WS 32 ENGINE SIZE

  • May 28, 2015 4:32 PM
    Message # 3361262
    Deleted user

    I am looking at a WS 32 with a Volvo Penta 28 horsepower motor.It has 140 Hrs on it.What I have read that that engine is under powered for that boat.Anyone out there have that engine in your WS 32 and what is your opinion of it , thanks

  • May 29, 2015 4:26 PM
    Reply # 3362702 on 3361262

    Ahoy Gregg,  Can I assume you are referencing the Volvo Penta 2003 model?  Most of the original W-32's had the Volvo Penta MD2B.  It is 67 cubic inches.  I personally have owned two W-32's with the MD2B and travelled over 30,000 miles with it.  Many went around the world.  My average motoring speed was 5.3k.  I could do 6.4k.  Both of my boats performed identically.  (After fairing the bottom, they would do 7.0k)  The top speed that a W-32 can be expected to hit would be about 7.4k.  On occasion, I thought how nice it would be to have about 10% more engine displacement/power.  The Volvo 2003 is 78 cubic inches; that is 16% bigger.  I have no long distance cruising experience with the 2003 model, but that 16% should certainly move a W-32 along at .25k faster than the MD2B. There are, or were, some W-32's out there with the 2003 Volvo, as I have seen them.

    Only you can say whether the Volvo Penta 2003, at 78 ci,  is not enough for a W-32.  Personally That size engine would not be a deal breaker for me.  I currently have a 91ci Westerbeke (Mitsubishi).  It is more than adequate.  Many people want as much engine as possible and I have installed a 132ci engine in a W-32.  The bigger engines, weigh more, are bigger, and consume a little more fuel.  The fuel consumption issue is usually not a big deal, but it certainly can be when crossing the North Pacific High, or voyaging around the world in very remote areas.

    Engine size on a long distance voyaging boat has to be a compromise.  Good luck with your choice.  Keep us informed.    Thanks,       Dave

  • May 30, 2015 4:49 AM
    Reply # 3363091 on 3361262
    Deleted user

    Hello Gregg,

    I have the original Volvo MD11C in Rhapsody rated at 25 HP when new. The engine has been serving me well for 20 years. There have been a few times where a little more power would have been nice but overall I have found the engine very adequate for my needs. I rarely run the engine at more than 1700 to 1800 RPM which gives me about 4.5 knots on average and keeps the noise level to an acceptable level. I will echo Dave's opinion by saying that engine size would not be a big factor in a decision whether to purchase or not.

    Regards,

    Werner


  • May 30, 2015 8:17 AM
    Reply # 3363200 on 3361262

    I have no experience with a smaller engine in a WS32. Mine is a 115cu/in 4 cyl, 44hp  Universal/Kubota  M-50D.

    I look at additional power as a safety factor. Once, it saved me in a (very) sudden 60kn squall that caught everyone off-guard. It allowed me to make headway against the wind/seas in an enclosed anchorage when others couldn't or were dragging anchor and being blown up onto the beach.  This, while dragging my own 35 lb CQR that my crew was supposed to have raised ('Well, I pulled it up to the chain').  Another time it kept me off the rocks during a 'Norther' I just could not make headway against under sail.

    I can't say a smaller engine would be a deal breaker. It depends on how you plan to use the boat. I can say at least in general terms bigger is better (to a point).

    Last modified: May 30, 2015 8:26 AM | Anonymous member