Yamaha 30 - have you done a Beta engine re-power install in the vberth?

[Blue Horizon]

Hello!

I've done a Beta 20 re-power and install on my Yamaha 30 sailboat, replacing the YSM12 vberth model. Have you done that as well? Looking to connect with others that have done that same install.

Cheers!

 

[gouldx]

Hello!

I've done a Beta 20 re-power and install on my Yamaha 30 sailboat, replacing the YSM12 vberth model. Have you done that as well? Looking to connect with others that have done that same install.

Cheers!

I haven't done this, but I'm very curious, if you don't mind, how the installation went and how well you like the replacement. Any difficulties getting the Yanmar out from the v-berth? How's the performance?

Our YSM12 still runs just fine, but I have definitely found myself wishing for more power when fighting current!

 

[jssailem]

Be careful about affecting the CG in your boat. Certainly repowering with a BETA makes sense in the Salish Sea. It will be an expensive project. When I looked at a BETA the project would be more cost then the boat’s value. The re engineering of the boat to fit the BETA design presented an additional cost not expected at the first bid.

 

[Blue Horizon]

There is nothing sensible about owning boats. Which makes them so much fun!

I rebuilt my YSM12 four years ago (yes crouching in the vberth), and it was running just fine, but engine parts are getting harder to find, and I had a five year plan for the boat. And as well, I needed a new prop. May as well replace both now and get the value out of a new engine, and a prop that spins the more typical direction. Buying another boat can be a year of surprises and extra cash, so I went with the devil I know.

I would not have replaced the engine if I was sailing locally and just to the Gulf Islands. The YSM12 would have been fine. But I've been up in the Discovery Islands, and going further next year, northward with less wind, and when going through the tidal passes, speed and reliability are welcome. I sail year round so I will get a lot of use out of it.

Briefly, the Beta 20 engine is lighter than the YSM12 by about 100 lbs. It took about 40 min to pull the YSM12 out (with the head off) through the vberth hatch, and about 20 min to drop the new Beta 20 (which is smaller) in the same way. We used a forklight with a rig at the yard. There are a lot of modification needed to support this swap for my boat. And doing it myself it took longer than I expected. I sold my old engine so that helped a bit.

If you're interested in this you can download the install guide from BetaMarine, and see what is needed.

I like the swap. It has a lot more horsepower, most of which you don't use. In a strong head wind though, it is helpful and welcome to have. And it can cruise at 6 knots for hours if desired, and is quieter and less vibration. But you can cruise at 5.5 knots at a relatively low rpm and is quite enjoyable. I went with a fixed three blade Campbell Sailor prop. There have been 4 Beta swaps this year that I've heard of into Yamaha 30's locally. Two were Beta 16's (2cyl) and two were Beta 20's (3 cyl). I upgraded to a 75amp alternator, and added a hot water tank heated with the engine.

While I know other Yamaha 30's have done the swap I would be grateful if anyone can put me in touch with them.

Thanks all!

 

[jssailem]

You are well along towards your goal of cruising reliability.

I followed a similar path with a different boat. I replaced my prop with a 3 blade Campbell Sailor. New sails. Refitted mast and rigging. Except when I faced the need to address the engine I took the removal and rebuild path.

Now ready to go beyond the Puget Sound and Gulf Islands.

Fair winds

 

[Blue Horizon]

You sound well setup! The upgrades and rebuild I’m sure will give you plenty of confidence going north. Enjoy what there is to discover!

Fair winds!

 

[Satori]

BH, I'm assuming your engine is under the V-berth, and that it's direct drive with the engine oriented facing forward like the Yanmar, correct?
If so, how is access to belts, oil, etc etc? (I really dislike having to lay on top of the engine and work "upside down! ‍) Did you also install a new instrument panel?

 

[Blue Horizon]

Satori, yes I have the vberth model. Orientation is the same as the YSM12. So in some respects access is similar. But the engine runs length-wise as it normal would with a three cylinder. And it’s smaller and narrower with cylinders at the top. So if you are adding oil or doing valves it’s much easier. Probably the most welcome difference is oil checks are on the side and closer to the stern and very easy to do. Belt (there’s only one) is about the same but easier to get tension. The belt is multi-v so you can pull a larger alternator - I did a 70amp but you can go to 120amp.
It does use zincs quicker but that’s at the stern end so very easy to swap. Oil filter a bit awkward in that orientation but I’ve done it twice. Fuel filter very easy as its up top. Impellor haven’t done as yet but the YSM12 I pull the pump off to do it so I think the Beta would be easier not sure.

One nice thing is the old YSM12 engine control cables literally just plug and play and are the perfect length.
The panel if mounted in the cockpit area does require you to run the new harness from engine room back to the cockpit. two options to thread it and both need holes to be made. I purchased a 8m extension and that was the right length with less than a metre to spare. I never explored wiring in to the existing wiring harness as I paid for the extension. lol. The control panel doesn’t fit in the earlier Yamaha model with the outside instrument panel area (at the companion way). Beta Canada will make you a custom sized one and move the glued in panel parts for about $400.

There’s a few other considerations but all addressable. Oh yes, oil changes are very easy.. it has a built in oil pump you pump by hand it really does work well. Done three changes and that’s a pleasure.

My only initial comment for Beta is better wiring. To my eye the wire is not tinned but make inquiries to confirm that fact.

Also on a different note and understandable is Beta started with a Kubota D722 engine and then marinized it so a few times you realize the layout is accommodating the add-ons like the heat exchanger. But that isn’t much of a barrier to general access.

There’s more to the install obviously but hopefully this addresses access and maintenance.

 

[jssailem]

It does use zincs quicker

That is an interesting statment. It leads to the question Why? Zincs are an electrical issue. Sacrificial to address dissimilar metals in an elecrtolytic solution. What has changed from your previous engine? I do not see why the Beta (with it's better wiring) should be any different than what you had before.

 

[Blue Horizon]

My note may not have been clear. I thought the wiring would be better if it was tinned as you expect in marine wire. To my eye the wiring is not tinned, but perhaps I’m wrong, and to verify for oneself.
I don’t know why the zinc did not last as long as my yanmar YSM12. I’ve read online that was the experience of some other Beta owners for certain engines so I checked and changed mine early. It’s related to so many things as you say so it may not be a Beta thing per se. It could be an installation or accessory issue. I don’t know. But they’re cheap and easy to check or change.