S2 30C Yanmar 13 HP Engine Underpowered?

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Jun 5, 2013
4
S2 30 Center Cockpit arcadia, mi
I'm purchasing a 1984 S2 30' with a Yanmar 13 HP Diesel. Does anyone have any experience with this size engine in this 9800 lb. boat?...Will the engine make hull speed at its rated RPMs? Will it be able to move the boat with a 20 knot headwind? While I don't intend to race the boat I'd also like to feel that it's capable of being seaworthy in moderately adverse conditions. I've heard the rule of thumb is 1 HP for every 500 lbs, thus this engine seems insufficient for the size and weight of this boat.
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
I'm purchasing a 1984 S2 30' with a Yanmar 13 HP Diesel. Does anyone have any experience with this size engine in this 9800 lb. boat?...Will the engine make hull speed at its rated RPMs? Will it be able to move the boat with a 20 knot headwind? While I don't intend to race the boat I'd also like to feel that it's capable of being seaworthy in moderately adverse conditions. I've heard the rule of thumb is 1 HP for every 500 lbs, thus this engine seems insufficient for the size and weight of this boat.
i have a 1979 9.2 A it came with the 2qm 13 o14 hp i changed it to a 2gmf 16 or 18 hp...dont know how that is going to work out just yet but 2 weeks ago i went on a cruse in th gulf on a 15,000 35 footer with a 2gm and it would push the boat at 6.5 at 2600 rpms and seemed to be plenty of power .......

regards

woody
 
Jun 5, 2013
4
S2 30 Center Cockpit arcadia, mi
WooWhat was your experience with the 2qm?

i have a 1979 9.2 A it came with the 2qm 13 o14 hp i changed it to a 2gmf 16 or 18 hp...dont know how that is going to work out just yet but 2 weeks ago i went on a cruse in th gulf on a 15,000 35 footer with a 2gm and it would push the boat at 6.5 at 2600 rpms and seemed to be plenty of power .......

regards

woody
Woody, thanks for your reply. I'd like to know a little more about your experience with the 2qm..13 HP. How long did you have it, how reliable was it and why did you replace it? What speed could you do with it and how did it do in a headwind? Many thanks, Barry
 
Mar 14, 2007
88
S2 9.2A Seattle, WA
S2 30C Yanmar 13 HP Engine Underpowered?

My S2 9.2A had a Yanmar YSE12 single cylinder installed when I bought the boat. It leaked oil, overheated, vibrated, was under powered and was hard to start. By chance I found a Yanmar 3GMD 3 cylinder, 20 HP engine with about 1800 hours that was being replace with a larger engine. The 3GMD is longer that the YSE12 and some modification to the engine compartment was required. My write up should be in the archives.
I am delighted with the result. I can drive into a headwind or current at a reasonable speed and in flat water, no wind or current. I have seen 7.3 kts on the GPS at full power. Generally run at about 1800 RPM and 6.3 kts.
I vote for a larger engine, your low power, heavy engine should go away.
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
Woody, thanks for your reply. I'd like to know a little more about your experience with the 2qm..13 HP. How long did you have it, how reliable was it and why did you replace it? What speed could you do with it and how did it do in a headwind? Many thanks, Barry
it was in the boat when i got it and i never had a chance to use it .....the qm is heavy to about 175 lbs more than the gm......i had to change the angle of the shaft tube and adjust the angle of the shaft strut with the new engine...i am confident that the new to me engine will be a good choice for my boat....i might have keeped the qm except for the fact that it was 30 years old and out of production ...along with the fact that it was sea water cooled only and eventualy it would have corroded and broke through the casting in the block and or the manifold or head.....the gm is fresh water cooled (closed system) and will allow me to have hot water by running the engine ...the qm would not do that .....the qm is a good engine except for its age.....if you are thinking about repowering with a later up graded model look at the 3 gm like Bob McKee an the 2 gm as well or if you go new.... look at the beta marine setup ....word on the street is that beta is a very good company to deal with and they are using kobota blocks i beleave (i think universal is a kobota aswell you know the one that catalina uses) in any case if you are thinking about re powering now go to it because you will be haunted by the fact that you didnt as long as you havent do so.....hope this has helped...

regards

woody
 
Jun 5, 2013
4
S2 30 Center Cockpit arcadia, mi
Thanks again , Woody. I'm just made the offer to purchase the boat, subject to the results of the survey. I'm meeting with the surveyor tomorrow. I'll have a better sense of the condition of the engine after that . The boat is in Michigan and as far as I know it's always been in fresh water. From all appearances the boat has been immaculately maintained, but even if the engine is in excellent running condition, i wonder if it's adequate for a boat of this displacement... I appreciate your advice.---Barry
 
Mar 14, 2007
88
S2 9.2A Seattle, WA
S2 30C Yanmar 13 HP Engine Underpowered?

In my opinion ... for what it's worth, the 9.2A is underpowered with the 13hp engine, especially if you are contending with winds and currents. I also installed a three-bladed prop, I'm not racing and Puget Sound has flaky winds with variable currents.
The Beta engine is a Kubota tractor engine. You get most parts at a Kubota dealer, not a marine parts store. I got lucky with the engine I found, if you decide on a used engine I suggest one that is in current production, some parts get hard to find on older ones. It took me 3 months to find parts for a 20hp Bukh diesel on a different boat.
 

kbyte

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Mar 27, 2012
10
S2 9.2C Oriental
We've had our 9.2C for about a year and a half. It has the 2QM13 engine, and I've been very happy with it. It's simple, sturdy, and reliable.

