Should I Pull Engine with the Boat Afloat or On the Hard ?

[Jollymon352]

My boat is a 1999 Beneteau Oceanis 352. I am going to pull the engine (Yanmar 3GM30F) to change to rear main seal. I am planning to pull the engine while afloat.

Am I setting myself up for a disaster?

[Sailmonkey]

I've changed out at least 30 small sailboat engines while in the water. About ten of those without a crane, just the mainsheet and boom. No biggie. Hell, if you're feeling brave you can even install a mushroom thruhull fitting while in the water.

[Vasco]

Not a problem, pulled a Volvo 2003 and 3GM30F while in the water.

[noelex 77]

2 way of removing the engine
With a small crane. Easy, safe secure, but can the crane get access to your berth?
With the boom and main halyard scary, but it does work.
Had a friend that did an engine replacement while at anchor. He transported the new motor in his dinghy planning to use the boom to lift it aboard. He cut some of the packaging off the new motor while it was in the dingy, unfortunately he pierced the inflatable with the knife.
The dingy was sinking while he frantically tried to get the new motor aboard.
It was OK in the end.
Moral if you can do it at anchor it should be no problem in a marina.
I replaced my main engine in the water (crane out halyard in) with no problems, but my nails were a bit shorter for a while
.

[capngeo]

I've done several in the water. Only hassle was from the boat to the dock and back.... some 2x12's come in real handy there! If you are going to do the seal in the boat, I'd say No problem at all!

[Jollymon352]

I have an engineering and rigging background. I thought that it would be ok, but waken during the night thinking about it.

Thanks for the positive responses.

[boden36]

We changed a Volvo MD17C for a Yanmar 3JH by using the crane on our mooring contractor's barge. At the same time he delivered the new engine, he took the old one away. No drama.
Regards, Richard.

[never monday]

pull the engine to change a rear main

no way.

[easterly38]

Its really not as bad as you might think. I had absolutely no experience in pulling an engine when I did it last year to rebuild the logs. With the advice from this site and a little more internet research, I did it with minimal tools and without any problems. The most specialized tools we used were a come-along (SP?) and a motorcycle jack. Worked like a charm. Just use common sense, go slow and think about safety. (Which I'm sure you don't need to be reminded of that.) Most importantly, we got it back in, too!
BTW, our engine is also a 30 Yanmar.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by never monday

pull the engine to change a rear main

no way.

I wouldn't pull the engine either on a Bene 352 for a main seal. I would on mine though.......I can touch the back of the engine, or I can see it......just not both.

[witzgall]

Originally Posted by easterly38

Its really not as bad as you might think. I had absolutely no experience in pulling an engine when I did it last year to rebuild the logs. With the advice from this site and a little more internet research, I did it with minimal tools and without any problems. The most specialized tools we used were a come-along (SP?) and a motorcycle jack. Worked like a charm. Just use common sense, go slow and think about safety. (Which I'm sure you don't need to be reminded of that.) Most importantly, we got it back in, too!
BTW, our engine is also a 30 Yanmar.

Do you mean a motorcycle lift? How did you use that?

Chris

[easterly38]

Originally Posted by witzgall

Do you mean a motorcycle lift? How did you use that?

Chris

Yes, a lift. We set the engine on it (and ratchet strapped it for security) and used the lift to roll the engine out of the way. We also built a false, reinforced floor with 2x4's and plywood over the cabin sole as a precaution due to the weight. (There was no need to take the engine off the boat to rebuild the logs.)

I don't think I would use the lift in an area with waves for fear of the engine possibly falling over, but our marina is extremely protected. It probably would not happen, but I really prefer to err on the side of caution.

[Tropic Cat]

I've done it twice with a $15.00 come-along bought at Ace Hardware attached to my boom. My time record is out of the hull and on my cockpit floor in 60 minutes flat.

I thought it was fun.

[imagine2frolic]

I attatched my halyard to strap wrapped around the boom. The boom was only a guide, and the halyard did the work. With a block off the boat attatched to the strap I lifted the engine. One person in front of the engine to guide it out, and later back in. The other to grunt it out of the hole. As mentioned going slowly is the key to safety.......i2f

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by never monday

pull the engine to change a rear main

no way.

Like he says! All you have to do is get the motor high enough to get the oil pan off, change the seal, install new gaskets and put it back in place.

But with the pan off I'd install a new oil pump while I'm at it just for GP, depending on the hours.

If the motor were really dirty then I'd pull it to get it all cleaned up and perdy again.