Hello,
I have all but convinced myself to replace my tired old 360s with a pair of Cummins 6BT 210s. I plan to couple these with ZF 63As 1.2:1, run my 1.25" shafts with a set of 16X21 wheels (and adjust from there). I figured the boat to be loaded up around 13,000lbs The cummins 210s make that power at 2600 RPM. I believe I am aware of all the little things that have to change for this to work. And yes, I know it is going to be quite pricey.
I would like to hear feedback from you experienced boaters the know the Marinette well. I am hoping that this will give me a fuel efficient setup. I am hoping not to loose to much speed. I wonder how the boat will handle with the extra weight? Just in case you are wondering why I do not mind putting the money into this boat....its because it is about the largest boat that I can trailer with a 1Ton pickup. I don't move it around alot, but i trailer-ed it on two expeditions last year (great lakes) when I knew I did not have the time or the $$$ to make the trip from the slip. Yes, i pull permits! Hope to hear from you all soon!
P.S. I would be glad to hear suggestions/arguments regarding the possibility of fuel injected gasoline engines if efficiency could be close or better. I have not spend much time researching this side of things. This would of course take away the possibility of running some of my neighbor's homemade bio-diesel which can be quite cheap.
Diesel Repower 1989 32' Fisherman
Re: Diesel Repower 1989 32' Fisherman
Hello. First the Cummins is a very good engine. Butt for a 32 I think it would be under powered, for full "speed". It will not have the "speed" it has now. With good 360's and everything right and clean that boat should be close to 40 mph. You can't add weight, and drop HP and maintain the same speed. I would say with the Cummins it would top out at 25 maybe 30mph. If you are planning to run slower than it would be more efficient. I also think you will need 1.5 trans. I think you should do some more research first. How many hours do you plan to run a season? Rebuilding a pair of 360's would be cheep compared to diesels. Joe
1988 sedan flybridge. Black / White. 318 240 hp Aluminum aft deck hard top. Louisville Ky . Tartans landing. " KNOCKEFELLERS"
Re: Diesel Repower 1989 32' Fisherman
I would love to have diesels but just couldn't justify it for myself. First thing is make sure you have room for the Cummins. I have one in a truck, I like them and it would have been my first choice. I think you might find the Cummins is taller and may be a problem. Just a warning. Otherwise with the higher torque you will get by with less horsepower. I would put plastic drivesavers in to help smooth out the power from the engine. Good for other reasons too. Just shop around, found them for sale for a lot less than that prop shop. You will never pay for the conversion in fuel savings, but if you do the work yourself and keep the costs down I think you will be happy with it. Good luck with it and keep us posted, Ed
BUSIA
located in Ketchikan, Alaska. Gods country
32 foot Marinette (no fly bridge)
twin 350 Crusader (Chev 350) engines
1:1 Borg Warner velvet drive transmissions
Closed cooling (antifreeze in the engine)
Proud to be retired IBEW and an A+P
located in Ketchikan, Alaska. Gods country
32 foot Marinette (no fly bridge)
twin 350 Crusader (Chev 350) engines
1:1 Borg Warner velvet drive transmissions
Closed cooling (antifreeze in the engine)
Proud to be retired IBEW and an A+P
Re: Diesel Repower 1989 32' Fisherman
A few things to consider going with diesels:
1. They are LOUD!
2. You'll need a return path for the fuel, so the tanks will need to have another fitting welded to them.
3. They make far more low speed torque, so you'd better have the 1 1/4 inch prop shafts.
4. Due to the above, you'll need a LOT more pitch on your props.
5. They will weigh more, which will make the boat aft heavier (correctable with trim tabs).
Not sure I'd go that way since the 360s are damn fine engines and very cheap to replace with rebuilt long blocks--even cheaper than Chevies!
Jeff
1. They are LOUD!
2. You'll need a return path for the fuel, so the tanks will need to have another fitting welded to them.
3. They make far more low speed torque, so you'd better have the 1 1/4 inch prop shafts.
4. Due to the above, you'll need a LOT more pitch on your props.
5. They will weigh more, which will make the boat aft heavier (correctable with trim tabs).
Not sure I'd go that way since the 360s are damn fine engines and very cheap to replace with rebuilt long blocks--even cheaper than Chevies!
Jeff
"We live at the bottom of an ocean of air, not at the top." General Marvage Slatington
Re: Diesel Repower 1989 32' Fisherman
It would be way cool to have a 32 with a pair of Cummins. I'd be asking myself if I was going to be running the boat enough to justify diesel. Given the costs of conversion (and around here the cost of diesel fuel is higher) you have to consider whether you're actually saving. If you're running a lot (like say a commercial fisherman), then the diesels are worth it. If you're just running on weekends, you'd be ahead financially even if you sprung for crate engines. But if what you really want is a 32 with diesel power. . .
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Joe
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Joe
Joe Napoli
1977 28' Express
Twin raw water cooled 318s
Beaver River--near mile 25 on the Ohio
1977 28' Express
Twin raw water cooled 318s
Beaver River--near mile 25 on the Ohio
Re: Diesel Repower 1989 32' Fisherman
Good point. Running diesels a LOT keeps them in god shape; running them just now and then causes $$$ trouble. Just ask diesel mechanics who work on "rich people's" yachts (some that have only 2 hours running time per year--when the mechanics change the oil). The owners either haven't the time of ability to run their own boats!
Jeff
PS: Heard this from several yacht brokers.
Jeff
PS: Heard this from several yacht brokers.
"We live at the bottom of an ocean of air, not at the top." General Marvage Slatington
Re: Diesel Repower 1989 32' Fisherman
While diesels would be awesome, I agree that you would have to run the boat for many many hours to offset the cost. I have seen a number of re-power projects using new gas blocks with much success. A friend re-powered with new 350s about 6 years ago. Overall improvement in efficiency and a real sweet new ride.
Not to change the subject, but could you share your trailering set-up. I have a 88 fisherman and would appreciate your experience with towing.
Thanks
Not to change the subject, but could you share your trailering set-up. I have a 88 fisherman and would appreciate your experience with towing.
Thanks
Scott Ross
Thanks Dad
1988 32 Fisherman
Sandusky, Ohio
Thanks Dad
1988 32 Fisherman
Sandusky, Ohio
Re: Diesel Repower 1989 32' Fisherman
Don't ignore the NOISE factor. No one will be able to stand being in the cabin with them running at speed. Okay, so maybe you're up top, but some poor soul is sure to be stuck 'downstairs'.
Jeff
Jeff
"We live at the bottom of an ocean of air, not at the top." General Marvage Slatington
Re: Diesel Repower 1989 32' Fisherman
My Diesels are not as loud as my buddy's 32 with gas engines. I have the varitone mufflers.
Roger
Roger
"Sea Jay" a 37' Double cabin with twin factory Volvo diesels, 230 HP each. Twin Disk 1.54 Trans turning DynaQuad 19X21 props.
Roger Brown
Petersburg, IL
Roger Brown
Petersburg, IL
Re: Diesel Repower 1989 32' Fisherman
I'm not talking about exhaust noise; I'm talking the usual racket diesels make from combustion. A boat DESIGNED for diesels will have massive sound insulation, where a boat converted to diesels will not.
Others have gone that route with Marinettes and been horrified by the racket.
Jeff
Others have gone that route with Marinettes and been horrified by the racket.
Jeff
"We live at the bottom of an ocean of air, not at the top." General Marvage Slatington