Repower a 70's hunter 30 with universal diesel.

Jan 22, 2008
99
Hunter 30_74-83 Rochester, New York (Lake Ontario)
Hello,

Has anyone re-powered their 70's vintage Hunter 30 with a Universal diesel engine? I may have access to a two-cylinder freshwater cooled engine in the 16 - 18 HP range. Anyone done this? If so, how did the re-power go?

Thanks,
Bob
 
Jan 22, 2008
99
Hunter 30_74-83 Rochester, New York (Lake Ontario)
I have a YSM12, a very good engine in very good condition but..... 10 HP continuous and 12 HP max for 1 hour.
 
Feb 8, 2014
1,300
Columbia 36 Muskegon
The best thing about Universals is they're really Kubota tractor engines and parts can be gotten from tractors shops for a small fraction of marine prices. Worst thing is the wiring is horrible. Lots of threads here on how to fix the wiring, so if you go with the Universal be sure to check that out. I repowered my Columbia 36 with a Universal last year and it's been great.
 
Nov 2, 2015
196
hunter 30 bat n.c.
o.k just curious how has the yanmar performed? This is my first and wondering what to expect out of it
 
Jan 22, 2008
99
Hunter 30_74-83 Rochester, New York (Lake Ontario)
The Yanmar has been great! In the time I have had it I have just had to have the starter rebuilt. It is very reliable and always has been. The only issue I have is that with 10 HP and a 10,200lb boat I can only manage a maximum of 5.3 knots (briefly) on a calm day, flat seas, no wind. Realistically she can motor in calm conditions at about 4.7 knots. So, making frequent crossings on lake Ontario and having to motor sail most often on the leg to the Northwest, it is adding at least an 1 1/2 hours to the time to get across the 50 nm. Other than that, great motor, built like a tank and runs great.
Cheers,
Bob
 
Nov 2, 2015
196
hunter 30 bat n.c.
that's good I am worried about mine because hopefully in the spring plan to sail from bathn.c. to Charleston s. c. !
 
Jun 4, 2004
834
Hunter 340 Forked River, NJ
My previous boat was a 1980 H30. The first owner was a Hunter salesman and he upgraded the small 10 HP Yanmar to a Yanmar 2 QM15 (raw water cooled). I put a three blade Campbell Sailor prop on it and had plenty of power and boat speed.
 
Nov 2, 2015
196
hunter 30 bat n.c.
sound's good. Mine is a ysm12 , haven't had her out yet! Just getting everything straight and curios about the engine. Won't really know until I try her