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simonmd · 11-09-2012, 05:24

Am helping a friend of mine secure a new cat' and looks like he's going for a new 400 S2. I've reccomended him to stay with the standard Yanmar engines as i've heard too many bad things about the Volvos but stay with the standard 29bhp or upgrade to 40bhp?

Be interested to hear from any 400 owners and their opinion of their own engine choice (Volvo or Yanmar), does it need the extra power, it's just over 2k to do it but is it a false ecconomy not to?

meirriba · 12-09-2012, 03:27

I can't compare engines as I have only one type and did not experienced anything else.
What I can report is that the Yanmar engines on our Lagoon400 work excellently. Never had a tiniest problem during the 18 months of use and they look and work as new.
I do have the 40hp version and they feel right for the boat, not overpowered. The 29hp may be fine, but as said above, I do not have the experience of using them.
So, with the caveats stated above, I would venture to say that the 40hp Yanmars are good choice.

Lucky Larry · 12-09-2012, 13:45

We had the 40hp engines on our 400 and I would not have wanted the 29hp ones.

**Cotemar** · 12-09-2012, 14:21

simonmd,

Go with the 40hp. That will allow your friend to motor using only one engine.
With 20hp he will always have to use both engines.

As far as Yanmar (grey) and Volvo (green) engines are concerned.
Do not believe everything you think.
I have had both engines and the only difference between them is the color (grey) and (green)

simonmd · 12-09-2012, 18:08

Many thanks for your insights so far, looks like the 29hp option is indeed a false ecconomy, i'll advise him to go for a pair of 40's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cotemar

I have had both engines and the only difference between them is the color (grey) and (green)

Not entirely true, grey ones are £2500 less than green ones.

**Cotemar** · 12-09-2012, 18:27

Yes the 29hp grey ones are £2500 less than the 40hp green ones.
Worth every penny.
Ask your friend if he wants a Ford Pinto or a Ford Mustang

**colemj** · 12-09-2012, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonmd

Not entirely true, grey ones are £2500 less than green ones.

Is that correct - a 40hp Yanmar is £2500 less than a 40hp Volvo? That is quite a difference, and more than I expected.

Definitely get the 40hp engine over the 30hp.

If he goes with the Yanmar, he will get the SD50 saildrives, which have notorious problems with their clutches, shaft bearings and after sales support. Not to mention the saildrive service intervals are more frequent and their main boot replacement schedule is almost impossible to meet with a cruising boat. I would go with the Volvo just to get the much better and rugged saildrive. Even if it meant spending £5000 more to get it - he will make up that difference in maintenance and headaches.

Mark

yeloya · 13-09-2012, 00:28

30 HP on 40 ft catamaran is the lower limit with fixed props. If folding props are considered, then 40 HP is the way to go.
We have had hundred of engines in our charter fleet and didn't see anything to suggest that one is better than the other. With Yanmar we have had some transmission issues on monohulls and with Volvo on 55 HP saildrive on Salina. Both engines are OK if properly maintained.
Cheers
Yeloya

dgabier1 · 13-09-2012, 18:07

I now own Lucky Larry's 400 and agree the 40's are worth it. In July there were a couple of instances when we were driving into 20+ knot headwinds, 4-6 foot seas and barely moving with the 40 hp Yanmars working hard.

peterp · 20-09-2012, 04:00

I am very happy with my choice of 40 HP Yanmar's. One point not mentioned is resale value, more attractive with the 40 HP fitted in my view. Regards Peter

**Cotemar** · 20-09-2012, 05:00

I was in 28 knot head winds last weekend and still acheived 5 knots over ground with only one engine running. I should have snapped a picture of it. I was very impressed.
We have the VP 30hp with 3 blade folding props.

Thumbs Up · 20-09-2012, 11:54

I have the 30 hp Volvo's which do fine (40 footer) but the real question here is what is the difference in weight? Also there are saildrives available now to fit Yanmars, Volvos, Betas, I think they are made by Hurth, so you might want to check into that. But the weight issue could be a big deal, The engines in saildrive cats are always pretty far aft and weight aft makes a huge difference in the motion of the boat (pitching) as well as sailing performance. (you want your transoms above the waterline). Unless you want to motor most of the time you should rethink this.

**colemj** · 20-09-2012, 14:16

The OP's friend is ordering a new boat, so he only has certain options - all of them engines with saildrives.

One would not want to put a different saildrive on a new engine in a new build - warrantee issues would be a nightmare.

The boat under consideration is designed for engines far aft - in fact, his particular model has the engines as aft as possible. Yes, this is not good, but the boat hulls are designed with that in mind.

Mark