Need to Repower on Florida East coast.

[The Garbone]

This is a 2 part question that I hope stirs up some opinions.

I am currently thinking of purchasing a boat that needs to be repowered.
It is a C30 and is missing the old motor so no core is available. I am trying to make up my mind between a Universal M25-xpb or a Beta BD722. Any opinions?

I also would appreciate any recommendations on were to get this done.

I have also considered going with Electric Propulsion but am leaning away from that due to what I perceive as range issues. The only way I think I could get the same range would be installing a diesel or gasoline genset. Plans are for about 150w of solar but with a watermaker, refrigeration (small), fans, vhf, chart plotter ext that goes away quick.

So any thought on these issues would help greatly.

[scoobert]

i do not know what a C30 is.... what is your budget?

[Snore]

Originally Posted by The Garbone

This is a 2 part question that I hope stirs up some opinions. I am currently thinking of purchasing a boat that needs to be repowered. It is a C30 and is missing the old motor so no core is available. I am trying to make up my mind between a Universal M25-xpb or a Beta BD722. Any opinions? I also would appreciate any recommendations on were to get this done. I have also considered going with Electric Propulsion but am leaning away from that due to what I perceive as range issues. The only way I think I could get the same range would be installing a diesel or gasoline genset. Plans are for about 150w of solar but with a watermaker, refrigeration (small), fans, vhf, chart plotter ext that goes away quick. So any thought on these issues would help greatly.

While my Tartan has a Universal and I love it, I would suggest the Beta. The sole reason for the suggestion is that Universals are no longer made. A well loved diesel will last a long time. During the life cycle of your new engine parts for the universal may become harder to find. This assumes they have the same HP....


Of course price does weigh in the decision!! If the Universal is discounted enough...

[The Garbone]

Sorry,

Catalina 30.

Budget, I would like to keep it under $5000 but that is more of a dream since I have no core to rebuild. I will end up paying what I have to and get it done right, may end up with a new motor.

Cost and my skill set point me toward Electric but I just don't see that working. I can see 5 days of motoring up the ICW and do not want to pay for a slip or shore power. I don't think electric would work out for that unless I add a diesel genset (using stock fuel tank) and then the cost and complexity points me back to a conventional repower.

Ehh

[skipmac]

Have yet to hear anyone that was not happy with their Beta. Friend repowered his WS32 with a Beta and loves it (and I am jealous of it).

PS
C30 I'm guessing a Catalina 30

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by The Garbone

Cost and my skill set point me toward Electric but I just don't see that working. I can see 5 days of motoring up the ICW and do not want to pay for a slip or shore power. I don't think electric would work out for that unless I add a diesel genset (using stock fuel tank) and then the cost and complexity points me back to a conventional repower.

Ehh

My conclusion so far as well. Would love to go electric but if you plan to motor any distance at all then you're back to installing a diesel engine, just connected to a generator instead of directly to the prop shaft.

[scoobert]

you will not do a good electric repower for $5000.
look for a nice westerbeke 20B

or for more power...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Westerbeke-W...d9b3d0&vxp=mtr

$3700 with trans.

[jeremiason]

Since you are starting from scratch see if you can find a used YANMAR in your price range and change the engine rails to fit it, if needed.

In my opinion, the Yanmar is a far better engine and more reliable than the Universal or Westerbeke.

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by jeremiason

In my opinion, the Yanmar is a far better engine and more reliable than the Universal or Westerbeke.

They all have issues.

[jeremiason]

Originally Posted by scoobert

They all have issues.

Yes they do...

But my experience indicates that the Yanmars have less problems and more parts availability than Universal or Westerbeke.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by jeremiason

Yes they do...

But my experience indicates that the Yanmars have less problems and more parts availability than Universal or Westerbeke.

My experience as well. Also, at least with older Westerbekes, parts are VERY expensive.

[Cheechako]

The universal was likely in the Cat 30. If there's one available it should be a direct fit. They were great engines. Kubota werent they? If so, the Beta may be a near direct fit also. or was that cat 30 a gas engine?
I maintained a small feet of Cat 30's for a short time... in charter.... those engines were bullet proof. Located under the settee right?

[hellosailor]

Gary, even a used engine--with any kind of guarantee and labor to install it--may cost you more than a whole other C30 complete with a working healthy engine, sails, and anything else it needs.

You might want to really explore those options before considering dropping a whole "new" even used diesel into a boat. A fast and careless look at Yachtworld shows several mid-80's ones at $14-15K supposedly in working order.

[pbiJim]

If you are able to separate the wheat from the chaff, keep an eye on Craig's List. I saw an Atomic 4 go for about $500 there a few months ago. Supposedly, the motor was running & ready to use.

[pbiJim]

Originally Posted by The Garbone

Cost and my skill set point me toward Electric but I just don't see that working.

Why would that not work? If you have the skill set, perhaps you could locate an old golf cart that could be purchased on the cheap & robbed of it's drive line.