Used Westerbeke 30B

[mhberinger]

Hi Everyone,

I recently purchased a used Beneteau 361 which came with a Westerbeke 30B that had 1,800 hours on it. I decided to replace the engine with a new Yanmar because of warranty, and better availability of spare parts.

I am planning on selling the old engine, but need some advice on how much to invest in it prior to marketing it. The old engine ran fine but needs work on the heat exchanger, as well as the raw water pump. Should I sell it as is at a lower price, or would it be better to invest in servicing the heat exchanger and raw water pump seal before putting it on the market? My mechanic said it should bring anywhere from $3k to $5k. I would be happy to get $2k for it just to get it out of my hair.

Any advice?

Thanks,

Martin

 

[BigEasy]

Martin,
I would follow the advice from your mechanic. I would think that someone who needs that engine should be happy to get one with low hours in that price range. Ask $5000; you know that a prospective buyer will likely want to negotiate to a lower price. Get an estimate from your mechanic for the repairs and that should give you an idea of any price reduction during negotiating a sale price.

 

[smokey73]

What gives you indication that the heat exchanger need "servicing" other than replacing a zinc or two (if it has one)? How will you "warrant" that the "engine runs fine" to a prospective buyer who asks that question? Do you have video of it running before you took (or take) it out? These are all questions that a prospective buyer might have in the back of his/her mind. When you start talking $5K for a piece of equipment plus the labor to put it in (and take it out if its not working) there are some assurances that would help boost the asking price. Anything you can do to provide those assurances is probably money in your pocket. Otherwise its just your word (and possibly your mechanics). The buyer will be taking a risk.

 

[TomY]

I think your mechanic is unrealistic at 5K for a used, unknown engine. Your figure, 2K with some history and your assurance the engine starts, runs well, is more in line.

If the repairs are easy and not expensive, a ready to 'drop in' would be worth more than one that needs work.

The price of a used engine is mostly based on it's known history. If you have all the service records for instance, they will make the engine more valuable. Without them, the engines state is all faith.

 

[Tally Ho]

Maybe you can sell it to the mechanic or an engine shop. Since you are not trying to get top dollar for it, they may take it off your hands “as is” for a reasonable price. They may be in a better position to sell it.

Greg

 

[mhberinger]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it.

Service records from the previous owner are lacking, and the only assurance I can give is based on the fact that the engine ran fine while I motored the boat from its old slip to its new home (5-hour trip). Before selling it, I would have the engine fully serviced and would take a video of it running, as well as photos.

The only reason for pulling the engine was that all motor mounts needed to be replaced. The heat exchanger was leaking, and some corrosion was obvious. Apparently, the previous owner was not very good about replacing the zinc.

I will need to do some research on the value of the transmission. According to the mechanic, that alone is worth a nice chunk of change.

I would agree that a mechanic or engine shop would be in a better position to sell the engine. And they may make some nice margin on it.

Cheers,

Martin

 

[Peter's]

I would list it on eBay if you are looking for a good three cylinder yanmar with transmission I have a 2006 with less than hundred hours

 

[Slipstream88]

Hello MH. Do you still have that Westerbeke 30B? Im looking for one to rebuild for my 1975 Pearson 35. Thank you tstone44@gmail.com