The original Atomic 4 engine on our E29 has developed a leak in the salt water cooling system - a damaged bolt in the side plate that our mechanic doesn't dare to touch in case it renders the engine entirely useless. For now, the leak is a dribble, but we don't dare go on a summer cruise in case it turns into a gush along the way.
Called around re: repowering. The beta marine rep says about $28K to put in a new engine, and he doesn't do rebuilds any more because it's too expensive. No way we're spending that much! Got an estimate for an electric repower @ $15K. Tempting, but still this is triple our initial investment in the boat. An outboard would probably be more like $6-7K. Maybe an option. Either that, or sell to someone who likes to tinker with mechanics.
Have I missed anything?
Has anyone gone the outboard route? I wonder if this would fix my two least favorite things about the 29 -- the constant pull to port while motoring and the complete inability to steer in reverse? Or maybe it would introduce new/different problems related to weight and balance?
Thanks in advance for the collective wisdom on this board!
My only experiences with an OB “Cast Iron Jib” was with my Catalina 22. Biggest problems I can recall back then (early 70’s) was cavitation in anything over 4’ and plus seas.
Fortunately for me…I quickly became mechanically inclined out of $$$ necessity as a teen and owning my first car. (Dad’s wise efforts at teaching me responsibilities and more.) …My decided purchase of a toolbox full of tools and learning has saved me countless dollars and frustration over the years in more ways than you can imagine!
…Fast forward to my purchasing my then new E-32 in’73. As a VERY critical budget minded 29 year old, EVERYTHING was done by me, especially including anything mechanical.
I pulled our A-4 out & back in myself, with the then help of 3 body building ‘gorillas’ back in ‘83, from where I worked, for a then much needed rebuild from the raw salt water cooling system. (These guys - using a barbell pole - actually carried the old engine up and out of the boat dockside to a waiting pickup truck like it wasn’t even there!!!)
Years later (early 90’s) after moving to Michigan, the A-4 was once again sadly dying from salt water usage. This time, I pulled and replaced it with a diesel (AGAIN WITH THE HELP OF FRIENDS AT MY BOAT CLUB) …and have had absolutely no regrets to date.
Moral of my story, …DO reconsider ALL your unthought of options, and then speaking with - and not being hesitant in asking or relying on your friends/fellow boaters or car enthusiasts to tackle your problems.
You’ve got a GREAT community of “E - Sailors” here, as I have found, to also get you through it all as well!