The New Engine - A Powerful Choice

After much searching, head scratching, and question asking, we have finally chosen an engine for Harmony.  We looked at all possibilities for a diesel auxiliary.  The 2 primary focal points included brand and size in horse power.  We wanted to ensure that we had a reliable engine that was easy to service either by ourselves or others wherever we voyaged, and we wanted to have enough power to move the boat at hull speed and to spin a good size alternator.

When Harmony was built in 1976, she was powered by a standard Perkins 4-108 diesel which produced about 84 horse power.  This had become a standard power package for the Westsail 42.  While Perkins makes fine engines and we were experienced with our Perkins 30 HP unit on Poetry, the 4-108 has a reputation for being a bit of a hassle to work on.

Most of the engines we looked at, Beta, Perkins, Westerbeke, and Catepillar were all marinized truck engines.  As had been our experience with finding electricians, we found it frustrating to get anyone to really talk to us about what engine to choose.  Now, we're talking about spending roughly $18,000 for the new engine.  I guess I imagined that in this relatively slow economy that someone would want to do a little business.

Well, enter the Mack Boring company out of Braintree, MA, and we found someone who was willing to spend time with us.  We had huddled with Dave Winskowicz from Mack Boring at the January 2012 Boston Boat Show and he spent as much time as we needed.  He gave us two recommendations, both of which were Yanmar models:  a 75 HP model and a 110 HP model.  Yanmar engines are made purposefully for the marine market and are standard equipment on many of today's leading sailboats.

Now there will always be a point of contention between the old school guys that like the Detroit diesels and the new school folks that move with the newer innovations.  We liked that Yanmar has been installed in most of the new vessels and parts and service are found almost everywhere we were sailing.  Besides, Mack Boring had a solid working relationship with our boatyard, Barden's Boat Yard.  On top of that, Mack Boring offered 3 day instructional classes in servicing and maintaining the engine:  Oh, the sight of Beth with a torque wrench in the engine room wearing a matching ensemble of matching overalls and shoes was too much!

After much thought and continued discussion with Dave over the intervening months we were quickly reaching a decision point.  We were leaning to the 110 HP unit in order to provide the sufficient amount of power for propulsion and charging.  A quick discussion with Doug at Barden's Boat Yard and our decision was made.

Our Yanmar 4JK4-HTE - a 110 HP iron genoa

Our plan was to buy the engine at the 2012 Newport Boat Show thus enjoying the benefits of a boat show discount.  We were to meet up with Dave at Newport and do the deal.  Yep, we were going to purchase a Yanmar 4JH4-HTE:  a turbo-charged 110 HP unit that will give us the power we need to battle currents AND do healthy charging.

Great!  A major decision made and movement forward.

Fair Winds and Following Seas!