BLUEMOMENT

Read Nick's article again on his success in installing new engine and reached a decision. No, I'm not going to rebuild the old 1GM. Next decision is what to replace with. Well, I'm fed up with tinkering and want to go sailing so might drop in a 1GM10 for minimum fuss but thought I'd ask for other's views. Also will put old engine up for offers here - bit unlikely that anyone will be close enough but who knows.

Just as a point of interest Spuddy, IF the position of the engine mounting points is an obstacle to engine choice, I know from experience that if you give measurements and a basic drawing to the people at Beta Engines they will supply an engine with the mounts installed to fit your individual engine bay. Only connection is as a customer.

Thanks for the advice. Yes - engine mounts were another wretched problem to tackle that I wanted to avoid if poss. Everybody says good things about Beta marinisation - well apart from one owner saying that he'd fitted both a Beta and a Nanni and he'd always prefer a Nanni. Outweighed by the rest I'd say.

I had the 1505 Beta 37.5 hp in my old boat for 9 years (from new) Didn't miss a beat during 2 Med voyages of 2 years plus each ( fair bit of time on the diesel both voyages) and a Trans Atlantic. Easy to get at filters, fuel pump etc: so routine service was simple, and I'm no engineer!!

I don't know how they compare price-wise but I would have another one if I have to replace the Watermota in this boat.

I'd also vote for a Beta. Rowana came with one which had been fitted new in 2000. Hasn't missed a beat.

I did change the original battery layout, and now have 2 x 75Ah batteries in parallel for domestic/navigation use plus a 60Ah cranking battery. I then started going through fan belts at a fair old rate. This is a known problem, and Beta have a fix. This is simply bolting on some new pulleys and is extremely simple to do. I can post some photos if anyone is interested.