I have a bukh diesel in my trimaran which is sadly blown (probably beyond repair, and about 30 years old). This is a long shot, but has anyone ever replaced a bukh diesel with another brand, and gotten it to link up and function keeping the bukh saildrive?

-Thanks

Hi toroa. The Bukh people at Tarren Point are also the Beta people. Call Graham and he'll
be able to suggest alternatives regarding rebuild or change over to Beta.

toroa1 said..
I have a bukh diesel in my trimaran which is sadly blown (probably beyond repair, and about 30 years old). This is a long shot, but has anyone ever replaced a bukh diesel with another brand, and gotten it to link up and function keeping the bukh saildrive?

-Thanks

First up toroa1, welcome to the forum. You have reached "Placious Sympatico", what ever that means. Many of us here have 30 year old yachts we wish we were sailing 30 years ago. Some of us were and some us were not and some of us still are.

Ask the question and combined we try to give the answers.

Sounds like you have the worst of both worlds there mate. A Bukh and a sail drive.

How the hell did a great heavy Bukh end up in a trimaran anyway?? A Bukh diesel and a trimaran are the antithesis of each other.

So your engine being 30 years old in your trimaran would seem to indicate your trimaran may be a Piver??? If that is the case the hull construction is most likely plywood and therefore the area where the saildrive goes through the hull will need some attention.

My suggestion is you consider a complete engine reconfiguration. Repair and remould the hole where the sail drive goes through and fit a shaft drive engine or fit an outboard engine to your main hull transom or fit two smaller outboards to each pontoon.

Whatever you decide to do I think you will be very lucky to get away with less than a $10,000 spend.

No!!

Boat means $100,000 or more.

Engine means $10,000 or more.

Divorce means no boat, no engine and $200,000 or more.

Forget about the Ferrari. The best you will do is an old 82 Fairmont to sleep in. I just happen to have one for sale for $2,500 so what does that say about me?

OK, love the enthusiasm and entertainment in the replies so far. I will try to chase down some of the leads offered. Thanks to all.
My boat is not a Piver, but a nearly one-of-a-kind cold-moulded wood epoxy design. Perhaps the closest comparison is a Marples. My wife and I bought it about 12 years ago. I am aware that the builder made a dubious choice in terms of power to weight ratio in installing a bukh. But, as long as it worked well for me, I had no reason or desire to change it out. Yes, as I assess it further, I might end up just rebuilding and carrying on with the same engine. But it is also time to seriously consider other options. Either way I recognize there are no easy or cheap options, but the details on the kubota might prove very useful.

toroa1 said..
Oh, and one more detail, the current engine is a DV20.

http://betamarine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/downloads/saildrive_guidelines/saildrive_solutions/solution_1/Volvo_SD110_Guidelines.pdf

open this pdf is has conversion info in it

Ill find it tonight these people above had including bukh DV20's

It was a UK company

I'm thinking your set up would be much like this DV24 sail drive?


betamarine.co.uk check out these guys I think thats where the pdf came from

Bukh sydney do change over engines
I just sold my old dv20 it needed a rebuild
And i think tge bew owner a fitter and turner is going to do it

At least pull it down and see what needs work.