Ultra Starter

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1

Boat yard just informed me I need a new starter. I looked for a thread on this topic. Any recommended sources? Options? Pointer to previous threads?

My engine is the original Westerbeke.

Many thanks

James Blackwell
“Apollo” Nonsuch 30U #415 '87

Marina Bay, Quincy, MA

2

I replaced mine last year. I think the part was about a boat dollar.
I ordered mine from a Westerbeke dealer in Charleston SC

3

Sorry
My boat is a 30c
Located on Lake Murray SC

4

James, I bought a new one for much less than that on Ebay. I see there are a number for sale there now, though did not check the model numbers. My yard painted and installed it and it works fine.
Don Ringsmuth
Selkie 30U 425
Traverse City, MI

I replaced mine last year. I think the part was about a boat dollar.
I ordered mine from a Westerbeke dealer in Charleston SC

5

James: Find a local auto electric shop and have them repair/rebuild it. Westerbeke is the highest priced place in the US. A quick search came up with this for a new one - https://www.google.com/search?q=Starter+for+westerbeke+engines&rlz=1C1CHBD_enUS1136US1136&oq=Starter+for+westerbeke+engines&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCjEyOTk2ajBqMTWoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

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

6

Hi James,

hansenmarine.com

Is right in your neighborhood
They are everything Westerbeke
They are expensive
BUT
They are honest and extremely qualified
I’ve had a westerbeke since 1989 in my cal 34 and now in my U30.
They have rebuilt a lift pump and tranny for me.
They would have come to my boat in Noank CT
BUT
I was totally disgusted with my yard and just wanted it out of there.
So I pulled it and they picked it up.
They also had great tips
I sailed until Dec 1st when I was younger and they taught me how to start the Beast
I’ve never had problems since.
They have supplied any number of parts over the years.
Just last month I lost my heat exchanger and spoke with them.

  1. New Westerbeke ex $1,200
  2. New aftermarket ex $800
  3. Tubes and gaskets reasonable
  4. Advice and service “Priceless”
    I went to https://www.mrcool.us/ for the part $500
    BUT
    Hansen will be my first stop for advice and all those other parts that you can not get anywhere else
    Sometimes the search is just not worth it

Fran Cichowski
Southpaw U30 Noank CT

7

Check this one out to make sure it is compatible

I believe the W27 and 33 used a Mitsubishi block so the starter will not be a proprietary Westerbeke part. A careful check of the old starter may reveal a part number.

8

As Joe Mentioned get it rebuilt at an auto electric shop. for couple the cost of tax on so called "westerbeke " starters . If they can’t for some reason rebuilt it they can sell you a new one for 1/3 the cost of westerbeke.

Starters, alternators, lift pumps heat exchangers, anodes fan belts, oil filters and hoses are all aftermarket parts , never buy them from the pirates at Westerbeke. Engine parts are either Mitsubishi or Perkins…

I needed new washers for the valve cover… Westerbeker $125 each. Mitsubishi. 12 cents…

9

In gasoline powered boats you had better have a marine grade starter (and alternator, etc.) or you lose your insurance. And maybe your life. Gas fumes are highly explosive and even with marinized parts you still need to run your blower and sniff the output for fumes if you want to keep breathing in and out for a natural human lifespan.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lhtb1yHXNpA (Don’t know if this was gas or diesel, but this is what can happen.)

Diesel fuel is less volatile than gas. It seems like a good bilge blower should be adequate to ventilate it, but I could be wrong about that. Most of my experience of marine diesels is with engines about the size of my house, and those are a wee bit different than our little bitty boat engines. Still, you should at least check with your insurance company before you put a non-marinized starter into your boat.

I’m with Joe on at least asking around about getting it rebuilt. You should be able to save enough money so that you can choose the best, not the cheapest, rebuild shop in your area and still save a ton of cash.

10

James,

I purchased a new starter from Stern Drive last year. Hansen Marine recommended going to Stern Drive because they did not have one in stock.

See
https://www.sterndrive.cc/ABUS.html

Let me know if you need any more information. The people at. Stern Drive were very helpful when I made my order.

Regards,

Mike