I re-powered our old C-30 with a Universal M3-20 (18HP). It was more engine than the boat needed.. Even against the strong tides in the rivers here in Maine the M3-20B was more than enough, when it had the right prop. It was totally useless at boobs-on-a-bull with the two blade folding Martec (yes it was correctly sized
) but once I put a three blade sailor prop on it was like a tank. The prop choice can make or break the boat...
The biggest issue is usually being over propped. If your prop is correct then you should easily be able to drive a C-30 with the M-18 (14HP). Heck our Catalina 36 was easily driven by an M-25 (23HP). The key here is to get the prop right, most boats are either over or under propped on top of tachs being incorrect this leads folks to think they are under powered.
Confirm your prop, tach and engine are in synch before plopping down on a repower...
P.S. If I were to do a re-power today, for my own boat, it would be a Beta... Yanmar, Westerbeke, Universal etc. are all great engines but be prepared to be bent over for the parts pricing.
Beta is not shy to tell you which Kubota equivalent parts work with their engines. A real, breath of fresh air. Stanley at Beta US can not be beat for customer service!! Heck Westerbeke contracts with Mitsubishi that a Mitsubishi dealer can not sell a part to a customer if they know it is going on a Westerbeke..
Lawyer written contracts with the engine supplier to prevent you from getting
reasonable parts prices..!!! Sheesh.....
