Inboard Diesal Installation

[admin]

Has anyone been through the process of installing an inboard diesel in a Mk II or III? If so, can you tell us about it please? What brand and who installed it? What were the costs and extras? Was it successful?

Thanks
Cyril


Hi Cyril,
When I bought Tales I looked at fitting a diesel inboard but decided not to go ahead with the idea for several reasons but mostly cost.
1. New Yanmar around $7000 then add other hardware costs.
2. Loss of space in cabin. If the prop is located between the rudder and the keel, the front of the motor protrudes into the cabin a fair way.
3. Performance. Haven't got any data but if the optional prop location (angled out) is used I feel that motor performance forward and reverse would be compromised. Also perhaps even with a folded prop, sailing performance would be degraded.

Any comments from inboard owners?
Cheers,
Tom

Hello Tom,

Thanks for the feedback on Inboard Diesel Installation. I saw a nice little Kubota 10hp at the Sydney Show, and it would fit quite well in a Top Hat, but they were talking $7,150 just for the engine. Installation would be another 7- 8k which is getting close to the value of the entire boat! As you mention, there are propellor positioning problems which, added to the cost of motor and installation, make the whole project a doubtful investment.

Cheers
Cyril


Cyril
As the owner of a mk II with an inboard 10hp nanni I would have to say it's not worth the changeover. I've owned small boats with inboard and with outboards, and would pick an outboard any day over an inboard for a vessel of this size.
The main reason is repair cost and hassle of both gearbox and motor. If something goes wrong with the outboard, you pull it out of the well and take it to the repair shop. If you have a significant in board engine problem, the big bills start racking up almost immediately. And let's face it - any of us owning top hats are likely to have pretty small boating budgets!
Cheer
Stu Barton
Sea Swan
McCarr's Creek, Pittwater

Stu,

I agree, if you want an inboard its probably cheaper to sell and rebuy a Top Hat with an inboard.

I have a 10hp nanni also, question, do you have an anti syphon fitted to your cooling water intake system and if so where have you fixed the syphon fitting?

Phillip
SEAKA
Camden Haven River