My Universal 5411 is dead - I need to repower my 1983 Catalina 30. I am looking for options. I have been told that a new engine installed is around 11K. Does this sound about right? I hate to spend that much on an older baot. Has anyone ever repowered a 30 with one of those new 4-stroke outboards? I was thinking it may be a bit funky, but alot less expensive. I know- it would screw up my resale, but I anot really concerned about that at this point. Any ideas? Thanks
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
R
Rob Rich
J
John A. Visser
What do you mean by "dead?"
I imagine that unless the block and head are cracked, you could get your motor rebuilt, or exchange for a remanufactured motor, for much less than the outright purchase of a new one. And, if my memory serves, you can buy a new twin cylinder diesel of about 12 HP for less than half of $11k, perhaps less than $4k (5411 is twin of 11 HP). I would discourage strongly going to a gas motor like the A4 for a couple of reasons: 1. gas is inherently more dangerous than fuel oil. 2. you already have the diesel fuel tank and plumbing and filter system. 3. all other things being equal, the boat with the gas engine is worth less than the boat with the diesel. For such a small engine, I recommend a reman witha core swap and swap it yourself. jv
I imagine that unless the block and head are cracked, you could get your motor rebuilt, or exchange for a remanufactured motor, for much less than the outright purchase of a new one. And, if my memory serves, you can buy a new twin cylinder diesel of about 12 HP for less than half of $11k, perhaps less than $4k (5411 is twin of 11 HP). I would discourage strongly going to a gas motor like the A4 for a couple of reasons: 1. gas is inherently more dangerous than fuel oil. 2. you already have the diesel fuel tank and plumbing and filter system. 3. all other things being equal, the boat with the gas engine is worth less than the boat with the diesel. For such a small engine, I recommend a reman witha core swap and swap it yourself. jv
R
Rob Rich
Oh man.. Not this discussion again....
John, I have to disagree with you about A-4's. They are not dangerous, as their numbers and service histories will tell you. Easily serviced and properly maintained - they will last quite a while. While gasoline is more flammable than diesel, it is not necessarily more dangerous. Bottom line: my 1979 A-4 still runs like a top, and I don't need to replace it, do I? The fact that the diesel needs to be replaced and the gas engine doesn't speaks volumes. Best Regards, Rob
John, I have to disagree with you about A-4's. They are not dangerous, as their numbers and service histories will tell you. Easily serviced and properly maintained - they will last quite a while. While gasoline is more flammable than diesel, it is not necessarily more dangerous. Bottom line: my 1979 A-4 still runs like a top, and I don't need to replace it, do I? The fact that the diesel needs to be replaced and the gas engine doesn't speaks volumes. Best Regards, Rob
J
Jeff Walker
My neighbor uses an outboard
His Yanmar finally died in his Cat 30 and he put a 15 horse Honda 4 stroke mounted on a bracket. He made a couple of mistakes. The engine should have been a long shaft because the engine comes out of the water and races in any kind of rough seas. The positive side is his boat sure is quiet now and the engine does a good job moving the boat in calm water. Also consider that the new 4 strokes are much heavier than their 2 stroke counterparts and the bracket must be made adjustable with a block and tackle or some other mechanical system. I would look for a used, re-built inboard if it was me but I can see how an outboard would work. Good luck, Jeff
His Yanmar finally died in his Cat 30 and he put a 15 horse Honda 4 stroke mounted on a bracket. He made a couple of mistakes. The engine should have been a long shaft because the engine comes out of the water and races in any kind of rough seas. The positive side is his boat sure is quiet now and the engine does a good job moving the boat in calm water. Also consider that the new 4 strokes are much heavier than their 2 stroke counterparts and the bracket must be made adjustable with a block and tackle or some other mechanical system. I would look for a used, re-built inboard if it was me but I can see how an outboard would work. Good luck, Jeff
J
John V.
To Rob RIch - It's the FUEL,, ...
Rob, Please re-read my response. I was careful in stating it was the fuel that was dangerous, no thte A4. Your comment "While gasoline is more flammable than diesel, it is not necessarily more dangerous" is utter nonsense. Check the Coast Gaurd regulaitons regarding gas v. diesel installations. Your further comments: "Bottom line: my 1979 A-4 still runs like a top, and I don't need to replace it, do I? The fact that the diesel needs to be replaced and the gas engine doesn't speaks volumes" are also nonsense, in that they are anecdotal. Please read carefully and get it straight before refuting someone else's reply, at least out of courtesy.
Rob, Please re-read my response. I was careful in stating it was the fuel that was dangerous, no thte A4. Your comment "While gasoline is more flammable than diesel, it is not necessarily more dangerous" is utter nonsense. Check the Coast Gaurd regulaitons regarding gas v. diesel installations. Your further comments: "Bottom line: my 1979 A-4 still runs like a top, and I don't need to replace it, do I? The fact that the diesel needs to be replaced and the gas engine doesn't speaks volumes" are also nonsense, in that they are anecdotal. Please read carefully and get it straight before refuting someone else's reply, at least out of courtesy.
R
Rob Rich
Mr Visser, please read more carefully....
