Need Advice

[Erna]

I purchased a 28 ft Tollycraft boat. It has two 185 hp Ford 302 inboard motors that need replacing. I would like to change the motor to either a deisel or to two outboard motors (put on a bracket) The boat is in Cape Coral near Ft Myers and I live in the Bahamas. I want to get it all fixed up before I ship it to Nassau. What do you think is the best way to go?

[Tim B]

If it had inboards, stay with inboards, it'll be the least amount of messing around (boat was designed for it too). The first job is to lift the old engines out, acertain if they really have gone, or whether they just need new parts (gaskets etc.).

Then go to all the company websites of the engine manufacturers that you found in that sailing magazine, and look for installation diagrams (I know Volvo Penta give them, so should the others) when you've found an engine of the same power and weight or size and weight (may not be the same), e-mail them for a pricelist.

I'll assume you buy new engines which don't have the same mounting points (would you expect them to?) in which case you'll have to do a bit of "engineering" work to get them to fit. Which I'm sure a friendly engine-dealer will be only too happy to do this for some cash (just pay, give them the hassle).

Alternatively, the cheaper option is to re-build the existing engines and replace any parts that have failed, renew the engine with a bit of engine-paint and put the old ones back in. It'll be easy to do, as long as the engine isn't in the boat.

Cheers,

Tim B.

[FAST FRED]

In the Ft Meyers area pick up a copy of any of the local boat papers.
You will find rebuilds and NEW engines that will just drop in for under $2,000 each.

Far better than any outboard.

The diesel swop is do able , but MANY MANY big bucks will be required.

Price Yanmars of 75% of the 302's rated HP for a comparison with similar performance.

FAST FRED

[KFB]

There may be some CG related stability and trim problems with opting for the outboards. I'm assuming it's an early model express/sportfish arrangement? If so, there is a substantal amount of joinery and accommodation for the length, all designed around the large slug of weight represented by the original engines. Changing to outboards would shift the boat's center of gravity aft, and increase the metacentric height. This could be compensated for by adding ballast forward and low, if you want to deal with all that (paying to haul weight that you really can't use). Going with diesel inboards is the logical (but more costly) choice. Additionally, gasoline and inboard-powered boats have an explosive history which has led to modern inboards being built almost exclusively with diesel plants.

[Tim B]

Petrol inboards should be fine, as long as the engine-room is well vented. I can only think that it would be any vapour igniting which would cause a problem, so as long as it was vented you should be ok. You could always put a small flammable gas detector in the engine room in any boat, in fact, this is a safety device that should (IMHO) be fitted as standard.

Tim B.

[blared]

Go with the Volvo Penta Diesel .. They have the small and powerful engines which you can trust. (I would'nt prefer outboards)

[Erna]

I hear you all.
I am going to go for inboard diesel. Resale is better and I think in the long run I will save money on fuel costs.
I have been looking at the LHA Yanmar shaftdrive ... say twin 160 HP, they seem to be expensive but have a good reputation.
I guess a Volvo Penta would be OK too.
I don't see many used Yanmars so maybe a used Volvo penta would be easier to find.
What kind of HP should I get if I get a Volvo penta diesel? twin 160 HP as well or more??? The twin Ford 302's in it now are 185 HP each.
Thanks

[Erna]

Going to go Diesel probably Volvo penta but how many HP's?

[Willallison]

Don't be fooled into thinking that you will necessarily save money by going for diesels. For most people the extra cost of optiing for diesels will never be recouped by fuel savings. Also, you will need to look at new transmissions, probably shafts and props as well. An engine upgrade can be a complicated business - if it were me, I'd take the boat to someone who specialises in this sort of thing and let them handle it. It may cost a little more in the first place, but you may well save a great deal more in the long run