various engines of the 27 AC...

[tomray]

I'll be in the market for a 27 ac in the next year or so and would like to hear any opinions about the general characteristics of the various engines that were available on the 27. My not so expert opinion on the matter says the Cummins 210 was overkill for the boat. It seems not much is dicussed regarding the Isuzu 157, or Yanmar 140. When I was considering a new one back around 1987 or so, the Yanmar 77 was engine of choice. I'm particularly interested in the differences in economy between the engines. How cheaply it can be run and maintained will be a major selling point to my better half!. Thanks for any input, Tom

[Veebyes2]

To my knowledge, my 1986 27AC was only the second AC to get a Westerbeke 100hp. The first was a 1985 AC ordered by a friend, also here in Bermuda.

The 100hp is a 6 cyl natural aspirated. At 1800rpm it did what the 70hp did near WOT. The 100hp was smooth & quiet at just over hull speed. My average was about 1.5gph. Peanuts to run.

[Dave]

I have the Isuzu 157HP in my 1988 AC 27. I run about 100hrs per summer and burn about 100 gallons. I normally run about 1500 - 2000 rpm. Top speed might be 8 knots at about 2200 rpm but I usually cruise at about 6 or 7 knots. As for maintenance I change the impeller every two years, change the oil (21 litres) every season when I haul it out, change the engine fuel filter and water separator filter annually. I check the antifreeze annually when I haul it out and change the antifreeze every two or three years. After being laid up all winter in very cold weather I install the batteries and so far it has started with just a touch of the key every spring. Overall I am very satisfied with the engine, my only complaint would be that it is quite loud in the cabin over 1500 rpm. Good luck in your search.

[Marcy K]

Hi,

We had the 100 hp Westerbeke in our 1985 A 27 AC - the engine was actually a re-power in 1986 - done by the first owner - we were her 3rd. We had the boat for 10 years and put over 700 hours on it. Willet was sold last December with 1400 hours on the engine which had performed flawlessly for us over the 10 years we owned her. She cruised between 8 - 9 kts at around 2300 - 2400 rpms. we tried to plan trips around favorable tides and could then go a little faster - reaching 10 kts or more. Noise became louder at anything above 2500. Good luck - they are great boats - we just needed something a little larger adn went with an A 34.

Marcy K
A 34 Paumanok.

[tomray]

excellent feedback all... keep it coming!