Best engine under $10k

[ramblinrod]

Originally Posted by JeffH

I would really like to see a price comparison with actual #s. Yanmar, Beta, Isuzu & the Chinese engine.

Don't know about an Isuzu, but in general, a Beta should sell for less than a Yanmar, not because it is worthless, but because it is worth less.

HP and torque ratings are not the only things that should be compared when selecting an engine.

Quality of design and construction are equally or more important, but much harder to quantify.

In my opinion, Yanmar is a considerably higher quality brand.

If a Yanmar can be purchased for only 20% more than a typical comparator, the Yanmar is likely a better value.

[svthreecheers]

Originally Posted by cowwee

Hi guys,
We are looking at getting a new engine for our 30foot Halvorsen wooden cruiser, and we are after thoughts on the best one.
We currently have an old Yanmar, but it is getting a bit past it.
I'd like something around 40 to 50hp, has to be quiet and I'd like it to be under $10k Australian.
Any suggestions welcome.
Thanks

Try an Outboard Motor,you won"t find a new Diesel with that budget
for your boat.

[cowwee]

Originally Posted by ramblinrod

Don't know about an Isuzu, but in general, a Beta should sell for less than a Yanmar, not because it is worthless, but because it is worth less.

HP and torque ratings are not the only things that should be compared when selecting an engine.

Quality of design and construction are equally or more important, but much harder to quantify.

In my opinion, Yanmar is a considerably higher quality brand.

If a Yanmar can be purchased for only 20% more than a typical comparator, the Yanmar is likely a better value.

Comparable hp yanmar is $16k, beta with special is $11k....big difference!

[cowwee]

Originally Posted by ramblinrod

Yanmar engines and OEM parts are competitively priced compared to other marine diesels and OEM parts.

Yanmar quality is at the higher end of the scale, and you do get what you pay for.

Some may look at a Yanmar product and another brand, not see any significant difference, and tend to shop based on $/HP alone.

When I look at them (extensive electronic and electro-mechanical design, development, production, and service experience), they are worlds apart in pretty much every aspect of design, quality, durability, and reliability; both the engine and the company.

Beta heat exchanger (whole unit) is $1200....yanmar more than $3000!
The sales rep says he hasn't replaced a heat exchanger in 17 years of selling beta!
Parts are ridiculously expensive for yanmar...that's why we are looking at replacing our old unit.
Seems like a no brainer to me!

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by cowwee

Thanks for the comments.
I have seen pricing of yanmar, and they seem a bit too expensive for us.
We have a quote for a beta 35, and they have a special this month with 2k off. Still it is more than 2k over budget.
Waiting on a nanni quote to see what they can do.
I think we will have to up our budget a bit, but it looks like its between the beta and nanni st this stage.

The current Beta engines use a Kubota block, pistons, head etc and AFAIK, Nanni does the same.

IMO, Beta has responded better to the market demands in so far as providing a already fitted oil extraction pump, better raw water cooling pump access, various sized alternators, multiple options for engine mount location etc.

[cowwee]

Originally Posted by Wotname

The current Beta engines use a Kubota block, pistons, head etc and AFAIK, Nanni does the same.

IMO, Beta has responded better to the market demands in so far as providing a already fitted oil extraction pump, better raw water cooling pump access, various sized alternators, multiple options for engine mount location etc.

Yeah....my thoughts too. We are favouring the beta st the moment

[cowwee]

Trying to get a quote from TD power also from China.

[malbert73]

If it was me, I’m not sure I’d put an unknown quantity from China in my boat especially if it were a single engine motorboat until I had heard more about long term experiences. What it looks like on the outside and sounds like on the internet is nothing if tolerances, bearings, other internal specs arent as tight...

[malbert73]

Originally Posted by ramblinrod

Don't know about an Isuzu, but in general, a Beta should sell for less than a Yanmar, not because it is worthless, but because it is worth less.



HP and torque ratings are not the only things that should be compared when selecting an engine.



Quality of design and construction are equally or more important, but much harder to quantify.



In my opinion, Yanmar is a considerably higher quality brand.



If a Yanmar can be purchased for only 20% more than a typical comparator, the Yanmar is likely a better value.

