Never got an answer..so I bought it :)

[Prflyer1]

I never got an answer from the thread Beneteau 30, so I went an bought the boat "no news is good news" Its a First ES, fractioanl rig, never seen one in the Internet, but have found some info on it, it has a Volvo Penta 30hp engine ( ) huge for the boat with a folding prop. Does any one have any experience with the Volvo 30hp? its a 2003 model? I have heard they are a little expensive to repair, I need to change the engine mounts, as it vibrates a little, and the mechanic said it was the mounts. I will use this boat to race in Regattas and will use the First 38 to cruise


Kind regards,

Danny

[Sunspot Baby]

I have two Volvo 2003's. Volvo is very proud of their part$.

Other than that, they have been reasonbly trouble free after I ditched the throught the sail drive cooling and put in a through hull and proper sea strainer for each.

George

[Weyalan]

Are you talking about 2003 as the year of the model, or as the design mumber? I have a mid 1990's vintage volvo 29 horse 2003 model in my boat and it has not, to date, given me any trouble (although I have only had the boat a little under 2 years).

[Sunspot Baby]

Well I am talking about a model #2003, not the year of manufacture. Prflyer may be talking year. My boat is a '94 so assume engine year about the same.

George

[Prflyer1]

Its both the model and the year apologies for not posting correctly, its a big engine for the First 30es! , although it has a foldable prop. I belive if it had a 3 blade, the speed would improve, but it wil be used for regattas so the foldable is ok.

Danny

[Weyalan]

I have certainly had no problem with my old 2003. It is fair to say that Volvo spare parts are very expensive, but the engines are, I'm told, pretty reliable (don't worry about their "green death" nickname).

It does seem like an awful lot of engine engine for a 30' boat that will be primarily for racing. I would have thought a smaller engine would have made more sense...