Diesel replacement dilemma

[ddines]

I have an interesting situation. I have a 1973 Cal 2-29 with a Farymann 1 cyl diesel that is acting up and have been looking for a used diesel to replace it. I came across a 1985 Yanmar 2 cyl. but it comes with a 1972 Morgan 30/2. He is asking 5.5k for everything. The seller is saying to strip the sails, hardware, engines, ballast, etc and cut up the hull and scrap it. The sails are much newer than what I have. I am thinking, maybe I should try fixing up the Morgan and selling or scrapping the Cal.

Any insights, suggestions, experience would be appreciated.

 

[KMm]

Having worked with two boats that were near ready to scrap, and turning both of them into great boats I will say if you are working with a boat that has potential it can really work out well for you. BUT, that really depends on what's wrong with it. In my cases both hulls were in good condition No Blisters on one and had a ton on the other($4,000 but I got it for $500 a Santana 28). What is the hull condition, Interior, standing rigging, Dry rot, Engine? How firm is he on the price? The most important question, How much of the work can you do yourself. If you decided to just get the sails and engine and do your boat its not a bad price for sails and the diesel (good running condition). Don,t forget that scraping the hull of the Morgan isn't cheap (dump fees & Has Mat) at least in Calif.
What I would do is an inspection of the Morgan and cost out all of the repairs and then decide if its worth the money, and you will also know what you can use on the Cal and what you can sell. Good Luck!!

 

[jibes138]

does it have a lead keel, either boat? The keel may be worth a large portion of the purchase price as scrap metal. Scrap metal has a dollar per pound value to it so check the market and see what a couple thousand pounds of lead will get you.

 

[tommays]

I would say it depends on were you are with the Cal as if its good other than the motor your dumping it over a 25 year old diesel

 

[emilbec]

I had a 1971 Cal 2-29. Great boat to sail. The one cylinder Farymann was long gone replaced by a 3 cylinder Westebeake. Putting a new engine is the Cal is going to set you back $7,000 - $15,000 depending on the power plant you choose and the amount of work you do yourself. There was a fellow up in BC who took out the inboards and replaced them with outboards. Something you might consider.

Before pouring a lot of money into the Cal you should inspect the steel beam that runs across the boat under the door, and supports the mast compression post. There has been talk that the steel used was not made to Lanworth's specs and is (or has) corroding. Replacing that beam is one huge task. To make things easier someone was selling replacements for around $500.

 

[Mike B1026]

Maybe a dumb question but....

I am always reading posts about replacing an engine thats worn. Usually the answer is to replace it instead of rebuilding. I can't imagine that a one or two cylinder diesel engine is any more complicated than a v-8 in a typical car or truck. Why don't people rebuild them more often?

My only thought about this, is that most people aren't very mechanically inclined. (most seemed baffled on how to clean a carb) They are willing to buy another engine and the swap it out instead of paying someone to rebuild it?

 

[Prime Time]

Irony

Ironically, it may be cheaper to buy a new to you used boat with a better engine than placing a new engine in your boat.

 

[higgs]

I have heard that the 30/2 Morgan is a pretty good performing boat. You don't indicate what you will have to put into it to get it up to your standards nor do you indicate the condition of your Cal.

Figure 2000 minimum for a new set of sails down the road for the Cal. The engine from the Morgan is not going to just nicely slide into the mounts on the Cal. It wont nicely fit your old prop shaft and it won't nicely hook up to your cockpit controls.

Assuming the boats are in similar condition I would lean to the Morgan and price the Cal real attractively with the idea that someone can put an outboard on it. Say you get $1500 for the Cal and get the Morgan for $4500 or so. Your back on the water for 3000 and have not spent countless hours trying to get a replacement engine to work in the Cal. Plus - and a big plus it is - you don't have to figure out how to dispose of a 30 ft boat.

 

[woodster]

Maybe a dumb question but....

I am always reading posts about replacing an engine thats worn. Usually the answer is to replace it instead of rebuilding. I can't imagine that a one or two cylinder diesel engine is any more complicated than a v-8 in a typical car or truck. Why don't people rebuild them more often?

My only thought about this, is that most people aren't very mechanically inclined. (most seemed baffled on how to clean a carb) They are willing to buy another engine and the swap it out instead of paying someone to rebuild it?

in most cases it is cheaper to buy a used engine in good repair and replace the old one than it is to rebuild the old one ...the parts for rebuilding the old one are very high priced (in the case of it being a yanmar my personal exp)...one can usually find a used one for $1000.00 and up ...the cost of parts will be that and much and more if you do the rebuild your self in order to get a good rebuild and the reman companys useally do an exchange rebuild for about $3500.00 and up...on top of that not all boaters or sailors care to do this type of work or have the back ground or confidence to do so......so far i have found that there are three kinds of sailors ...the ones that sail...the ones that work on sail boats...and the ones that talk about it ...when you find one that can be all three of theses things in one pakage you have a very rare breed....hope this helps answer your not so dumb question....

ps....the cost of being a sailor is dependant on ones budget...it is amazing how much you can learn and accomplish on a limited budget

regrads

woody