I've changed out engines in three different boats-two Babas (30 & 40).
Procedure, problems, and solution were the same. The replacement engines in
all cases were Yanmars. These engines are wonderfully reliable. Do not get
me started on Volvos! I also think Yanmars increase the market value of the
boat.

First problem is: engine beds will not accept a new engine. In each case, I
cut away the existing bed but left enough of the factory-bonded fiberglass
to the hull to act as tabs to bolt new custom made aluminum beams to them.
Not only were the aluminum beams bolted with many and large s/s bolts, but
bonded with 5200.

Grinding out the old fiberglass engine beds is a messy job! Even with
barrier curtains, expect a fine fiberglass dust throughout the boat. One
thing, however from this operation-you will have that "new boat smell" when
the job is done.

The aluminum beams were inverted "L" shaped in section.

The location of the new beds will take some figuring. I made up templates
from cardboard, based on measurements from the engine literature and ran a
wire up the middle of the shaft alley-the base for all measurements. This
was a little tricky on our 40 where the transmission has about a 7 degree
cant.

Expect to change your shaft, it may be too long or too short (probably the
latter), and propeller for size and rotation.

If you ask, Ken Beiser might have photos of the installation in his Baba 30.

Enjoy!

Tom

Moonshadow Panda 40

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Received on Sat Mar 10 08:51:09 2007