Which Engine for a "Pocket Cruiser"?

[Seerauber]

I am looking at re-engining my pocket cruiser SEERAUBER ( a Roberts Tom Thumb 24). She displaces 3590 kgs (7900 lb), is steel construction and I was looking at something 12-16hp?

Comments please

[djmarchand]

The Beta Marine engine which is based on the Kubota block is very nice. You also might find a used Yanmar 2GM or go with a new 2YM.

David

[Hudson Force]

I had a couple of suggestions that came to mind when I saw the thread title, but I see djmarchand already posted both! Kubota & Yanmar

[barnakiel]

Check out Vetus, they start out at 10 hp. Then you have Nanni too. There are small VPs and Yanmars too, I would pick VP over Yan, but either of these can be more pricey than Beta/Kubota/Vetus/Nanni/etc..

Vetus is (I think) marinised Mitsubishi. I had a good long look at them and they may be fine engines. Then we met a local fishing boat with Vetus 16 h.p. and they said 3 years into service the engine ticked faultlessly.

BTW For a fraction you can marinise a s/h car engine, but it will be probably way to powerful for a small boat.

Cheers,
b.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

6 h.p. and they said 3 years into service the engine ticked faultlessly.

BTW For a fraction you can marinise a s/h car engine, but it will be probably way to powerful for a small boat.

Cheers,
b.

Hmm. The 40 HP Smart car diesels, properly adapted with fresh-water cooling and a heat exchanger, and mated to a Variprop feathering four-blade prop, and encumbered with two 90 amp alternators on a bolt-on double PTO...sounds pretty good to me!

That steel pocket cruiser would still be overpowered in some senses, but would be extremely livable and able to motor into gales and maneuver like a charm thanks to loads of torquey prop action, which would politely feather away under sail.

But yes, the path of least resistance is the circa 15 HP Beta Marine Kubotas, which have as a benefit all the "consumables" at the front of their blocks.

With a steel cruiser, you might want to look at their smallest canal boat engines as well.