Engine Options

[MLampner]

Just back from a 6 day cruise, from the Baltimore area to Cape May. It was a great trip and the boat handled wonderfully, particularly under sail, she loves to go to the wind.

In any case my engine is showing all of its 33 years. It has begun to use oil and no surprise when we had to fight the wind on the nose 4 ft waves and a tide running against us at better than 5 knots as we did for a part of the trip we crawled to Cape May.

This gives rise to a couple of questions, is it worth rebuilding the YSB 12 on board or repowering. Money unfortunately is always a problem. Even in its youth I am sure the YSB would have been unpowered. On the other hand this engine is incredibly forgiving, easy to live with and starts with little fuss.

I am looking for thoughts on the two options and just how much either might lighten my wallet.

For those so inclined the video of the trip is on You Tube


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5SuGhyx_MU

 

[kloudie1]

You Tube link not working.
I think Hermit Scott rebuilt his and can offer words.. Seems like that would be in order for your engine.. she'll have more poop when freshly rebuilt with injection timing and valve timing set correctly and sporting rebuilt injectors and HP pump.. Both options are pricy especially if you have someone else do the work. Because the little guy is horizontal, it may be a problem to try to repower with an upright engine. Can be done, but is not a drop-in. Something like this could probably be fit in.. but it is not an easy mod.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Univ...7697941QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

 

[MLampner]

Claude thanks, one part of me says live with it, not going off shore with it any time soon and despite the oil consumption and low power output, it gets me off the dock and home when the wind quits. Also tides in the Chesapeake generally aren't like the ones we encountered on the Delaware. Losing a knot or half a not is not a major problem.

In the Delaware we were running against a 4 knot current for a while. When the engine can only get the boat to 5 knots you csan imagine how long those miles were.

Sorry about the link if your curious this should work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5SuGhyx_MU

 

[Benny]

Neither will a rebuilt or a new engine buck a contratry 4 knot current. You say you had a flawless trip and you describe the engine as forgiving and easy starting; this don't sound like a problem. If the engine is burning oil go to a higher multi grade oil or use an oil additive to boost viscocity. A 15W40 or a 20W50 should reduce oil consumption and also raise compression a little. Would not spend the money yet unless I was planning on a long trip. Trips in Delaware Bay have to be planned around the currents. If the current is flowing the wrong way it is best to stay put. Delaware Bay can also be a very uncomfortable place when wind opposes current.

 

[MLampner]

Agree about the planning, we timed it so we would arrive at the Delaware side of the C&D about 1.5 hours before high tide, so we'd fight the current for a while and with the promised 20 mph wind out of the NW at worst would be on a run and make 3 or 4 knots. Came out of the canal to no wind, and as we got below the Cohancy, where we figured we hold up if things went wrong it remained fairly calm. With about half the distance to go Cape May the Wind came up out of the SE the tide went wrong and we were stuborn, a 10 hour trip quickly turned into an 18 hour trip.

If you live through them you learn from your mistakes and all aboard did and actually felt good about the day.

 

[ggrizzard]

My H30 '79 came with a Yanmar YSM 12 and was under powered from the start.
The YSM was also a flat engine. After it gave up the ghost, I repowered with a used 2GM which fit fine in my engine bay. Now my power and a three bladed prop will handle those pesky 5kt currents.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Nice trip. Did it once, Cape to Annapolis. Then on to Tampa Bay. George mentioned an engine AND prop change. You did not say what prop you are using. That can make a real difference. From your last post I read that you are considering leaving well enough alone. Maybe just a good used prop will hold you until a required upgrade.

 

[Mark Ferrick]

What prop do you have

... a three bladed prop will handle those pesky 5kt currents.

What prop are you using on the 2GM?

 

[kloudie1]

Good video.. Looks like a fine time was had by all!
If the engine is burning the oil, Benny has a point. You can up the viscosity a bit and help, but do look for an oil that has a "C" in its rating on the logo. Like CD or CF .. That is diesel oil and has better soot carrying capability and some have better anti-wear additives. If the oil is leaking out .. whole 'nother story. Boat has clean prop and clean bottom?

