Has anyone replaced the Atomic 4 with a 1 cylinder Yenmar? This is something I'm considering and any input would be appreciated.
Has anyone replaced the Atomic 4 with a 1 cylinder Yenmar? This is something I'm considering and any input would be appreciated.
Janice,
I have not put a Yanmar in an Ariel , but in several other boats (about 8 ).
I assure you there will be a lot of cursing during the installation unless the atomic 4 gear is still there .
1st , the 1 cylinder is not a replacement for the Atomic 4 , the 2 cylinder is however and runs much smoother .
I had to use very expensive mounts to calm the single cylinder down and at certain RPM's it was still unbearable , harmonics are a big factor .
It is a good motor , just not for the Ariel.
I had a 1 cylinder in a 5500lb 27' boat and it was not enough except the calmest of times . Replaced it with a 2 cylinder 18hp and it was just right .
At normal rpm's the 1 cyl does not generate much HP , at wide open it gets close to 8 or 9 . The twin at half throttle is giving 8 hp at least . The engine will be much more reliable when not run so hard as the single would be and last much longer .
I just gave away a bobtail Yanmar twin that I was going to put in my Ariel .
I went for the 4 stroke outboard in the well .
Mike G
I looked into the Yanmar 2GM. Wouldn't even consider the 1 -- partly because the 2 has freshwater cooling and a saltwater jacket: longer lasting engine in salt water. I was also told that I wouldn't be able to tolerate the thumping and the low hp of the 1.
But, I too am sticking with the outboard.
Mike -- what's the verdict on 6 hp 4 cycle? Is it enough to power the boat through moderate current?
With the lower pitched prop it is fine , stock prop is for higher speed . 55lbs is hard to beat too !
Mike,
What make of outboard are you using and did it require any modification to the well?
Brent
Mike, so you suggest the 2 cylinder Yanmar as a good replacement??
I'm interested in what other inboards Ariel owners have installed. What has worked well?
Last edited by Janice Collins; 06-24-2002 at 03:38 AM.
I have the Nissan /Mercury /Tohatsu 6hp -4 stroke long shaft with alternator .
Fits right in the well , no sweat .
Janice , the Yanmar is the easiest and cheapest when all is done . Stay away from Volvo , parts will break you . There used to be a good Westerbeake , but I cannot find them or parts anymore . Avoid Fairymann like the plague .
Sabb is good , but $$$$$$ and parts are scarce in some parts .
Universal used to have a replacement for the A-4 .
Good luck .
BTW , I was going to cut out the cockpit to install the diesel . It had damage anyway , but the install would have gone 50% faster at least ,with rapid access to the aft end & shaft alignment would have been a breeze .
From the last in-the-water boat show: Universal Motors lives - as a Westerbeke subsidiary. It sells a Diesel replacement for the Atomic 4 who's specifications indicate an exact fit replacement (20 hp is the minimum). The 20 hp weighs 241 pounds (with transmission) www.westerbeke.com or 508-884-9688 to locate a nearby distributor.
Beta Marine uses a Kubota diesel as the basis for its Atomic 4 replacement. They offer 13.5 hp as well as 20 hp, and were less expensive than the Westerbeke Universals. The 13.5 hp model weighs only 190 pounds with the transmission. I have only have a dealer contact in San Diego 619-226-2622.
Here is part of a letter we printed in the newsletter last year:
Rebuilding or "replacing in kind" remains a practical, economical solution for tired A4s. Rebuildable engines are found in many boatyards, and rebuilt A4s are available "off the shelf" from Moyer Marine (717-564-5748, http://www.moyermarine.com/); Atomic Four Engine Service (604-868-6646,http://www3.telus.net/Atomic_4_Eng_Service/); and Old Lyme Marina (860-434-3068, http://www.oldlymemarina.com/)
Two very active on-line discussion groups (www.sailnet.com/ under "community/email," and on AOL under keyword "sailing") provide A4 owners with a wealth of information about parts and maintenance.
New diesel?
Lord knows, I've never let logic interfere with buying new stuff for the boat. But, this one seems hard to justify.
After you spend $ 6000+ installing a new diesel, the boat will be worth what? $ 6,500?
If I remember correctly, you've got a perfectly good Yamaha 9.9 hanging off the stern. You can install a remote start/ throttle/ shift control box and run it from the cockpit ($ 150 + cables).
Spend the rest on Rum and Lotto tickets.
No....wait.....that's what I would do.........nevermind
Only where the wind does not blow
Should engines off the transom go
A lot of opinions out there on the subject and I appreciate them all.
1. Old Atomic 4 is long gone .
2. Yes I have a very reliable Yamaha 9.9 long shaft hanging off the transom. However, it is too heavy for me to tilt!!! I can raise and lower it, but I can't tilt it out of the water. The marine growth is extremely active here, so letting it hang in the water all the time is out of the question.
I've toyed with switching to a smaller outboard, never having used even a quarter of the power of that engine. I was considering a 6 or an 8hp Yamaha. But, to tell you the truth, I never felt totally comfortable with it on the transom, have a fear the transom might not be strong enough,
And ease of mind and security mean a lot......
This subject has been weighing on my mind far too long, I've been wavering back and forth....driving me nuts......
Last edited by Janice Collins; 06-24-2002 at 04:50 PM.
Price out having an ob well built in the lazarette and compare that to the cost of reinstalling an inboard. The 8hp 2-cycle Mercury's are light and with the (mentioned elsewhere) "power" prop have plenty of stuff for the Ariel. I believe these engines sell for under $1700 in long shaft configuration.
Buying another boat isn't an option. I really love my boat.
What I want is a safe, easy method of power when I get in and out of a tight harbor or in one of those situations when I would need headway either in addition to a sail or when there are no wind and high seas
I agree it does seem extreme to buy a new inboard....
Last edited by Janice Collins; 06-25-2002 at 04:02 AM.
Janice,
I have purchased good used Yanmars for under $2000 as low as $800 , they are out there .
I look for racers that are becoming crusers and want a bigger motor and dont care about the weight anymore .
You are just in a bad locale for shopping , from my experience with the islands . I would head down to Trinidad , you will get a better deal there and the locals are mechanical wizards .
If you could ever find my pal Nick Benacia he could fix you up , after he flirted for all he's worth . He lives in the Petit-Valley area . Ask around the boat yards , his brother Bunnie Benacia is a well known electrical contractor and may be easier to find.
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