Repower Complete

The iron wind is in place and fully functional. It took a full four months to complete the work.

The old Perkins was shot. The bilge was filled with an inch and a half of solidified grease. That took a while to clean. They had to work out angles and clearances with the new engine and shaft as well as coupler to transmission. The team needed to close an old through hull and create a larger one since the cooling raw water intake required a larger diameter hose connection than did the Perkins. Also, they had to raise the engine box since the engine sits higher than did the Perkins.

The Volvo Penta D50 is superb. It is remarkably quiet relative to the Perkins. The old engine vibrated the whole vessel. The new one has essentially normal (little to no) associated vibrations. The prop shaft and dripless seal are new. The prop is the only retained part of the old powertrain. It needed minimal refurbishment.

Interestingly, the new engine does not seem to increase value of the vessel as far as insurance is concerned since the old one worked, even though it was marginal. The added peace of mind is, however, priceless.