Ultra 30 Starter Motor Access

Newsgroups Archive Prior to 2025
1

Hello all,
I believe the starter motor on my Westerbeke 27 has failed.
My question is…how to get in there to work on it? Is it just me or is this incredibly difficult to access?
Would greatly appreciate any tips.

Neil
SV Wishbone
Halifax Nova Scotia

2

Neil -

Are you familiar with Boat Yoga?

Once you clear out the area below the cockpit I’ve found there’s lots of room. Remove the panels that create storage areas, if you have them, and you can almost do a Down Dog to get to the starter.

Also, check the starter solenoid first before assuming the starter motor is bad. A few taps on the solenoid with a screwdriver handle can often get it to start, and then you’ll know. It’s a lot cheaper to replace that than the whole starter.

Bob Gehrman, Boat Yoga instructor
NS30 #396 “Quickbeam”
Baltimore, Maryland

3

There are different layouts in the 30 Ultra but if you have the locker on the starboard side of the engine room like I do you can get reasonable access by making a big removable panel on the side of that locker. Mine had a small “hand hole” barely sufficient for checking the oil. I enlarged it and now have reasonably good access to that side of the engine. Mine is a W33 but they are virtually the same.
Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay, B.C.

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4

Stone: Why do you assume that your starter has failed??

Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA

5

Everyone,

Unfortunately, my Nonsuch 30U does not have a starboard locker as shown in your photo. Starboard of the starter is the fuel tank.

I need to take out my starter to replace the starter solenoid. Does anyone else have another recommendations on how to access the starter in order to remove it from the engine? The top bolt of the starter seems like it will be easy to access. However the bottom bolt looks like it is going to be very difficult to access and remove, especially if it is “frozen” in place.

Thanks,

Mike Stangl

Mariposa / Nonsuch 30U / Hull #272
Dutch Harbor, RI

6

The locker in my pictures is above my fuel tank which is apparently in the same place as yours. What do you have in that place and can it be removed? I guess I’m lucky.

7

I believe Mike’s is like mine in that our power panels are in that area, not a locker.

Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA

8

What occupies the couple of feet behind the panel above the fuel tank Joe? Can it be removed or altered for access?

9

No, Paul. There is a cover over the wiring for the electric panel. I think the best idea is to remove the coolant hoses on top of the starter to give access and room to work. See photo.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA


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10

Everyone,

Thanks for your suggestions. My Nonsuch U30 has the DC electrical distribution panel to the starboard of the cabin entrance as Joe mentioned in his recent comments. I am going to try to remove the solenoid/starter later this week. I will let you know how it goes. I have purchased some special tools to help out, ie. a racket wrench with a swivel head, some “flex” sockets and a breaker bar. Removing some of the coolant hoses will definitely improve access.

Regards,

Mike

Mariposa
Nonsuch 30U
Hull #272
Dutch Harbor, RI