Hi, Mike...
I repowered with a 71C 3 years ago and then sailed to
Europe; I've been very pleased with the
engine which, due mostly to canals, now has 1,000 hrs on it & has had zero problems. The newer models have been thoughtfully upgraded (e.g. self-bleeding
fuel systems) and you can order double pulleys for belted auxiliaries. The
parts are frightfully expensive but I find my local dealer and mechanics are well versed in sourcing
parts from the original manufacturers (e.g. Sherwood for
water pump">raw
water pump parts). Before deciding on an engine, I got a lot of help on specifics from the distributor (Mack Boring in
Miami; quite helpful) and also by using the Westerbeke on-line technical support
service.
The hp ratings on these engines - and probably others - are influenced by the EPA emissions standards they must now meet. My 71C is the same
displacement and a very similar block design from the same mfgr. as their earlier W58. To meet the the EPA standard, they worked with Mazda to rate the max
rpm higher (3600 vs. 3000) and the higher hp rating is a byproduct. Consequently, while it might seem that these engines are more powerful than you need, in a practical sense they probably are not. E.g. I would not want to live with the
noise or
fuel burn rate of my engine at 3000
rpm, let alone higher. (Diesel in
Europe BTW is $5/US gal almost everywhere). When choosing the engine, I instead looked at the shaft hp I needed & the fuel burn rate I could live with, and it turned out to be the engine I was interested in with the geometry that fit my engine
bed.
Jack
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