Big time decision.

[All U Get]

Hi all,

We reached that point where the decision of how many years of useful sailing versus not doing a repair met us head on. Our genset continued to give us problems running so we had it evaluated by someone we trust. In order to do any work on it we would have to pull it out of the boat so that always leads to that questions of ”Why put a 35 YO hunk of metal back inside”? and “Are we keeping the boat for another ten years”?

Of course there isn’t room enough to haul it out without cutting a hole somewhere (thank you Mr. Shaw) and is heavier than some small cars. So we’ve decided to have it replaced with a new, quieter, lighter genset. Too bad we live so far away because I think I could use the old engine for something. Maybe there might be some salvage value at a recycling center? My wife is already planning a party done virtually when it’s all done and I would have to find something to do with all the hours I’ve spent with the old unit.

 

[dlochner]

If the engine runs, someone on eBay might buy it.

A scrap metal dealer will buy it. Drain the fluids and remove the generator and starting motor. They may pay more for those components because of the copper.

 

[capta]

First, what genset is it? We removed ours a couple of years back and replaced the engine and had the generator end serviced. Under 7k. If you breakdown genset to block and generator it is much more manageable. Lotsa work, but no cutting up boat. We got 18,000+ hours on our Onan and it still ran fine. Problem was freeze plugs were going 1 by 1 and some were unreachable.. A new genset will have electronic control boards and those thins are fragile, expensive and at times hard to come by. If you are anything like us, you've got beaucoup bucks tied up in spares. Consider going with the devil you know, rather than....
Main engine removal is through the bulkhead behind the stairs.

 

[All U Get]

First, what genset is it? We removed ours a couple of years back and replaced the engine and had the generator end serviced. Under 7k. If you breakdown genset to block and generator it is much more manageable. Lotsa work, but no cutting up boat. We got 18,000+ hours on our Onan and it still ran fine. Problem was freeze plugs were going 1 by 1 and some were unreachable.. A new genset will have electronic control boards and those thins are fragile, expensive and at times hard to come by. If you are anything like us, you've got beaucoup bucks tied up in spares. Consider going with the devil you know, rather than....
Main engine removal is through the bulkhead behind the stairs.

Ours is quite different with the bulkhead loaded with bus bars, hydraulics, wiring, fuel lines, and water lines all installed with the least amount of excess. I’ve been chasing parts for eight years and untold hours laying over the valve cover trying to reach and repair parts, it’s time.

Just looked at some paperwork here at home, hull #26 and beyond had the option from either Onan 7.5 or Kohler 12.5, that was dated November of 1981. Our boat is #31 built in 1985.