Beta 38 or Yanmar 3JH5E

[boden36]

If your current motor runs well, starts easily from cold, and sounds OK, I think you could find better uses for your money than replacing it.
Maybe if you are uncertain, have a good mehanic check it out thorougly and get an oil analysis done. If that all is OK, my advice would be to keep it.

Regards,
Richard.

[P365Sailor]

Repowered my Pearson 365 about four years ago...replacing the old Westerbeke 4-107 with a Beta 38. All the research I did suggested that was the way to go vs other options. I will never regret that decision. Engine is smooth and has a remarkable amount of torque (other sailors at my marina are amazed at my ability to prop walk/pivot the boat...instant power, instant response). Easy to maintain, vibration free...everything positive I ever heard about the thing has proven to be true. Clearly exceeded expectations and something I consider a good investment.

[Agape39]

Originally Posted by P365Sailor

Repowered my Pearson 365 about four years ago...replacing the old Westerbeke 4-107 with a Beta 38. All the research I did suggested that was the way to go vs other options. I will never regret that decision. Engine is smooth and has a remarkable amount of torque (other sailors at my marina are amazed at my ability to prop walk/pivot the boat...instant power, instant response). Easy to maintain, vibration free...everything positive I ever heard about the thing has proven to be true. Clearly exceeded expectations and something I consider a good investment.

What is the gross wht of your boat?

[banjoship]

I recently repowered with a Kubota V3300 68hp marinised by WM Diesel here in Australia. That engine is also marinised by Beta and Nanni. At the time Beta and Nanni were $10-12000 more than WM. WM specialise in marinising a range of Kubota engines, same as Beta and Nanni, so you may want to check them out, pricewise. Possibly freight, duty and VAT will rule them out. Remember to get a Quote free of Australian GST.

I am very happy with my engine, both with the base Kubota, and the very neat marinisation. I found the principal of WM, John Witchard, excellent to deal with....to the extent that he rang up several times to see how installation was going.

The Kubota has a lot of nice features. For example, bleeding the fuel system is a finger tip operation with no fuel spill...the purged fuel goes into the fuel return line. Performance is excellent. Parts from tractor shops or ebay.

I am not knocking Yanmar..some of my mates have them and they run well. My auxiliary is a Yanmar, 30 years old, and going strong. As other posters have noted...its the parts.

Lee

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by banjoship

I recently repowered with a Kubota V3300 68hp marinised by WM Diesel here in Australia. That engine is also marinised by Beta and Nanni. At the time Beta and Nanni were $10-12000 more than WM. WM specialise in marinising a range of Kubota engines, same as Beta and Nanni, so you may want to check them out, pricewise. Possibly freight, duty and VAT will rule them out. Remember to get a Quote free of Australian GST.



Lee

G'Day Banjo,

Really? 10,000 cheaper than either Beta or Nanni... that's a huge difference, and would be a great deal! Could you please check that number again, for it seems too good to be true?

I'm really happy with our now 22 year old Nanni 43, and would certainly recommend a marinized Kubota.

Cheers,

Jim

[banjoship]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

G'Day Banjo,

Really? 10,000 cheaper than either Beta or Nanni... that's a huge difference, and would be a great deal! Could you please check that number again, for it seems too good to be true?

I'm really happy with our now 22 year old Nanni 43, and would certainly recommend a marinized Kubota.

Cheers,

Jim

Yep, just gone back to the invoice to check. The base engine from WM was $14,000 , the same base engines from Beta and Nanni were quoted at $24,000 and $26,000, respectively. This was in 2009 when the Australian dollar had collapsed. Both Beta and Nanni (Australia) were quoting their engines in accordance with the then exchange rate. WM source their engines from Kubota (Australia) in Melbourne, and apparently Kubota kept their prices constant through the exchange rate turmoil...apparently they carry a huge stock of engines in Melbourne.

I don't know Beta and Nanni prices in Europe, but here in Australia WM are still much cheaper, but not so much as in 2009.

The final all up cost of my engine, including custom made mounts, flexible coupling, freight, etc was $17,500. To the OP I will say that the engine was delivered securely mounted to a pallet, heavily shrinkwrapped. No shortcuts. To anyone else who might be tuned into this thread, WM have exported to various countries, including china, would you believe.

Lee

[banjoship]

As an aside, the V3300 that I bought is rated by WM at 68hp, while Beta and Nanni rate it at 75hp. Kubota rate the engine at 68hp continious, 75 intermittent.

Lee

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by banjoship

As an aside, the V3300 that I bought is rated by WM at 68hp, while Beta and Nanni rate it at 75hp. Kubota rate the engine at 68hp continious, 75 intermittent.

Lee

G'Day Lee,

Thanks for that! The exchange rate magic explains some of the differential, but if I should need to replace our engine (touch wood, NOT) I'd surely give them a hoy. I think that the chaps at Diecon also do Kubotas, so there is some Aussie competition.

Anyhow, I sure like buying boat parts at the tractor store!

Cheers,

Jim

[Sailingmartin]

Thanks to you all for the advice. We are veering towards the Beta, rather than the Yanmar. So far, I have read very little other than positives about this engine, even though it might actually cost slightly more in the US, due to exchange rate changes. Hopefully, it will be up and running by Christmas.

[P365Sailor]

P365 weight 17,700...with fuel and water, etc., well over 18,000. Back when I repowered (going on 4 years back), the Beta was a few thousand more than other options (Yanmar, Westerbeke, Perkins...checked them all), but given everything I had read and heard, decided to go ahead and go with the Beta anyway. I definitely do not regret that decision. Yes, even then they (Beta) provided engine mounts specially made for my boat. Cool...

[s/v Beth]

Had a beta 38 for two years now. Would not go back.

[Bambolera]

I received a quote from Beta Marine today for their 38hp diesel. About the same as my quote from Yanmar for their 3JH5. The new Beta now runs at 3800 rpm, rather than 3000 rpm. Still based on the Kubota V1505 motor.

[downunder]

Originally Posted by banjoship

Yep, just gone back to the invoice to check. The base engine from WM was $14,000 , the same base engines from Beta and Nanni were quoted at $24,000 and $26,000, respectively. This was in 2009 when the Australian dollar had collapsed. Both Beta and Nanni (Australia) were quoting their engines in accordance with the then exchange rate. WM source their engines from Kubota (Australia) in Melbourne, and apparently Kubota kept their prices constant through the exchange rate turmoil...apparently they carry a huge stock of engines in Melbourne.

I don't know Beta and Nanni prices in Europe, but here in Australia WM are still much cheaper, but not so much as in 2009.

The final all up cost of my engine, including custom made mounts, flexible coupling, freight, etc was $17,500. To the OP I will say that the engine was delivered securely mounted to a pallet, heavily shrinkwrapped. No shortcuts. To anyone else who might be tuned into this thread, WM have exported to various countries, including china, would you believe.

Lee

Try pricing the Beta today, may be different suppliers. I priced a Beta 50/60 today from Australian Beta agents and it was $13,500/$15,500 respectivelly much cheaper than a Yanmar.

[Sailingmartin]

I'm the original poster on this topic and just to update

[Sailingmartin]

Originally Posted by Sailingmartin

I'm the original poster on this topic and just to update

Sorry pushed the wrong button. Anyway the latest is that the Beta 38 is in the boat and should be back in the water on Monday. Will let you know how it goes. We also have new rigging and other bits and pieces and looking forward to going sailing soon off to the Bahamas!