I have the standard 2 bladed prop. Typically I run the engine @2500 rpm and get about 5.8 knts. Full throttle, and the boat will do 6.2 knts. (about hull speed). A 20 knt. headwind will reduce that to 5 knts. and 5.8 knts. respectively.

While you can't use it for water skiing, I find the engine perfectly adequate. It does depend on your local conditions, though. If you routinely have to push against a 5 knt. current and 20 knt. headwinds, you might want to consider alternatives.
 
Jun 5, 2013
4
S2 30 Center Cockpit arcadia, mi
Dear Kbyte---Thanks for your reply. I've just had a sea trial and survey on Friday and I was most pleased with the results. This 1984 2 owner S2C has been sailed exclusively in the Great Lakes and the engine appeared clean ,quite, strong and vibration free. The surveyor note some small leakage at the cavatation joint when we sailed it but thought it might "self seal" since the boat was on the hard for winter and just been put in the water.
It motored at 5 1/2 knots in a 15 to 20 MPH headwind at 2500 RPM and sailed at up to 7 knots. The owner said it would cruise all day at that speed, and that other than routine maintenance, and the installation of a three blade prop for better steering, it had been trouble free.

I'm planning to take delivery the end of this week and sail it 50 miles from Pentwater ,MI to its new home port of Arcadia, MI.

I was concerned about the adequacy of the motor to push of boat of this displacement after some prior responses, but it appears that this well cared for engine is reliable and adequate for my needs.

The surveyor was impressed with the boat and its condition. The only issue appears to be the odor from the aft cabin where the waste storage tank is located . He thought it could be related to the hose from the
head which he suggested replacing with a hose specifically designed to carry waste.
Any advice on this or other unique issues to this vessel? Once again, I appreciate your input.
Thanks, Barry
 
Sep 6, 2011
435
For head odors there is a guru amongst us named Peg Hall or headmistress. She has given tons of great advice. I think it was Peg that suggests to wrap a damp towel around the questionable hose for 24 hrs. Then of the towel stinks you need a new hose. I believe trident 101 sanitation hose is recommended.

Another source of odor can be if the head is raw water (lake water) flushed.

Enjoy hour new boat!
SC
 

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
9.2A issues

S2 9.2 issues

- leaking aluminum fuel and water tanks
- separated tabbing on the engine beds due to vibration
- if the head door doesn't hit the block opposite it on the closet door the block under the compression post may need replacing (getting very common)
- may have trouble cold starting - common Yanmar issue. Can be fixed with a solenoid.
- leaking rudder packing / corrosion on bolts on the block under it
- chain plate leaks / rot in the bulkheads (any sailboat...actually easier to fix on an S2 9.2)
- cracks/crazing in the the ports and hatches
- the engine over the bilge can create a mess in the bilge. Spilling oil is illegal. Get a foil broiler line and stuff it under the engine with an absorber on top. Get a reusable oil pillow on a line and drop it in the bilge to do its job. Wring it out occasionally. I had diesel in my bilge because of a leaking fuel tank. Tough to clean.
- Deep bilge makes bilge pump maintenance a challenge. Mine is mounted to a long board that is attached to the wood in front of the engine. That works out pretty well as you can just undo a couple of screws and pull it up to maintain it.

In general, the fiberglass work on the S2 is excellent. The open design of the cabin has been great. I rarely set up the table below as we invested in a good teak cockpit table.

The 2QM15 has been very reliable. A bit tough to start in the fall unless you use the compression release. I rigged a line to it to allow me to use it easily. Occasionally it just won't start. Turn the key and nothing. I replaced the starter button. Jiggled the wires on the back of the ignition switch. Last year I found a lose connection on the starter so I hope that was it. I should do the famous Yanmar solenoid fix, but haven't gotten to it. The way it is wired, the wires are undersized and the engine doesn't get enough juice from the batteries, through the ignition switch to the starter. You run wires from the ignition switch too and from the switch to the solenoid and heavy wires from the battery to the solenoid and from the solenoid to the engine. There is a diagram with the solenoid brand (common) on this site somewhere.
 
Dec 12, 2012
6
S2 9.2A Cranston
My S2 9.2A has a Yanmar 2GM 13hp. It runs great, starts perfectly, and it's fine for docking, getting to/from moorings etc. But recently headed into 15-20 kt winds and 2 maybe 3 kts of current going home. What a drag. Took forever even at 3000 rpm. Can't afford to repower. Should I think about a 3 blade fixed, or go for a feathered? Would that give it the thrust it needs going upwind/current?

(btw, the foil liner under motor is exc idea. My bilge is a mess, and the 1.25 reinforced hose has to travel about a mile up to get to stern port, so I have the backwash problem. Looking for ideas there too.)
 

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
Been there. My advice? Unless you anticipate this to be a frequent issue just live with it. We are a bit spoiled by our GPS units which don't take currents or winds into account. The most you will gain is a knot by a prop change to a three blade and you will lose it under sail unless you drop thousands on a Gori or other feathering three blade prop. On the plus side if you do go for a feathering three blade you will pick up some speed sailing too.
 
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