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Random Quote: When the tide goes out, we find out who has been swimming naked (Warren Buffet)
so ,,, say you did do this swap,,, and saved $1.20 per gallon on fuel,, while burning half the fuel, how long before you save $15,000. or $20,000. in fuel?.. gas engines are about 40 years old,, diesels will probably outlast the boat, if theres nothing wrong, keep buying gas with your money, and a newer boat when the time comes,,
The Yanmars weren't listed on the Seaboard Marine site, but I would try giving them a call. Their site says they specialize in repowers for small to midsize boats. That market's pretty dead right now, so they would probably be looking to get rid of them if sickcat is right and they actually have them.
He mentioned he had them on a boatdiesel thread dated around the end of Oct IIRC.
I think people poo poo a diesel repower in your case because the $$ you will dump into it you will never get back out. Certainly is a personal decision. Even if you don't replace the shafts/struts thing like exhaust mods cost $$. Personally I love that era 32s. I have watched one (a gasser) here in SoCal that has been for sale for quite a while now. Started out @ $60K now about $30K. It looks to be in beatiful shape. I have seen them as low as $5K that are in pretty good shape except they needed engines.
Island-Marine you are right I would only save maybe $1500-$2000 a year in fuel so it would take quite a few years to make the investment back.
Sickcat i totally understand the not bein worth the value of the boat or the not getting my money back but who ever does on a boat. But its a great little boat and if I keep it say another 10 years then it could be worth it. And its not like I can sell it and get my money back on it now and go buy a newer $50-$100k boat. I think I know the Luhrs you are talking it about. Had lots of blue canvas on it with the isinglass. I dont even know if it ever sold or not.
So today I helped my buddy haul out his 41' Owens that decided to kiss some rocks at the island last weekend. Once it was in the yard the workers hauled out the Long Beach yacht club's 32' Luhrs, its a 72 or 73 model. I noticed it had 2 exhaust so I asked a guy near it what it had for power. Turns out they removed the 318 Chryslers and put in 2 new Yanmar 140's. Their total refit was 70k, new engines with trans/v-drive, new fuel tanks, some new wire, and new exhaust, and to have the shafts shorten cause of the new v-drive system, plus labor. He did say he felt that the labor was a bit high but that it was done by a very reutable company in the shipyard there, and he said the amount of time it was in the shipyard was a pretty penny as well. The boat will cruise 15-17knots and power at 22-23knots, whihc is pretty good. He said it planes great, idles great, and runs like a champ after 5 years of use.
So I tried to re do some numbers and get an idea again. I would like to go with the 240's if I can find a set used, he said they paid nearly 40k for their 140's and this Yanmar build tin v-drive transmission deal. But I looked and the transmissions are ZF's so I need to investigate that more. I am already redoing all the wiring, my fuel tanks are in fine shape, I am redoing the fuel lines, valves, seperators and everything anyhow. He said it was somethin silll like 600 bucks a shaft to shorten, well hell I will throw them in my lathe and shorten them so that saves money. Pluss all the work I can do myself.
So I see the price still up there but atleast now i know there are 2 accounts of where it has been done and it works. Will I even get my money back? No way!! but will it make the boat more enjoyable for the next few years? Id have to think so, Plus a savings on a weekend trip is a savings.
Does anyone know any information about this Yanmar or ZF built in v-drive system? Oh and you should see how much room is on this boat in the engine room now. Wow is it huge.
Hey Greg, Thanks I appreciate that information. The one I saw yesterday had 17x17 3 blades on it. The guy said it had the 200hp Yanmars but when he let me look and take pics it has 140's on it. Here is a pic of the engine. In the last pictures you can kindda see the transmission/vdrive deal. I like how the engines are forward as well..
I am certainly not saying don't do it. I would strongly recommend you give Athens a call and talk to him. I bet he can tell you all you want to know about the drivetrain. Since you would be looking at used drivetrains I would not rule out any of the major engine manufactures. A lot of step vans had Cummins 4bt motors. That would be a good choice for what your thinking about. Here is a link to a group that is all about 4bts.
I had the 240s in a 1987 Aquasport Tournament Master, 29 ft boat. They were installed by Al Grover on Long Island in 2003. A fine engine. I sold the boat last summer but I see it is for sale again and the engines only have about 230 hours. I think asking price is 39,000 or there abouts. Present owner lost his job. You could get the get the engines, and good set of electronics and than sell the bare boat. Just a thought. I understand the Cummins 4bt are rather noisy and will shake the boat. The 4cyl Yanmars are smooth.
Raymond do you know the exact model number of those 240hp's. Are they the 4LHA-STP, I have seen a lot of 4LHA-s" and not sure which is to correct one. It might get a bit expensive buying that boat shipping it here to California and then swapping engines. There has to be some of these engines around. I started searching the 4BT and there seems to be a 50/50 mix on feelings for that engine. Some either like it or some hate it. So far most readings on the Yanmar's are pretty positive.
Sickcat Ill try to talk with Athens next week.
Thanks Rodney
SickCat, Noise is exactly what most people were complaining about. I havent actually heard any underway. However, the Luhrs I was mentioning that did the conversion to Yanmars said that I was more then welcome to take a run with him in the boat just to have a feel of it and hear it. He says they arent whisper engines but you dont have to yell over them either. He said even with the mufflers its not like it took all the sound away. So I guess I will keep a look out for a used set of the 240's. Again that one has the 140's so Im guessing 240's will be just fine with some power in reserve.
Rodney
gas engines are about 40 years old,, diesels will probably outlast the boat, if theres nothing wrong, keep buying gas with your money, and a newer boat when the time comes,, 
