed and Beta’s directions were easy to follow and the dealer was helpful (you would think they were expecting me to put it in). Installing it myself probably cut the cost in half.
108 hours on I am a very happy customer.
Mike Jennings.
NSC30 5.
Chancy.
Port Moody BC.
The hp requirements are hard to pin down. I have read two hp per ton and 4 hp per ton. Some say long tons (2200) and some say tons (2000 lbs). An article in Practical Boat Owner from several years ago said 2 hp per ton used to be the standard but 4 is the new standard. The 36 is listed at 17,000 lbs but I suspect in cruising mode the 36 would come in at over 20,000 lbs or 10 tons. This suggests 40 hp is a reasonable number. The W52 was rated at 45 hp continuous running at 3000 rpm, 52 for one hour at 3000.
In terms of which engine you will want to consider the layout and how easy daily engine checks and servicing will be. Westerbeke is not making any engines in this powering range that can be shipped in the U.S. Volvo parts prices are extremely high so you probably want to stay away from them. That pretty much leaves Yanmar or a marinized version of a Kubota engine, Beta ,Nanni or Sole. Beta would be the best because of the Kabota blocks because they have the biggest presence in North America. Parts availability for the Yanmars on the West Coast has been an issue for a few years. I believe it is better on the east coast.
From what I have seen the 36 came with a V drive transmission. Is a. Drive available for the Yanmar you are considering? Exhaust mixing elbows for Yanmars have a short life expectancy and OEM prices are predatory. Custom made stainless steel elbows are less.
Mark Powers
I know that Phil LeVine was very unhappy with the Westerbeke factory’s handling when he repowered his 36 with a new one from them. He was promised drop-in compatibility and found nowhere near that.
I don’t know if he’ll want to post more on that or not, but I feel safe saying it’s another data point for any replacement other than Westerbeke.
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch e26U #233
Another point that may be of interest in the Yanmar vs Beta discussion is that when I was looking for new engines for our small ferry fleet years ago Yanmar (and Volvo) were unwilling to warrantee their engines for the service hours we would be giving them. Beta and Vetus (Mitsubishi) would. To me that says something about the suppliers confidence in their product.
Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay, B.C.