Hello, We have just purchased a Ballad that will require a repower for the existing MD7a. The engine I am considering is the Beta Marine BZ482 13.5 hp. I was wondering if anyone has repowered with this engine. If so, were there any major modifications required or problems encountered while fitting the engine into the boat? Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Also, does anyone know what angle to the waterlne the engine is mounted? Somewhere between 12 and 13 degrees is as close as I have been able to measure. Thanks, Bob Jenkins  | I suggest, that you consider also a little more effective models than 13,5 hp Kubota because Ballad is quite heavy boat and driving straight again moderate or strong wind may drop your speed less than 4 knots. Jere Kuusinen #752 |
 | I agree with Jere. If the engine is considered an assistance when the wind is gone, the 10 Hp is sufficient. But if you think your engine is part of your safety-system, and you want to be able to motor yourself out of potentially dangerous bad weather situations, or just into a harbour lying to windward, in a gale, then you need 20 Hp. We have a 13,5 Hp Volvo Penta, and have been into situation where it just was not enough, on a few unpleasant occasions. Jesper Milling |
 | Hi,
I too would recommend the bigger 3 cylinder engine.
I fitted the 3 cylinder Beta in my own Ballad (hull 173) about 4 or 5 years ago. It fits inside the fibreglass box without any mods to the box. I laid a box section steel section bolted directly on top of the original bearers using the old engine fixing bolts, then new engine mounts atop the steel box sections. I can't recall the dimensions of the box section at the moment, possibly about 50mm x 50mm.
Only other addition to the standard engine was a high lift cross over exhaust elbow, available from Beta.
I have fitted several Beta engines to vessels in the course of work. they are excellent value and cheaper spares than most marine engines.
Regards
Iain Murray |
 | I repowered with a BZ482 in 2001, and I am very satisfied with the engine thus far. Don't know the angle you're asking for, but I do know that my mechanic created an aluminum custom mount for the engine and bolted it to the existing stringers.
Otherwise, the engine is much shorter than the MD6A I had, which enabled me to put in a longer shaft tube than I had before, and install a PSS shaft seal as well. In the previous installation, there wasn't much of a tube to latch on to when installing a stuffing box hose, and not much room between the shaft tube and the transmission (I know, because I had to have it fixed twice at $1500 a pop). In addition, the BZ482 is about 200 pounds lighter than the MD6A, which will enable me to install a water heater and extra water tank in the stern--a project I have not undertaken yet.
Cathi Jones, Lyric, Hull #205
Anchorage Marina, Baltimore, MD
----- Original Message ----
From: bobj500
To: Albin-Ballad
Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2008 6:30:39 PM
Subject: Beta Marine Repower
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New Message on Albin-Ballad
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From: bobj500
Message 1 in Discussion
Hello, We have just purchased a Ballad that will require a repower for the existing MD7a. The engine I am considering is the Beta Marine BZ482 13.5 hp. I was wondering if anyone has repowered with this engine. If so, were there any major modifications required or problems encountered while fitting the engine into the boat? Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Also, does anyone know what angle to the waterlne the engine is mounted? Somewhere between 12 and 13 degrees is as close as I have been able to measure. Thanks, Bob Jenkins
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|
 | I would agree that more power than 12-13 hp is wise. My Volvo Penta 2020B, a green-painted variant of the small three cylinder Japanese diesel, is nominally 18 hp, or 13 kW. It drives through a 2,3:1 gear to a 16"x10" two-bladed Gori folding propeller. In calm conditions, 2400 rpm gives 5 to 5,5 knots. 2800 rpm gives 5,5 to 6 knots. Max, 3600 rpm provides much water back up the cockpit drains. Even this combination proves inadequate in a 25-30 kt head wind and accompanying sharp chop which corresponds with the boat's pitching frequency. Much splash and 2,5 kt. Following an analysis by Gori and a very helpful discussion with a Gori technical person, we agreed that the propellor does not have adequate blade area to provide the thrust needed. Ie. power was enough but propeller efficiency low. On Gori's recommendation I have bought a Gori three-bladed folding propeller, also 16"x10", but which has 40% more blade area. Not yet fitted as the prop shaft needs shortening. Next spring. Conclusion:- Make sure that you have a gear/propeller combination which can convert your expensive new power into thrust when most needed. PS. That little three-cylinder diesel, whatever colour it is panted, is a gem. Starts easily, runs smoothly and quietly, reacts quickly and blows no black smoke. Average consumption (over 1500 hours) is less than 1,5 liters per hour. BUT. Get the exhaust system right. (see earlier article) |
 | I'm also a proponent of extra power. I've just returned from a sailing vacation where, on a couple of occasions , I needed every horsepower I had on tap in order to enter an anchorage in southern Serifos. The foreceast was for a force 6-7 but the gusts which funneled down the adjacent hills would reach 40 knots. Case in point: With a 25hp engine running at 2,500 rpm and a big fixed 3-blade prop, I was making 1,7 knots over ground. Granted, my sprayhood and bimini create a lot of windage, but there're both necessary when the spray is flying in and the sun is beating down. On calm conditions and with a clean bottom, the engine gives me 6,5- 6,7 knots at 2,600 rpm. Nicholas Moments of Clarity #334 |
 | I've proably said this before, but in the 5-6 years we've had our 10hp Beta marine we've been very satisfied with it. Janie Duchess #111 |
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