What the heck is Westerbeke?

[BothFeet]

I've been combing the "Cats for Sale" ads for years now and am VERY close to just throwing a dart to pick my boat. Today I saw something I liked but the engines are "Westerbeke". I have NEVER seen that before?!?!? Any Westerbeke engine owners out there or even anyone with knowledge to share?

Thanks!
Jumping in with,
BothFeet

[Vasco]

Tons of Westerbekes out there.

[Minggat]

Basically it is Perkins, as I understand.

[BothFeet]

Reliability? Parts availability? Ease to maintain? etc??

[Steadman Uhlich]

When a sailor points his nose to the Westerly wind, he is said to have a "Wester Beak."

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by BothFeet

Reliability? Parts availability? Ease to maintain? etc??

No different from any of the popular diesel makes.

[Roy M]

Especially, the 4-107 models. Parts available around the world. Not light, though, in case that's a critical consideration.

[1affiah]

Depends on the model. Mine is based on a Mitsubishi block.

[BothFeet]

2 x Westerbeke 42HP Total Power: 84 HP
Engine Model: 42B4

On a 38ft cat that should be PLENTY of power!

Owner has EXTENSIVE maintenance logs. Looks pretty routine. I like when people keep detailed records!

[antoha]

they are not all perkins, that may be just one model; most are marinized mitsubishi, from what i understand.

the story is probably as usual with most other marinized engines: the non-marinized parts exist as alternatives at much cheaper prices (using them will generally void engine warranty, but that's only good for a year since new anyway).

compared to yanmars i believe they are heavier and lower revving - and i don't know if either is better or worse.

they do have different overall dimensions - so for example i wouldn't be able to put a comparable hp yanmar or even beta in our boat, those are wider and our space is long and narrow.

just my 2c. i'm not an expert, just an owner of a reasonably newish (but already out of production) 35cthree. they probably all have baby issues - but hopefully the PO would have solved them before you.

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by BothFeet

I've been combing the "Cats for Sale" ads for years now and am VERY close to just throwing a dart to pick my boat. Today I saw something I liked but the engines are "Westerbeke". I have NEVER seen that before?!?!? Any Westerbeke engine owners out there or even anyone with knowledge to share?

Thanks!
Jumping in with,
BothFeet

Have you heard of google? I tried a search on "westerbeke engines" and a ton of material came up, including a complete history of the company at item no. 4.

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by Steady Hand

When a sailor points his nose to the Westerly wind, he is said to have a "Wester Beak."

That is what everyone thinks, but in fact Westerbeke means red in Dutch...

I have had these engines on my current and previous boats. The experience with models I had (21A and 30B3) is that they are pretty reliable and dependable, and I never had to bleed them.... But parts although very available, the costs are exorbitant, so one needs to be creative and smart.

[Waterway Guide]

Most of the Gemini Catamarans (including mine) uses the Westerbeke 30B Three (27HP 3 cyl. Mitsubishi block).

[Hudson Force]

I cruised with a Westerbeke 4-107 for 16 years. Over that time I replaced the heat exchanger and water pump, but it served me well. Before I repowered with my current Yanmar the rear seal was leaking a fair amount of oil. I repowered because I was underpowered with the 4-107 on my 26,000lb ketch. My cruising speed has gone from 5 to 6.5 kts. I did not give up the Westerbeke because it was an unsatisfactory engine,- just not right for my vessel. Keep in mind the HP for the Westerbekes are rated before the transmission and the HP for the Yanmars are after the transmission. My 40hp Westerbeke was likely down to 30hp with powereing my large Paragon transmission. My Yanmar 4JH3E rates 56hp after the Kanzake transmission.

No complaints from me with the Westerbeke, but evaluate your power needs well.

[cabo_sailor]

I am trying to repair a Westerbeke 46.. Finding parts has been difficult. Mine is based on a Mitsubishi. A head gasket for the Mitsubishi is around $55 Westerbeke will sell me one for approx $300. Unfortunately, some of the parts I would like are only available from Westerbeke, and besides the obscene price, I'm told they are no longer available.

While it was running it ran well, no complaints there However, personally, if I had to repower, I would go with either Beta or Yanmar. My W46 is a 1989 model.

Rich