Vetus Diesel??

[jemsea]

Hello,

We are looking at a boat that has recently been re powered with a Vetus M4.17 motor. Its a 42 hp on about a 21,000 lb boat.

I am unfamiliar with Vetus. I googled the name and found that they are a Misubishi engine marinized by Vetus. It also looks like West Marine is a source for them.

Does anyone have experience with these diesels?

Any reservations out there?

Parts going to be a problem?

Any answers to questions I didn't think to ask?

Thanks for the info,

John

[Talbot]

Vetus are a very well known company on this side of the pond, I would be surprised if you have any problems sourcing parts from them.

[GordMay]

Vetus are highly respected marine manufacturers (in Europe), but may be a bit of an ‘odd-ball’ in North America.
Vetus-USA: http://www.vetus.com/index-usa.htm
Engines: http://www.vetus.com/frame-cat.htm
M4.15/.M4.17 Engine Manual: http://www.vetus.nl/pdf/STM0119_0500.pdf
Parts Catalogue: http://www.vetus.nl/pdf/STM0091_0501.pdf

[Alan Wheeler]

Not saying this is good or bad, but Vetus don't make their own engines. They Marinise an existing manufacturers engine. Now I think the smaller engines were Mitsubishi's. You need to be confident with the original make. Personally I don't like small Mitsi or Mazda engines, but that is from experiance in passenger vehicles. Commercial "Truck" motors are a different story and it could be that the Vetus range are a very different class. As others have stated, Vetus has a good reputation and one to uphold. I can't see them sticking to something that proves unreliable.
(then again, I have had no end of trouble with my Vetus plastic exhaust components on my boat)

[jemsea]

Thanks for the info and links.

Pretty sure that one piece of the boat would be OK as it only has 173 hrs on it.

The main problem I face at this stage is my wife's opposition to the dark, dated looking interior.

Any wisdom on how to update and lighten below decks?

John

[Talbot]

best way to get light below decks is to buy a catamaran

[Alan Wheeler]

Talbot--Huh? How does that work?

Jensea, that is a difficult remedy. Obviuose that the dated interior will need changing at worst case, a paint job and best case, or you stick with the traditional or only other choice is drug the wife till you get out of site of land. Then hope she gets used to it.
To let light in, fit hatches and prism glass Sun lights. Make sure you have good clear port hatches. Visibility outside can be a real plus. Otherwise the cabin will feel small and prison like.

[jemsea]

Thanks for a good chuckle Talbot!!

Really it comes down to how much of a project can you live with.

We can afford only so much which means there is going to be compromise somewhere.

This boat is an 1985. We have not looked at it yet but have talked to the owners, broker, and studied the ad on Yachtworld. Same owners for 16 years and they have lived aboard for the last 6.

They all say the boat is in perfect condition, of course.

When trying to determine value is it an add or a minus if the boat has been a live aboard?

Any idea how much new standing rigging costs for a deck stepped 37 ft, 2 spreader cutter rig?

Thanks,

John