[Public-list] repower options

[ellen landrum]

J-
 Just a plug for solar. It has changed our life. We have 2 Shell 85 watt
panels, a charge controller, 2 AGM batteries, and as full-time cruisers,
never start the engine except when we remove the panels during hurricanes
(yikes). We repowered with a Yanmar 3GM, 28hp, which seems a bit too much
horespower for your needs. A 2GM would be more than sufficient to keep you
out of the worst weather and bring you in/out of the dock. It's an 18horse.
Our close friend on another A30 repowered with a Beta and loves it. We love
it too- super quiet, much better access to the oil pump, plugs than our
Yanmar. Either way, the new engine changed our life- it's a dream not to
deal with constant maintenance and we simplified the systems to the point
that our three-year old could run it. Good luck!
 Be well-
Ellen and John Landrum
Rubicon (#72)

 On 9/26/05, J Bergquist <JOHN.R.BERGQUIST at saic.com> wrote:
>
> Dear List,
>
>
>
> My venerable atomic 4 which served me well for 3 years (and several
> previous
> owners for more years than I know) has finally bitten the dust. Don't ask.
> The motor is not going to be resurrected. I am considering repower
> options.
> I have the following thoughts:
>
>
>
> 1. My operating profile includes 95% of the following mission: use the
> motor to get away from the dock, put up the sails as soon as possible, go
> sailing, and use the motor to get back to the dock. Total usage: 1 hour
> per
> trip.
> 2. Of the remaining 5% of motor usage, 80% is: motor all day when
> trying to get somewhere under time constraint and no wind.
> 3. The remaining 1% of total usage is: use the motor to stabilize the
> boat during conditions too extreme for safe sailing.
>
>
>
> I would like to entertain all repowering options which will allow
> successful
> operation of my boat within the defined operating envelope. I have
> considered the following possibilities:
>
>
>
> 1. Repower with a rebuilt atomic-4 or rebuild my own.
> 2. Repower with a diesel prime mover.
> 3. Repower with an electric prime mover, with the following
> sub-options:
>
> a. No onboard power generation (must recharge using shore power)
> b. Onboard solar power generation
> c. Onboard solar and wind power generation
> d. Onboard diesel, gas turbine (yeah, baby), or gasoline power
> generation
>
>
>
> My defining parameters are weight, space, safety, range, resale value,
> cost,
> and ease of use/maintenance.
>
>
>
> I am wondering if anybody out there has opinions about this. I am sure
> that
> many of you do have opinions. Mostly, I'd like to know if anybody reading
> this list has an electric prime mover, and if so how much power do you
> have?
> The numbers for electric power are MUCH smaller than for internal
> combustion. I am just wondering if I can drive the boat through the water
> anywhere close to hull speed with a 4 HP electric motor. Also, what kind
> of
> weight and size do your batteries take up, and what is the range?
>
>
>
> Secondarily, who has recently repowered with diesel and how much power did
> you install? What is the consensus on how much horsepower is sufficient? I
> have heard numbers ranging from 13 to 25. I recognize that the propeller
> choice is also a variable. Without getting too deep into propulsion calcs,
> I'm just wondering what people have found to be sufficient in terms of
> power?
>
>
>
> Is there anybody who has ever heard of a gas turbogenerator installed in a
> sailboat of our size? Mostly, I'm just curious. I can't find any
> manufacturers of such a thing, but it seems to me like it might be a good
> option.if you could deal with the volume of air, the exhaust temperature,
> and the noise level. There are some sites that I found which show use of
> helicopter gas turbines for various applications that might correspond
> with
> the size and space constraints of our boats..but they are definitely
> nothing
> close to a complete package including gearing and a generator set.
>
>
>
> Any other thoughts from folks who have recently repowered? I have heard
> one
> recommendation in favor of a beta diesel. They seem to be very nice, but
> also very expensive. I've read a lot of articles about the choice between
> rebuilt A4 and new diesel. I know one fellow owner who has a westerbeke,
> and
> another with a universal. Anything else y'all want to add? Any particular
> testimonials or criticisms?
>
>
>
> Eternally grateful,
>
>
>
> J Bergquist
>
> Calliope #287
>
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