The Re Power, Part 1

Yanmar 3JH5e

The re power process has been difficult for White Pepper. The first difficult decision was in February 2014 whether to re power the boat or not. The price to re power would be 25% of the retail price of the boat. This decision took about a half second of debate and discussion.  Someday Jan and I will not be able to continue the cruising lifestyle, but not this year.

The second decision was to continue with Yanmar. Yanmar did not cause the engine failure after 29 years.  I am still not clear what caused the failure although the transmission had a lot to do with it. If pressed I would say that an incorrect choice of transmission fluid was the proximate cause.

The next question was horsepower. White Pepper has always been under horsed. Indeed, these were the very first words from her original surveyor, Mr. Kershaw, in 1989. It has not been a problem until recently. The rule of thumb is that race boats should have 1 HP per thousand pounds of displacement.  This description fits White Pepper with the 3HM.  A cruising boat should have 2 HP per thousand pounds which works out to about 40 HP for the old girl.  The new C&C 41 by Alerion  will have a Yanmar 3JH as standard equipment.  The most capable cruisers will have 3 HP per thousand pounds which is way beyond what White Pepper can accommodate in her stern.  So the Yanmar 3JH5e, with 39 max. HP  was chosen.  The 3 stands for 3 cylinders.  The JH is the new line of high torque, low RPM, low exhaust engines from Yanmar. The 5 is for the fifth generation in the JH family. The "e" is for naturally aspirated, although some bloggers say it stands for export.

Choosing a mechanic was done on referral during the social hour at beach church at George Town, Bahamas. Cookie Monster recommended Al Blande of Al's Mobile Marine in Palm Coast, FL. Saber Tooth at St.Augustine seconded the recommendation.  Al was a great help over the phone at West Palm and in person at St. Augustine.  See earlier posts for details.

Matching the prop to the engine is extremely important.  This was subject to an earlier post which may need to be amended.  But for now an 18" x 15"  3 blade seems to fit.

Finally after months of waiting Al had assembled all of the necessary pieces and was ready to go in the last week of August, 2014.  Jan and I drove out from Texas to "help". The actual installation will be the subject of future posts.