Interesting thoughts. Why do you think they are a higher quality brand, other than that you are a dealer?

I’ve had 3 boats with Yanmars. Theyve been really reliable. My main complaint is that the smaller ones and my old 4JHE are high revving. I repowered with a Beta 50 this winter. Chose over 4JH57 even though price was <1000 apart mainly due to my hesitancy to go common rail and rely on technicians for troubleshooting. There are plenty of anecdotes out there about the CR just shutting down due to false positive sensor readings, etc. If you look at HP curve of Beta 50 and 4JH57 most of that 7 hp is from the redline of 3000 for yanmar compared to 2800 for beta. Otherwise torque and hp are very close along “usable” range of RPMs which at 1800-2000 for cruise is nice and calm/quiet on the beta.

Kubota is worldwide largest producer of diesels <100hp, mostly for industrial applications, so likely they know a thing or 2....

[GILow]

Originally Posted by roland stockham

.... All the pipework is 316 S/S. The seawater pump and cooling components are significantly bigger clearly reflecting the higher duty cycle....

....and I will report back when it is running.

Thanks mate. I did have a look at some videos on the world-wide-wait of that engine type and the pipework looked a LOT better than described by the poor bugger who had the seized motor.

Time will tell I suppose. The torque curves looked good to me, nice and flat and good for low revs in the size I would need (80+ HP). I will keep an eye open for ongoing reports.

But on balance, when I get around to it, I think I will replace my dear faithful old Nissan ED33 with a Toyota 2B donk. The parts for the Nissan are made of unobtainium these days, the Toyota's have a cult following in Oz and parts can be found at the local supermarket between the dishwashing liquid and the carrots.

Isuzu at my size, unfortunately, are hard to find. And they tend to be turbo which I do NOT want.

[cowwee]

Originally Posted by malbert73

Interesting thoughts. Why do you think they are a higher quality brand, other than that you are a dealer?

I’ve had 3 boats with Yanmars. Theyve been really reliable. My main complaint is that the smaller ones and my old 4JHE are high revving. I repowered with a Beta 50 this winter. Chose over 4JH57 even though price was <1000 apart mainly due to my hesitancy to go common rail and rely on technicians for troubleshooting. There are plenty of anecdotes out there about the CR just shutting down due to false positive sensor readings, etc. If you look at HP curve of Beta 50 and 4JH57 most of that 7 hp is from the redline of 3000 for yanmar compared to 2800 for beta. Otherwise torque and hp are very close along “usable” range of RPMs which at 1800-2000 for cruise is nice and calm/quiet on the beta.

Kubota is worldwide largest producer of diesels <100hp, mostly for industrial applications, so likely they know a thing or 2....

How do you find the noise levels on the Beta? That is my main concern....our motor is really close to the helm, and i am hard of hearing. So a noisy engine would be a problem!
Cheers

[cowwee]

I did get a quote today for a TD power marine TDME-485....$3422USD + $15 postage! Wow!

[malbert73]

Originally Posted by cowwee

How do you find the noise levels on the Beta? That is my main concern....our motor is really close to the helm, and i am hard of hearing. So a noisy engine would be a problem!

Cheers

Definitely quieter than the yammer 4jhe it replaced. Probably one of the quieter non common rail diesels out there. Indirect injection apparently helps.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by cowwee

I did get a quote today for a TD power marine TDME-485....$3422USD + $15 postage! Wow!

Originally Posted by GILow

Not having a go at your engine choice, and I for one will be curious to hear how it turns out, but I do remember reading a very sad thread on CF about one of these Chinese engines that had an avoidable disaster when the crankcase breather hose collapsed on the first long run. ........

This is the thread.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ne-109111.html
IMO, worth reading, especially the first page and theist few pages.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Wotname

This is the thread.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ne-109111.html

IMO, worth reading, especially the first page and theist few pages.

I suppose everyone will interpret what is written there in their own way, but I come back to wanting to trust my engine and that FEELS mutually exclusive with buying one of the Chinese diesels to ME.

For the OP, who is on one of the nicest and relatively safe waterways I know of, the Chinese engine feels ok to me.

But I plan to find myself a couple of hundred miles off shore soon and I really want to trust the engine in my boat for that sort of travel.