replace engine on older Little Harbor 44

[PAlter]

Has anyone been involved in changing an engine on a little harbor 44? These are nice boats but it seems like the entire center galley cabinetry would need to be removed to get to the engine. There is also a generator mounted forward of the engine so it appears to be a monumental job. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

[LittleWing77]

Oh wow.

And Little Harbours have such beautifully kitted-out interiors...!

Different boat, but Odd Life Crafting has been replacing their engine recently, so you might find their recent episodes of interest/assistance:

Odd Life Crafting
https://youtu.be/W9I8Bi916wM

Good luck!
LittleWing77

[skipmac]

This I believe is a center cockpit?

When I purchased my center cockpit 42' Pearson the PO told me about a proposal he got from a former Pearson manager who started a business to upgrade and repair Pearsons after the company stopped production. He offered to upgrade the boat, fix several problems that had been identified over the years and install a new engine to make the boat better than new.

Instead of pulling the engine out through the cabin and up the companionway he cut out the floor of the cockpit and lifted the engine straight up, avoiding damage or deconstruction in the interior. Fairly simple matter to glass the floor back in or to install hatches that would allow ongoing access from overhead.

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by skipmac

This I believe is a center cockpit?

When I purchased my center cockpit 42' Pearson the PO told me about a proposal he got from a former Pearson manager who started a business to upgrade and repair Pearsons after the company stopped production. He offered to upgrade the boat, fix several problems that had been identified over the years and install a new engine to make the boat better than new.

Instead of pulling the engine out through the cabin and up the companionway he cut out the floor of the cockpit and lifted the engine straight up, avoiding damage or deconstruction in the interior. Fairly simple matter to glass the floor back in or to install hatches that would allow ongoing access from overhead.

Now that is an elegant solution, Skipmac!

LittleWing77

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by LittleWing77

Now that is an elegant solution, Skipmac!

LittleWing77

Agree. Have done similar before but didn't even have to cut out the cockpit.

My last boat was a center cockpit built in Finland. The cockpit floor came from the factory as a removable cover so engine access was great. Take up the floor and you had standing headroom, light and fresh air and access all around the engine. Had to pull the engine for a repair and it was a piece of cake.

[PAlter]

Originally Posted by skipmac

This I believe is a center cockpit?

When I purchased my center cockpit 42' Pearson the PO told me about a proposal he got from a former Pearson manager who started a business to upgrade and repair Pearsons after the company stopped production. He offered to upgrade the boat, fix several problems that had been identified over the years and install a new engine to make the boat better than new.

Instead of pulling the engine out through the cabin and up the companionway he cut out the floor of the cockpit and lifted the engine straight up, avoiding damage or deconstruction in the interior. Fairly simple matter to glass the floor back in or to install hatches that would allow ongoing access from overhead.

Thank you for that story. Great idea and yes - the Little Harbors have beautiful interior woodwork.
Best wishes and fair winds.