Re-powering with Beta/Kubota or Yanmar?

[sailingfarmer]

I am leaning towards a Beta 50 hp new engine... any advice?

[barboak]

Repowered to a Beta 50 5 years ago and absolutely love it! The Beta people are the best to deal with and I still email them from the Caribbean with questions and always get a quick reply. Parts are easy as you can find Kubota equivalents or Beta ships immediately. We swapped out a Westerbeke 58 (Perkins 4-154) did the install ourselves on a Cal 44

[sailingfarmer]

Do remember what the price of the engine was?

[robert sailor]

If price is the most important thing to you then Yanmar will win as the Beta is more money.

[barboak]

I recall about $12-13 thou with trany, maybe a little bit more than a Yanmar. Call Stanley in North Carolina he is great!

[robert sailor]

More in the range of 15 and change

[sailingfarmer]

@$20,000... taking out old engine putting in new engine? Beta?

[maine50]

Things to consider--
1) Beta uses normal size exhaust system- if yours is in good condition you may be able to reuse it. Yanmars use a minimum of 3 to 4"
2) Beta can usually make custom engine mounts so you don't have to fabricate/
change your engine beds
3) Yanmar reportedly uses computer control module- servicable/replaced only
by Yanmar service person
4) Betas are based on Kubota engines- means parts are available worldwide and not restricted to only local distributor.
5) Beta has "Boat Show" pricing specials.

I did a 38HP self install- Beta (Stanley & co) was very helpful.--Tim

[sailnow2011]

I would do a kubota in a heartbeat. If you are very DIY you can get a kubota engine and not a beta.

[barboak]

[QUOTE=sailingfarmer;2089496]Do remember what the price of the engine was?[/QUOTE

We paid $12,268 with a TWC 260 transmission delivered to Florida with a 100 amp alternator. The list was almost $15,000 but a typical discount. Took a good look at Yanmar but after asking around, including on this forum, took the best advice on which diesel to get and have never regretted the Beta.
Once again installed it ourselves so saved a bundle!

[robert sailor]

[QUOTE=barboak;2089679]

Originally Posted by sailingfarmer

Do remember what the price of the engine was?[/QUOTE

We paid $12,268 with a TWC 260 transmission delivered to Florida with a 100 amp alternator. The list was almost $15,000 but a typical discount. Took a good look at Yanmar but after asking around, including on this forum, took the best advice on which diesel to get and have never regretted the Beta.
Once again installed it ourselves so saved a bundle!

What year did you buy the motor?

[barboak]

[QUOTE=robert sailor;2089685]

Originally Posted by barboak

What year did you buy the motor?

November,2010

[robert sailor]

[QUOTE=barboak;2089692]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

November,2010

Thanks, that list price has gone up substantially since 2010. Great engine though, have one myself.

[Kokanee]

Beta are great from what I hear. They were my 2nd choice.

I compared them all and went with a 42 hp Vetus last year. The price was better once everything was taken into account. (gearbox, high output alternator, wiring harness & gauge panel, etc)

I'm loving my Vetus. It is Mitsubishi based. Higher torque at lower rpm than most others. Electric fuel pump, and self bleeding fuel lies, quiet, and smaller footprint compared to Beta.

[nhschneider]

We replaced our Volvo MD40A with a Beta 90 seven years ago. Now the engine has about 2,500 hours on it, has never failed to start and run well; burns no oil between changes; doesn't leak a drop of anything; consumes less than a gallon of fuel per hour (pushing a 40,000-pound boat at 6 knots); has two alternators (one 100-amp and the other 175-amp); is quiet and smooth - it gets louder at Wide Open Throttle but runs just as smooth.

Having worked in the construction and agricultural equipment industry, I was well aware of Kubota's legendary reputation. Whereas Yanmar also manufactures equipment for the same industries, the engines they market for sailboats are designed for extremely light duty, which a sailboat application is. Personally, I prefer an engine that is designed for a heavy duty application, giving me a wide margin should I ever need it.

Fair winds and calm seas.