re-powered 33's

[steven f]

I've heard that the original engines in the H33's were too small. My boat is a 1981 33 and it was re-powered in 85 with a 24 hp Westerbeke (I was not the owner at the time). I am just curious how many other 33 owners have repowered and with what size/type of engine.

 

[carol donovan]

engine not the problem

My 1980 H33 had a 27hp Yanmar. But, after I changed the prop from fixed 2-blade to fixed 3-blade, I got dramatically improved performance. The boat was easier to handle in reverse, got better headway in rough seas and stopped in under a boat length. The 'engine' went from being marginal to being a solid performer with the new prop!/cs/v Twilight

 

[Ernie tetrault]

ditto

I would echo Carol's comments exactly. I made the prop change on a1979 H33 last year. Performance has never been better!

 

[Terry Arnold]

A Cautionary note

I have a 79 H33 with a 2gm (15 hp) auxiliary engine, and a 2 bladed bronze prop that is not original with the boat. At full throttle, the engine will do very near the governed 3600 rpm underway, 6.5 knots or under most any condition that I would be using an engine. The Yanmar is manufactured to rev, being rated for continuous duty at I believe 3300 rpm. At 3300, the boat makes well above 6 knots. It doesn't respond like a motorsailer docking, backing, accelerating or decelerating. It doesn't sail like one either. There is going to be a sailing penalty with a fixed 3 blade prop. Anybody changing props needs to also make certain that the engine will still make its designed operating rpm range, or else be exposed to accelerated mixing elbow coking problems that are pretty well documented in the archives here.

 

[jim logan]

Rev, not OVER rev

My two cents worth - I noticed in this list of postings reference to the "3600" rpm rating of a "2gm" yanmar in a 1979 boat - I think that the yanmars for that year and a couple of years after were 2QM15's which are rated at 3000 rpm continuous, 3400 1 hour - if you turn them at 3600, you are over-revving. Probably won't hurt if it happens occasionally, but for regular use you should stick to the rating listed on the engine data plate, which is on the starbord side of the engine close to the fuel pump.

 

[Sam Lust]

3GM30F install

Back last fall I got lucky and picked up a low hours 3GM30F at a great price. It will be mated to a 14 X 13 3 blade prop recomended by a well respected prop guy. The swap is now mostly complete. Other projects should come together by mid June and I expect to post an article in Photo Forum then.