 

[Robert1224]

First of all, that was a very good video. Wow! Well composed and produced.... (Your video made me feel I was back on Summer's Glory", which we just hauled last week)

I've been sailing Lake Ontario for many years in a variety of boats. I currently sail a 1979 Hunter 30, which has a YSM 12. Very similar to your engine, in fact practically identical. Last fall I had the good fortune to attend an excellent two day diesel maintenance seminar put on by the Annapolis School of Seamanship.

Our introduction at the start of the seminar was the statement "diesel engines don't die, you have to kill them". That said I'm very pleased with the YSM 12 and have no plans of replacing. The series were commercial grade diesels which rate very high on reliability, and I can add from personal experience a pleasure to perform routine maintenance on. I'd also give much thought before changing the stock prop that came with it, as it introduces variables that can in some combinations cause problems. I'm not saying replacing a prop is bad at all, as long as one sciences out the swap. But the props we have were specifically picked for our engines. And the 12's are a 12 hp peek, 10 hp constant output engine.

How much can you speed up your Volkswagen Beetle by putting racing slicks on the back?....

In any event, thank you for sharing an excellent video. And if you have any questions I may be able to answer, feel free to email me directly....

Best wishes,
Bob

 

[ggrizzard]

As Bob says:
"I'd also give much thought before changing the stock prop that came with it, as it introduces variables that can in some combinations cause problems. I'm not saying replacing a prop is bad at all, as long as one sciences out the swap. But the props we have were specifically picked for our engines."
The mech that installed my engine called in a local prop shop who calculated engine torque, RPM, boat displacement, etc and provided the correct prop. I don't have the specs at hand and wouldn't necessarily be relevant, but if I can find the specs, I'll PM you.
Regards,
G.

 

[MLampner]

Much to think about. I do have the stock two blade prop. When the boat was surveyed, it noted the prop is "dead", metal didn't ring when struck.

I know there is more power left in this old tired engine than I can actually transfer to the water. In flat slack tide water, I can spin the engine about 600 RPM faster with no change in speed. I assume a 3 blade prop would transfer that energy to the water more efficently. On the other hand its more drag when on sail. Despite its age this boat is still a winner particularly when going to windward. We out ran a number of boats some with longer water lines on a recent sail.

Glad people liked the video, gives me a lot of pleasure to watch it. Robert used to live in Utica and Cortland so I know winter is closing in on you. If you want to escape south for a weekend we'll be on the water till mid Nov.

Thanks everyone much to think about.

 

[cbader]

Change prop:

I have a 79' Hunter 30. I have noticed a change in boat speed and thrust through wind/wave over the last three years and a small amount of oil consumption. I have held off rebuilding or repowering but estimates for my local area of rebuild is $900 for kit, $2400 for labor, a new 20 HP Beta or Yanmar is about the same, $12K installed. I decided to change my prop and I was able to find a gently used Campbell Sailor prop off a 78' Hunter 30. I contacted Campbell Sailor to see what prop they had recommended for my boat and it matched the used one I had found. I asked for other owners info and they said everyone was very pleased and impressed.I haven't notice a increase in drag with the three blade prop.The seller was changing to a newer Yanmar with a right hand prop. He was impressed with the prop and had ordered a replacement for the right hand turn engine. I have noticed an increased in speed on flat water by a knot and notice that rpm's had decrease a little with more loading on engine but no increase of oil consumption since prop change. I ask my local desiel mechanic and he felt the extra load would not hurt the engine. It have also felt an increase of the fell of punching through wind and waves, instead of stalling. I fell like I am not stalling and GPS data bears that out. I do agree this boat really does well to wind.

 

[MLampner]

Thanks everyone, may go a while longer with this engine as it is heavier oil and will seriously consider the idea of a new prop over the winter.