Volvo engine upgrade

[Jimmy Deeps]

I’m considering re engining my Bavaria Cruiser 2008 model. It currently has a Volvo Penta D240 saildrive which has been great but has loads of hours on now as it’s a school boat. I have an option on a new Volvo Penta D250 and saildrive which is 10 horsepower more and wondered if anyone has done this. From looking around it seems that there were some 38 cruisers of that era fitted with the bigger engine , I think mainly in the US. I’m assuming it would just be a swop out without too much trouble.
Grateful for any advice / tips. Please no Volvo Penta warnings as I’ve had quite a few through the school over the years and have found them to be solid work horses if maintained properly.

[DougR]

Some things to watch for.....
- D2-50 is about 40 mm longer
- D2-50 is about 76 mm taller
- D2-50 uses 57 mm exhaust hose and D-40 uses 45mm hose

My recollection tells me that the “factory” engine/saildrive bed supplied by VP was drilled and tapped for both the D2-40 and D-55 front engine mount bolts, but it’s unlikely that Bavaria used the factory bed. Most production boat builders, at least in the US, built their own saildrive beds or incorporated the bed into the liner. Check to see that there is a place on your engine bed for the new front engine mounts to set.

[Jimmy Deeps]

Thanks Doug for the useful info. I'm onboard this weekend and will check out the dimensions you suggested. I think there's plenty of space (from memory for the extra engine size, but the engine bed may be an issue.