Mr. Visser, I seem to have offended you. If so, that was not my intention. However, before hit the poison pen too hard, I suggest you re-read my post. It was written in a light tone - not a viscious one. My post reads verbatim: "While gasoline is more flammable than diesel, it is not necessarily more dangerous." What this means is that with proper handling, gasoline should be no more dangerous than diesel. Proper use of the blower (run 3 to 5 minutes), proper inspection of the fuel system on a regular basis (good PM), and general use of the old sniffer will see you safely to your next port. As for anecdotal evidence, yes, it was... and intended to be so. Holding a masters in journalism has taught me not to communicate erroneous facts or statistics. All I said is that it "speaks volumes." And it does, especially when it comes to conventional wisdom, which at best is not all that conventional when you think about it. So, I hope you understand my angle and my post. I may not agree with what you say, but I will always defend your right to say it, and post a response to my response. That is why this website is here, and I wouldn't want it any other way. Best Regards, Rob Rich
Mr. Visser, I seem to have offended you. If so, that was not my intention. However, before hit the poison pen too hard, I suggest you re-read my post. It was written in a light tone - not a viscious one. My post reads verbatim: "While gasoline is more flammable than diesel, it is not necessarily more dangerous." What this means is that with proper handling, gasoline should be no more dangerous than diesel. Proper use of the blower (run 3 to 5 minutes), proper inspection of the fuel system on a regular basis (good PM), and general use of the old sniffer will see you safely to your next port. As for anecdotal evidence, yes, it was... and intended to be so. Holding a masters in journalism has taught me not to communicate erroneous facts or statistics. All I said is that it "speaks volumes." And it does, especially when it comes to conventional wisdom, which at best is not all that conventional when you think about it. So, I hope you understand my angle and my post. I may not agree with what you say, but I will always defend your right to say it, and post a response to my response. That is why this website is here, and I wouldn't want it any other way. Best Regards, Rob Rich
J
John Visser
Bottom line
Regardless of the arguement, my choice for inboard auxiliary power is diesel, for reasons of safety related to the fuel. jv
Regardless of the arguement, my choice for inboard auxiliary power is diesel, for reasons of safety related to the fuel. jv
L
Larry Watkins
C-30 repower
Don; Don't stick an outboard on your transom, you'll look like an ignorant goof and other sailors will laugh at you behind your back. It's almost as bad as leaving your fenders down. Bite the bullet and rebuild your 5411. If you do the labor yourself, the cost will be reasonable and you'll have the engine the boat was designed to use.
Don; Don't stick an outboard on your transom, you'll look like an ignorant goof and other sailors will laugh at you behind your back. It's almost as bad as leaving your fenders down. Bite the bullet and rebuild your 5411. If you do the labor yourself, the cost will be reasonable and you'll have the engine the boat was designed to use.
S
Steve W.
Larry is right...I saw a Newport 28 with a ....
longshaft outboard and sailed over to investigate. The diesel had locked up and the owner added the 15hp outboard and hates it. Even in our relatively protected inland Florida waters, the outboard comes out of the water on all but the calmest days. He said it was a stupid idea and a total waste of money and effort and has killed the value of the boat. Maybe you can rebuild the 5411. Good Luck
longshaft outboard and sailed over to investigate. The diesel had locked up and the owner added the 15hp outboard and hates it. Even in our relatively protected inland Florida waters, the outboard comes out of the water on all but the calmest days. He said it was a stupid idea and a total waste of money and effort and has killed the value of the boat. Maybe you can rebuild the 5411. Good Luck
H
Henry Weber
diesel rebuild
Don About six months ago I rebuilt my Yanmar 12hp diesel. It was a fair amount of work but not too bad. This was a single cylinder. It cost about $900 which includes all parts from Yanmar, machining done in an engine shop, and removal/install. Labor was mine and is not included. (Replaced valves,seats,cylinder sleeve, piston, rings, all bearings, rod, oil pump. Crank and block and camshaft were ok.) Has been running like a new engine ever since. I have about 100hrs on her since rebuild. Good luck Henry
Don About six months ago I rebuilt my Yanmar 12hp diesel. It was a fair amount of work but not too bad. This was a single cylinder. It cost about $900 which includes all parts from Yanmar, machining done in an engine shop, and removal/install. Labor was mine and is not included. (Replaced valves,seats,cylinder sleeve, piston, rings, all bearings, rod, oil pump. Crank and block and camshaft were ok.) Has been running like a new engine ever since. I have about 100hrs on her since rebuild. Good luck Henry
J
Jay Rickles
re engine
Don't know about an outboard option, but I had to put a new engine in my 1989 Catalina 30. I had a Universal 23hp and the replacement was a Universal 27hp. I had to redo some of the exhaust fitings to the water lock as the engine as been redesigned as is usually the case on the older boats. I also added an extra alarm and warning light at the helm for the oil pressure and water temp. This engine cost me $5800 plus about an extra $1000 for parts to make it fit. I looked at a Yanmar, but it would have run $6800 for the engine and $2000 for the part to make the Yanmar fit. With all charges (pulling and checking on rebuilding the old engine) it came to about $11,000 as you have found. A lot of the labor comes from having to re-install and wire up the new engine..all the connections are different from the plug in your boat and it has to be wired up separately. I would be interested in what you find regarding an outboard, but you might want to check on what happens to your resale value if you do this...also, what do you do with the old engine. Good luck and happy sailing.
Don't know about an outboard option, but I had to put a new engine in my 1989 Catalina 30. I had a Universal 23hp and the replacement was a Universal 27hp. I had to redo some of the exhaust fitings to the water lock as the engine as been redesigned as is usually the case on the older boats. I also added an extra alarm and warning light at the helm for the oil pressure and water temp. This engine cost me $5800 plus about an extra $1000 for parts to make it fit. I looked at a Yanmar, but it would have run $6800 for the engine and $2000 for the part to make the Yanmar fit. With all charges (pulling and checking on rebuilding the old engine) it came to about $11,000 as you have found. A lot of the labor comes from having to re-install and wire up the new engine..all the connections are different from the plug in your boat and it has to be wired up separately. I would be interested in what you find regarding an outboard, but you might want to check on what happens to your resale value if you do this...also, what do you do with the old engine. Good luck and happy sailing.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.