Pre-1998 Peninsulars

[nickr917]

Hi all, I'm in the process of purchasing my first Albin (28TE) and have possibly narrowed it down to two boats. Both are nice boats but I have some questions about the engines. Both boats have 1997 engines, one boat was built in 1997 and the other in 1998. I don't have concerns about Peninsulars built 1998 or later but from what I understand Peninsulars built around 1997 can have issues due to some bad drilling of the cylinders. I spoke to Matt at Peninsular in general about these older engines and he said that any engine built around 1997 can have this problem but it is impossible to know which engines have the bad drilling. He said you won't know until something goes wrong but engines with higher hours are likely to be ok because most of the bad engines broke at relatively low engine hours (<500). The 1998 boat has 1100 hours while the 1997 boat has 600 hours. I would feel more comfortable with the 1998 boat but it might have some other engine issues that would push me towards the 1997 boat, though it has lower hours, and perhaps a higher risk of breaking.

Any thoughts on these older engines? Has any one had problems personally or know of someone who did?

[eseyoung]

Someone told me in my search that a Beast of that vintage should be considered problematic...as in budget in a replacement in your offer. That said if it was repowered with a later model its as reliable as any other.

[jleonard]

engines with higher hours are likely to be ok because most of the bad engines broke at relatively low engine hours (<500). The 1998 boat has 1100 hours while the 1997 boat has 600 hours. I would feel more comfortable with the 1998 boat but it might have some other engine issues that would push me towards the 1997 boat, though it has lower hours, and perhaps a higher risk of breaking.
?

Considering your comments about failures occurring at or before 500 hours I would consider the engine with 600 hours to be at risk.
I am sure that statistically it would fall inside the infant failure boundary.

[poillon1]

Take a look at our 1998 28TE with Cummins and eliminate the worry in your decision!

[nickr917]

Yeah, I guess getting the boat at a price where replacing the engine is factored in would be alright, though a bit of a pain if an issue did arise. Are there any AOG members with personal experience with one of these older Peninsulars or second-hand stories?

[Pitou]

Yeah, I guess getting the boat at a price where replacing the engine is factored in would be alright, though a bit of a pain if an issue did arise. Are there any AOG members with personal experience with one of these older Peninsulars or second-hand stories?

Over the years there has been extensive discussion on the Peninsular engine on AOG. Use the "Search" function using the single word "Peninsular" and you will find pages & pages of information that should help you navigate through the decision process.

Hope to see you in the fleet soon!

[nickr917]

Pitou, I had searched "Peninsular" only in Topics and didn't find that much info relevant to the 1997 engines but I went back last night and searched Peninsular 1997 in Posts and got a lot more relevant info.

Based on what I read last night it seems like you just have to get lucky with the 1996 to 1998 engines. Most of them are fine but some break, and there is no way to know which ones it will happen to.

[Serenity]

penn 300.pdf

While going through and removing boating papers from my office I came cross this spec sheet on the 300 Peninsula. My Albin is a 1998.

[John_Madison CT]

Serenity: is that your own observed data, or from Albin. FWIW, those #'s are way better than my own 28TE with the Beast. ( '97)

[DougSea]

Have you called Penninsular with the engine serial number? Matt there should be able to help you with any questions or concerns.

[special k]

serenity, your chart is unbelievable. i'd trade my yanmar and oodles of dollars to have my 28te, (or any equivalent boat) get 2.7 nmg @ 27.5 knots.

your chart seems to indicate the faster you go the better the fuel economy. alternate boating universe

[Serenity]

John Madison and Special K, those numbers are not mine but from the factory or Albin. My 98 Albin was repowered in May of 2009 with a 315 Yanmar. The original owner had too many issues with the Beast.

[special k]

my 2002 with 6lpa-stp yanmar can eek out 1.5 nm/g fully loaded,bait, ice,equipment,crew and supplies and maybe 2 nm/g light cruising. gallons per hour mean nothing to me as i always try to run in my "sweet spot" and it varies with the seas.

just my anecdotal experiences i'm sure all others will vary.

[John_Madison CT]

John Madison and Special K, those numbers are not mine but from the factory or Albin. My 98 Albin was repowered in May of 2009 with a 315 Yanmar. The original owner had too many issues with the Beast.

I figured that had to be some BS from Albin. Those #'s are ridiculous.