Beta Marine Diesel

michaelmrc · 04-08-2008, 18:59

has anyone had any experience with the beta marine diesel ? am looking at a 28ft sunstar in great shape with a brand new 2 cyl 16 hp beta marine diesel engine. just wonder if anyone has any opinions on this engine or even the sunstar 28ft boat. thanks

GordMay · 05-08-2008, 03:30

Beta Marine, based in England, marinizes Kubota industrial diesel engines. These engines have an excellent reputation.

The Sunstar 28 was a Robert Perry designed performance cruiser, built by Spenser Boatworks of Richmond, BC .
information

“Annie” may be a good value.
1981 Sunstar Sloop Boat For Sale

**Hud3** · 05-08-2008, 03:51

A friend of mine installed one in his Bristol 41.1. He is very happy with it, especially the good access to the various serviceable parts.

S/V Antares · 05-08-2008, 05:23

As Gord mentioned they are Kabota based. Nice looking marinezation. The US operation is in Arapahoe NC. Just a few miles from Oriental or New Bern. I have no idea on pricing but I think the Euro/Pound is hurting their US sales.

Talbot · 05-08-2008, 06:23

If I was re-engineering, a beta would be my choice. Kubota are available all round the world, and their spares are a good price. Furthermore, the Betas are made with mountings designed to work with the mountings fitted for other engine designs.

michaelmrc · 05-08-2008, 06:39

thanks everyone for your help and gordmay "annie" is the one we have been looking at. thanks again

never monday · 05-08-2008, 07:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talbot

If I was re-engineering, a beta would be my choice. Kubota are available all round the world, and their spares are a good price. Furthermore, the Betas are made with mountings designed to work with the mountings fitted for other engine designs.

The problem with this thought is. It's not the Kubota parts that fail. It's the custom marinization parts. Any engine can be put into any boat.

OP,
The Beta will last as long as any other well known marine engine. They do have a smaller dealer network for specialized service and parts availability.

S/V Antares · 05-08-2008, 08:43

"If I was re-engineering, a beta would be my choice. Kubota are available all round the world, and their spares are a good price. Furthermore, the Betas are made with mountings designed to work with the mountings fitted for other engine designs." Talbot

Talbot, Beta's famous claim is to have a direct replacement for the venerable Atomic 4 gas engine. While this is basicly true it does require some modification. The mounts on the Atomic 4 are on 11.5 in centers (292mm)and many including myself feel this is too narrow a footprint for a diesel given the torque. One will also need to clearence around the bellhousing as the the flywheel on the Atomic 4 is on the front allowing the narrow mounting.

Talbot · 05-08-2008, 08:58

I have never even seen an atomic 4!

I was thinking a more conventional diesel for diesel upgrade such as volvo or yanmah

S/V Antares · 05-08-2008, 09:12

Talbot, Medalist Marine made over 40,000 of the 4 cyl gas engines and many are still running.

Many diesels have very similar footprints. I would bet Beta would work with you to get close if you have one of the older production marine diesels like Perkins, Westerbeke or Volvo. Mounts are important but there is little plug and play in the replacement engine biz.

Talbot · 05-08-2008, 10:16

You seem to have misunderstood.

In my first post on this thread, I stated that "if I was going to be replacing. . . . ."

Furthermore my profile shows that I have no boat at the moment!

Han · 05-08-2008, 12:04

We've just recently re-powered with a Beta 28 mainly because of their custom feet option which let us avoid modifying our engine bed. They'll make these custom feet for any engine stringer arrangement, not just the atomic four configuration. We emailed all our questions directly to Beta in England and they were very prompt and helpful with their replies.

jack311 · 25-02-2010, 01:02

I'm looking to replace my atomic 4 with one of those beta engines but i can not find prices anywhere to see if it would be worth it. i have a newport 27 and live in portland, OR. anyone have a ballpark price?

tex105 · 26-02-2010, 07:50

My 13.5 hp was $6000. in 05

newt · 26-02-2010, 09:59

Jack, there is a Beta marine dealership up here on the Puget sound. I would call them and ask. They would probably come down and install it for you.

04-08-2008, 18:59	#1
michaelmrc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver Island Boat: 27ft catalina Posts: 198	Beta Marine Diesel has anyone had any experience with the beta marine diesel ? am looking at a 28ft sunstar in great shape with a brand new 2 cyl 16 hp beta marine diesel engine. just wonder if anyone has any opinions on this engine or even the sunstar 28ft boat. thanks

05-08-2008, 03:30	#2
GordMay CF Adviser Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W Boat: C.L.O.D. (Cruiser Living On Dirt) Posts: 13,558 Images: 233	Beta Marine, based in England, marinizes Kubota industrial diesel engines. These engines have an excellent reputation. The Sunstar 28 was a Robert Perry designed performance cruiser, built by Spenser Boatworks of Richmond, BC . information “Annie” may be a good value. 1981 Sunstar Sloop Boat For Sale __________________ Gord May ~~_/)_~~ (Gord & Maggie - s/v"Southbound") "If you didn't have time/$ to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?" Custom Search CF ➥ http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=01...%3A2lb6ozabif0

