Cost of a New Yanmar 44HP Installed?

Sep 8, 2025
6
Bayfield 36 Lewisporte
HI,

First post :)

I'm about to look at my first sailboat (to buy) in a couple of days. I have zero sailing experience. Its a Bayfield 36 and was curious what a ballpark price would be should it need a new engine - Yanmar 44HP? I'm guessing in the $10,000 - $15,000 CDN range (installed)?

Thanks
 
Oct 26, 2010
2,161
Hunter 40.5 Beaufort, SC
Why would you think it needs a new engine? You haven't said what the age of the boat is or how many hours are on the engine. well maintained diesel engines last many years and many hours. Of course you will want to get a survey and you will may very well want a more detailed engine inspection.
 
Sep 8, 2025
6
Bayfield 36 Lewisporte
Hi,

The boat is from 1989 and I believe the engine is original to the boat. According to the writeup its well maintained....but still 35 yrs old? The last survey says its overhauled yearly and does not say how many hours are on it?
 

Johnb

.
Jan 22, 2008
1,465
Hunter 37-cutter Richmond CA
HI,

First post :)

I'm about to look at my first sailboat (to buy) in a couple of days. I have zero sailing experience. Its a Bayfield 36 and was curious what a ballpark price would be should it need a new engine - Yanmar 44HP? I'm guessing in the $10,000 - $15,000 CDN range (installed)?

Thanks

Or 2 to 3 times that amount.
 
Jan 11, 2014
13,105
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Really? Up to $45,000 for a relatively small engine?
There is a lot of labor that goes into a repower, double the engine cost for an estimate of the total job. In addition to the cost of the engine, the fuel lines will need to be replaced, the prop, the engine beds may need to be modified and the exhaust system may need up grading.

If the diesel has been serviced regularly and not babied, i.e., running at low rpms, it will last for many thousands of hours. Unless the boat has been extensively cruised in places where sailing is not an option, such as on the ICW, the amount of hours on an engine will be very low. In a normal season at home, if we put on 100 hours that's a lot.
 
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Sep 25, 2008
7,510
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
As it may be your first, don’t focus on the engine. While it isn’t cheap to replace, there are a lot of other show-stoppers you shouldn’t overlook. The engine usually isn’t the obstacle.

The list is long so won’t bother except to say don’t make any decision without some experienced friend to advise you and even then a professional survey can save you from a bad decision.
 
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jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,502
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
The original engine was a Yanmar 4JHE. It is a good, solid engine that should last 10,000 hours before you need to overhaul it.

Before you think you have to replace the engine, have it inspected by a diesel mechanic you choose.

Then you will be in a position to decide what you want to offer. Yes, engine replacements can cost more than a mature boat's worth.
 
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Aug 17, 2013
1,071
Pearson P30 202 Ottawa/Gatineau
I know it isn’t the same but my atomic 4 gas engine is the original from 1972, those boat engines last very long, especially in Canada (shorter seasons) with a good tune up and regular maintenance yours should last forever (or close to it)
 
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Sep 8, 2025
6
Bayfield 36 Lewisporte
Thanks all for the informative replies. I will be seeing the boat tomorrow (GW) and will find out how many hours on the engine and how often maintenance has been done. If I do end up with the boat will definitely have a diesel mechanic have a look at it.

Thanks Again
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,502
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
If I do end up with the boat will definitely have a diesel mechanic have a look at it.
If you are concerned about the purchase process, have the mechanic inspect the engine before you "seal the deal."

The Mechanic will recognize temperatures, sounds, spills, leaks, smells, and noises of the engine and transmission that may give clues to potential issues.
 
Sep 8, 2025
6
Bayfield 36 Lewisporte
If you are concerned about the purchase process, have the mechanic inspect the engine before you "seal the deal."

The Mechanic will recognize temperatures, sounds, spills, leaks, smells, and noises of the engine and transmission that may give clues to potential issues.
I'm not sure that would be possible. The boat is out of the water.....I think the diesel is water cooled?? So wouidn't be able to run it?
 
Last edited:
May 17, 2004
5,754
Beneteau Oceanis 37 Havre de Grace
I'm not sure that would be possible. The boat is out of the water.....I think the diesel is water cooled?? So wouidn't be able to run it?
If the seller is willing you can put the intake hose in a 5 gallon bucket kept full by a garden hose. You won’t be able to put the engine in gear to test it under load but it is at least possible to see how it starts and runs in neutral.
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,510
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
If the seller is willing you can put the intake hose in a 5 gallon bucket kept full by a garden hose. You won’t be able to put the engine in gear to test it under load but it is at least possible to see how it starts and runs in neutral.
This is not unusual however, it isn’t a substitute for a thorough sea trial as any useful survey would include a sea trial to check everything, not just the engine.
 
Jan 7, 2011
5,731
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
I'm not sure that would be possible. The boat is out of the water.....I think the diesel is water cooled?? So wouidn't be able to run it?
There are ways to run the engine “on the hard”. Essentially using a 5 gallon bucket as the. “Sea”… put a garden hose in the bucket and let it keep the bucket full. Then run the engine intake hose into the bucket. When you start the engine, make sure the bucket doesn’t run dry. Just don’t put a garden hose into the engine intake (don’t force water in). Let the engine pump pull from the bucket. Someone at the marina must know how to do this.

dang…just saw @Davidasailor26 just posted this same thing.

Greg
 

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,233
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Get a mechanic who knows how to inspect marine engines. They'll advise you on how they handle the boat being out of the water.
 
Sep 8, 2025
6
Bayfield 36 Lewisporte
I asked how many hours were on the engine but the owner did not know....apparently there is no instrument counting the hours?? Found that kinda odd....is that fairly normal?
 
Jan 7, 2011
5,731
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
I asked how many hours were on the engine but the owner did not know....apparently there is no instrument counting the hours?? Found that kinda odd....is that fairly normal?
Some boats have them, some don’t. It isn’t a requirement like an odometer on a car.


Greg
 
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