33-2 Repower

[IG33]

Well, the time has come to repower Island Girl, my 1987 33-2. I think deciding whether to get married was an easier decision than deciding which motor to replace the old and tired (and far too weak for cruising the Caribbean) 2GM20F with.

I have narrowed it down to two choices:

The Beta 25 or the Yanmar 3YM30.

Here are some of the specs:

Length Height Width Weight incl gear
2GM20 650mm 545mm 482mm 251lbs
Beta 25 678mm 522mm 427mm 260lbs
3YM30 716mm 545mm 477mm 293lbs

I want maximum power but I concerned about weight. My carpinter will make any adjustments necessary to my engine compartment. Any insight into this? Any experience repowering a 33-2? Any info would be helpful. BTW, all running gear will also be replaced including a larger Campbell Sailor Prop.

Mark
s/v Island Girl

 

[Ariel]

Mark,
If I remember correctly, the 33-2 has a 3/4 inch bronze shaft, about 48 inches long. If this is true then the shaft diameter is about at the outer limit and an increase in HP beyond about 25 HP can cause shaft whip. I asume you have investigated the new shaft length in respect to the replacement engines increased HP.

An increase in shaft diameter will entail the costly replacement of the shaft strut, shaft log and, as you know, the prop.

I'm interested in why you are replacine the engine. Is it ready for a rebuild so soon? our 1987 Yanmar 3HM35F has well over 6000 hours and is still going strong.

In my opinion both engines are equal. I would give an advantage to Yanmar just on the availability of parts in the off track places of the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Dave
s/v ARIEL

 

[IG33]

Hello Dave,

Actually, the shaft on the P33-2 is a 1 and 1/8 inch ss shaft. Not sure on exact length but I'll find out when we haul out in June..

The 2GM20F is rated at 16 HP at 3600RPM. I know that I am not even getting that much but even if I were, it is not enough power for serious Caribbean cruising. I have been in embarrassing situations in bottleneck areas of the Intracoastal where I was not able to navigate safely against the incoming tide with the boat practically empty of gear. I would hate to imagine a serious emergency situation requiring real power from the auxiliary with a boat loaded with crusing gear...The fact of the matter is that a 16 HP motor is pathetically underpowered for a 33' sailboat (don't get me wrong I love my boat--it's just that Pearson skimped on power). In today's boat models, you would never find a 33' sailboat with just a 16HP motor unless it were a racer.

As far as availability of parts: the Beta (marinized Kubota) uses standard belts and filters that can be acquired in any auto parts store around the world. Of course the benefit of the Yanmar is that it increases resale value more than the Beta and of course it packs more power.

My only issue is weight. the 2GM20 weighs 251. The Beta 25 weighs 260 and the 3YM30 weighs 293. If my boat won't be affected by the extra weight then the Yanmar is my first choice.

Any more thoughts?

Mark

 

[Ariel]

Mark,

With a 1 1/8 inch shaft, it is good to go. My charts say it is good to about 50 HP and to about 55 inches long.

I would go with the Yanmar. I don't think you will even notice the extra 40 lbs.

Fair winds,

Dave
s/v ARIEL