05-08-2008, 03:51	#3
Hud3 Moderator Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Nevis, West Indies Boat: Island Packet 380, The Belle of Virginia (now sold) Posts: 5,121 Images: 17	A friend of mine installed one in his Bristol 41.1. He is very happy with it, especially the good access to the various serviceable parts. __________________ Hud Nevis, West Indies Click to Search Cruisers Forum Archives

05-08-2008, 05:23	#4
S/V Antares Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Annapolis USA Boat: 1983 Gulfstar 36 Antares Posts: 543	As Gord mentioned they are Kabota based. Nice looking marinezation. The US operation is in Arapahoe NC. Just a few miles from Oriental or New Bern. I have no idea on pricing but I think the Euro/Pound is hurting their US sales. __________________ Will & Muffin Lucy the dog "Yes, well.. perhaps some more wine" (Julia Child)

05-08-2008, 06:23	#5
Talbot Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Stavanger, Norway Boat: Last boat was a Catalac 9m Hi-Jude Posts: 2,988 Images: 23	If I was re-engineering, a beta would be my choice. Kubota are available all round the world, and their spares are a good price. Furthermore, the Betas are made with mountings designed to work with the mountings fitted for other engine designs. __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors - and miss." Robert A Heinlein

05-08-2008, 06:39	#6
michaelmrc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver Island Boat: 27ft catalina Posts: 198	thanks everyone for your help and gordmay "annie" is the one we have been looking at. thanks again

05-08-2008, 08:43	#8
S/V Antares Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Annapolis USA Boat: 1983 Gulfstar 36 Antares Posts: 543	Beta "If I was re-engineering, a beta would be my choice. Kubota are available all round the world, and their spares are a good price. Furthermore, the Betas are made with mountings designed to work with the mountings fitted for other engine designs." Talbot Talbot, Beta's famous claim is to have a direct replacement for the venerable Atomic 4 gas engine. While this is basicly true it does require some modification. The mounts on the Atomic 4 are on 11.5 in centers (292mm)and many including myself feel this is too narrow a footprint for a diesel given the torque. One will also need to clearence around the bellhousing as the the flywheel on the Atomic 4 is on the front allowing the narrow mounting. __________________ Will & Muffin Lucy the dog "Yes, well.. perhaps some more wine" (Julia Child)

05-08-2008, 08:58	#9
Talbot Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Stavanger, Norway Boat: Last boat was a Catalac 9m Hi-Jude Posts: 2,988 Images: 23	I have never even seen an atomic 4! I was thinking a more conventional diesel for diesel upgrade such as volvo or yanmah __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors - and miss." Robert A Heinlein

05-08-2008, 09:12	#10
S/V Antares Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Annapolis USA Boat: 1983 Gulfstar 36 Antares Posts: 543	Talbot, Medalist Marine made over 40,000 of the 4 cyl gas engines and many are still running. Many diesels have very similar footprints. I would bet Beta would work with you to get close if you have one of the older production marine diesels like Perkins, Westerbeke or Volvo. Mounts are important but there is little plug and play in the replacement engine biz. __________________ Will & Muffin Lucy the dog "Yes, well.. perhaps some more wine" (Julia Child)

05-08-2008, 10:16	#11
Talbot Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Stavanger, Norway Boat: Last boat was a Catalac 9m Hi-Jude Posts: 2,988 Images: 23	You seem to have misunderstood. In my first post on this thread, I stated that "if I was going to be replacing. . . . ." Furthermore my profile shows that I have no boat at the moment! __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors - and miss." Robert A Heinlein

05-08-2008, 12:04	#12
Han Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Vancouver BC Boat: Pacific Seacraft Mariah 31 Posts: 33	We've just recently re-powered with a Beta 28 mainly because of their custom feet option which let us avoid modifying our engine bed. They'll make these custom feet for any engine stringer arrangement, not just the atomic four configuration. We emailed all our questions directly to Beta in England and they were very prompt and helpful with their replies.

25-02-2010, 01:02	#13
jack311 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Vancouver, WA Boat: Newport, 27ft Posts: 1	Beta engines I'm looking to replace my atomic 4 with one of those beta engines but i can not find prices anywhere to see if it would be worth it. i have a newport 27 and live in portland, OR. anyone have a ballpark price?

26-02-2010, 07:50	#14
tex105 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: scooba ms Boat: Privateer 26 (PETREL) Posts: 9	My 13.5 hp was $6000. in 05

26-02-2010, 09:59	#15
newt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Layton, Utah Boat: Valiant 40, Compac 23 Posts: 529	Jack, there is a Beta marine dealership up here on the Puget sound. I would call them and ask. They would probably come down and install it for you. __________________ He who is contented with what he has is already rich.

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