Brand-new Beta Transmission FAILS

druid

druid

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Apr 22, 2009
837
Ontario 32 Pender Harbour
What is WITH this boat??? I just put in a brand-new Beta 25 this spring - it's got 25 hrs on it. And just when I was going to pull into a slip in Paine's Marina in Silva Bay (after a GREAT sail across the Strait!), the transmission failed. Utterly. The linkage is all working, turning the shift shaft in the transmission, but the transmission isn't going into gear at all, forward or reverse.
I'll contact Beta Marine Canada tomorrow and see how much of the repair-replacement is covered by the Warranty (as in, moorage costs, costs to pull the engine and put it back...)

If not (and I just read the Warranty - looks like it does NOT), maybe my insurance will cover it...

Really pissed. Now even if they replace the transmission I'll never be confident in it.

druid
 
druid

druid

.
Apr 22, 2009
837
Ontario 32 Pender Harbour
Yes, there's fluid in it (and a failure from lack of oil would not be as sudden or complete). Mark, I watched the prop shaft at the back of the engine when it was put in gear - not turning.
 
Captn Scotty

Captn Scotty

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Mar 15, 2013
197
Islander 32 mkll Comox Hrb.
Holy Crumbs Druid, that really sucks!! I've been waiting patiently for a report on how the new engine is working. Never heard of Beta having any troubles? Hope everything works out well and you get the confidence back.
 
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Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,174
CC 30 South Florida
Contact the dealer/manufacturer and explain the problem and have them give you the alternatives. It sounds like a gear selector mechanism problem. It may be that the gear selector housing (body) can be removed without having to remove the transmission if there is room to work on.
 
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woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
sorry to hear that ...but give the beta people a chance to make it right ...everything i have read about them seems to say they go the extra mile....
 
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Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,174
CC 30 South Florida
Found this manual, it offers some information. Check 9.6.1 as it looks like the selector mechanism can be pulled out. The easiest thing to check and you may have already done this, is to observe that the gear selector lever on the outside is tight and actually turning the selector. As the warranty is involved let the Dealer call the shots.
 

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Justin_NSA

Justin_NSA

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Jul 7, 2004
8,492
Hunter 30T Cheney, KS
I agree. Give the company a chance to make it right. Personally, I'm concerned about names with "Beta" in them. In my world it means test, trial, model, prototype etc. Not labels that instill confidence or reliability. Poor marketing choice for a name.
 
Chevy1217

Chevy1217

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Oct 1, 2015
63
Clark San Juan 30 Blaine WA
So Sorry to hear maybe the cable just loosened up and it will be a very easy fix. I sur hope so for you r sake pulling the engine is a bummer let hope it will be an easy fix and you will be back in the water really fast good luck and wish for the best and easiest fix.
 
druid

druid

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Apr 22, 2009
837
Ontario 32 Pender Harbour
Well, turns out the problem is easily solved but a bit of a Quality Control problem at Beta.

I was wrong: the output shaft WAS turning... but the coupling was disconnected from the transmission! Turns out there's a nut which holds the coupling onto a splined shaft on the transmission. It's SUPPOSED to be "dimpled" once it's tightened so it won't come off, but that was never done. So - Shoutout to Don at Silva Bay Shipyards who's pretzeled himself into the locker to get the coupling back on. (to be clear: it's the coupling on the TRANSMISSION, not on the propshaft)

On to the Gulf Islands!
 
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Likes: Rick D
FastOlson

FastOlson

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Apr 8, 2010
2,121
Ericson Yachts Olson 34 28400 Portland OR
Glad to hear it's working again. :)
Several years ago a friend of ours put in a new Betamarine drivetrain in their 35 footer. The transmission was not working upon launch. (!)
Betamarine (US) was supportive and quick to respond. Betamarine paid a local well-regarded mechanic to change out the trans, back at the dock. They also cross-shipped a new trans. All is well for several years since and that vessel is now cruising blue water...

While it's disturbing for any new (or near new) part to fail, it was great to see the manufacturer step up immediately and thoroughly to address it.
Regards,
Loren
 
Jalepeno

Jalepeno

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Mar 2, 2008
406
Cal 25 mk II T-Bird Marina, West Vancouver
Wow, Sorry to hear about the problem with your new drive system but I'm glad it turned out to be a simple fix. As with most new stuff these days, juvenile major failure is uncommon but sometimes things do need a bit of tuning. Have a great sail.
 
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Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,174
CC 30 South Florida
Glad it was a simple fix. The process of locking the nut with a dimple is called "Stakin" or "to stake". Beta Marine purchases the transmissions off the shelf from PRM Newage, a long time and reputable British manufacturer. Both Beta and PRM have a good reputation for standing behind their products so you likely would have been made good in any case. Sail on.
 
Brian D

Brian D

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Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
Great Druid, but I know what you mean, you will be looking at that coupling every so often to see if it is still connected. When my brand new outboard quite because of clogged carburetor, I still have an uneasy feeling every time I go out. LOL
 
S

SailMaster

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Mar 31, 2012
139
Nord Cantieri 38 St Marys
Justin_NSA said:
Personally, I'm concerned about names with "Beta" in them. In my world it means test, trial, model, prototype etc. Not labels that instill confidence or reliability. Poor marketing choice for a name.
Click to expand
I thought ALL products made for the marine industry were in a constant ongoing "Beta Test" :)
 
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