Replacement Bukh diesel

[Ken " Dancin Bear"]

I am trying to help a lady sailor at our club. She has a 10 HP Bukh Diesel inboard.It powers her Mirage 27 ft sailboat. The engine runs like a charm but is full of oil/water grey sludge. The block was cracked and stitched some time ago and it appears to have returned with a bigger hole.The HP is a bit low for the size of the boat. She is wanting to go a little quicker than 3.5 Knots. I have seen new engines for @ 7500.00 US but that's out of the ballpark and then some.The boat is in like new condition and she wants to keep it sailing for many more years. Does anyone know of a scource for a good Yanmar or similiar that is around 15 HP.Somewhere in Canada would be the best because of the hassles with importation.Has anyone out there ever repowered one of these boats?Thanks for any help.Ken

 

[Steve Dion]

What about another Bukh?

Check into another Bukh. They are very well built engines and probably less expensive than a Yanmar.If she goes with a 2 cyl. model she will probalby have less modification than going with another brand.

 

[Peter]

Bukh 10hp

3.5 knts? Our Catalina 27 with a 1986 Bukh and a newer Campbell Sailor prop can exceed 6knts, although we cruise at about 5 to 5 1/2 fully loaded. I don't think that the boat was much underpowered, just maybe the engine wasn't putting out near 10hp or perhaps impoperly propped.Peterp.s. The newer Bukhs are actually quite nice.

 

[Benny]

Is the engine dying or not?

You say it runs like a charm but then add that the block has cracked again. A 10HP engine with the high torque of a diesel should be plenty for a 6,000-7,000 lbs 27' boat. I would make sure the bottom and prop are not fouled. A compression check will reveal the condition as it relates to power. If the engine is well worn and not deemed rebuildable and there are budgetary constraints I would first consider replacing it with the current DV-7 BUKH single cylinder 7.5HP engine. This would be for simplicity of installation and lower cost of the engine. Upgrading to a two cylinder Yanmar would be a costly proposition. As a last resort you can add a motor mount and hang a 10HP outboard on the transom.