Yanmar YSE 8/12 Information Request

[Wotname]

I am seeking feedback from everyone who has owned a Yanmar YSE 8 or 12.

What did you like about them and what did you hate?
What are their strong points and their weak points?
Do you consider them better or worse than the later GM series?

I have the opportunity (for very low $) to get either a YSE 8 or 12 as a rebuild / overhaul / restoration project and then perhaps fitting it into a 18' "Gentlemen's Launch".

I am trying to decide if these engines are worth the time and effort to restore or if I should look further afield for a later series engine like a 1GM or 1GM10 or Bukh DV10 or similar (and still spending the same amount of time and effort but probably more $). So far internet searches suggest some people love them and some hate them but I know that I can get the good goss on CF .

[Wotname]

OK, what's going on here, 80+ views and no comments...

Surely someone has had a YSE 8 or has worked on them; who wants to be first

I neeeeeeed you thoughts...

[South Bound]

Our boat has a YSM 8, which I think is similar, about 1982 model. It's raw water cooled but our boat has lived in brackish water all her life (the Baltic). They are very common in small sailboats around here and seem to go on forever. Our engine has gone through some minor renovation and we try to take good care of it, doesn't seem to have anything wrong with it. Fires up easily and runs nicely. That's all the info I can provide as I have no experience of more modern engines.

[Spirit28]

Had a YSE 8 in a little 26 footer we had 15 years ago. Being a single cylinder it rattled around a bit. It came fitted with a small fuel tank on top of the engine and had to be topped up every few hours which was a pain to do underway.

Only issue we has was a blown head gasket that also blew a water channel in the head. Mechanic fixed it up with devcon and it is still going all these years later.

Pretty simple motor and if it has been well looked after should give you trouble fee motoring

[Wotname]

South Bound and Spirit28; thanks for the feedback, very much appreciated for starting the ball rolling

[Halifax Sailor]

I have a ysb 8, 1978 in a Mirage 27. It is a single lunger, rattles quite a bit, uses .6 litres an hour. I change the oil, .9 litre about 3 times a season. Has a 10 gallon fuel tank that i fill about every 2 years. will push my boat at 6 knots calm, about 5.5 into a head wind with waves. Has never failed to start, has a hand crank that i practice with, yes you can start with a hand crank. for my small boat it's all i need.