2013 specs - engine changes?

[Gin]

The spec sheets on Ranger Tugs' websites look to have been updated around the first of this month. The R27 will have a "D3 200" instead of the former 4BY2 180. The R25SC now lists a "D3 150" but maybe that's just a different number for the 4BY2 150. Not a HP change, in any event. Has anyone heard any news about the engine changes?

 

[walldog]

The spec sheets on Ranger Tugs' websites look to have been updated around the first of this month. The R27 will have a "D3 200" instead of the former 4BY2 180. The R25SC now lists a "D3 150" but maybe that's just a different number for the 4BY2 150. Not a HP change, in any event. Has anyone heard any news about the engine changes?

That is the Volvo Penta which now appears to be standard.

 

[Boatdreamer]

Does anyone know if the Volvo is a slower reving engine? Should be a little quieter, if it is. Being a gearhead the Yanmar makes all the right sounds for me. I guess Volvo made Ranger Tugs a deal they couldn't refuse.

Tim
Gratitude

 

[Gin]

When I looked at the specs, I so took for granted the engines were all Yanmars that I didn't see the Volvo in front of the number. Proof that we often think we see what we most expect to see. Now, the only Yanmar in the lineup is the 30HP on the R21EC.

I confess to some disappointment. I've always associated Yanmar as being about as good as it gets in marine diesel. But that's simply an impressionistic thing -- from hanging around some sailboaters that adored their Yanmars. The Volvo Penta may be as good or better. Or prhaps its like so many things -- better in some ways and not in others, so that each has an edge in different ways.

Anyone out there that knows what differences the Volvo Penta may make? As Tim asked, maybe quieter? Better fuel efficiency or mechanical reliability? Perhaps better access for repairs? Parts availability or more familiar to many mechanics? Manufacturer support?

Gini

 

[Levitation]

Cheaper.

 

[Gin]

Ah, yes. :idea:
Alas.

 

[rt11002003]

I believe the engine changes began with the Cutwater boats.

The Yanmar engines (150hp and up) used in the Ranger Tugs are BMW engines; marinized (sp?) by Yanmar. BMW is always expensive. So are their parts. Most of their engines have good records regarding operations after a period of time around the 1600 and the 2000 tii models (late70s?), where some of them (mostly 6 cylinder) had some problems with overheating. But, BMW worked past that. Very good, dependable engines. But, expensive.

Volvo engines and parts aren't cheap either. My experience with their engines has been good, both cars and diesel boat engines. What I always appreciated was their simplicity and ease of maintenance. They have always been dependable; diesel engines installed in Albin 25s (early 1970s) are still running like swiss watch works. Parts are expensive! Can't speak about their new engines. If they're common rail electronic, they won't be simple.

I spent 12 years working with jet engines, aircraft, liquid and solid rocket engines and missiles, along with related support equipment. Even spent a couple of years teaching maintenance and a year teaching aircraft accident investigation. All that left me with an interest with all engines. 😱

gene

 

[Gin]

A good perspective Gene. For the record, I've got nothing against Volvo. We are on our 3rd Volvo car. The engines in all 3 have been uniformly trouble free. Transmissions, transfer cases, electrical, etc can be a little more hit and miss, depending on model year. Volvo seems pretty quick to release new technology and features and let bugs get worked out in the first model year or two. But eventually, they do seem to work out the bugs.

For those with experience or opinions about both engines, would you have a strong preference for one over the other, a weak preference, or no preference (so that other features of the boat would drive the decision)?

 

[Todd]

I am not sure what to think! I have had a lot of good luck with Volvo diesel construction equipment but a lot of real bad experiences with volvo marine gas engines.

Anybody want to buy a Rinker with twin volvos cheep let me know.

 

[knotflying]

Both engines have a good reputation. And as said in an earlier post I am sure there are good things and bad things about both. Volvo does conversions of engines to marinize them as well, it would be interesting to see if this particular engine is a conversion. I would guess that a switch from Yanmar to Volvo is an economic decision by Ranger Tug. Perhaps Kenny or Andrew can chime in and shed some light on their reason for that decision.

 

[lashobe]

During the Ranger Tug trip to Desolation Sound in July we read out our engine data while underway at steady speed and consistently the Volvo D4 in the R 31 ran 15-20 degrees cooler than the Yanmars in the R 29 (180 vs 200), it was also running substantially lower rpms at the same speed and the gal/hr were essentially the same using the Garmin fuel readout. Over the long haul I would think that could lead to longer engine life.

I had an R 27 previously with the Yanmar 180 and I believe it was quieter at idle than the D4 Volvo. The Volvo D4 has more vibration at idle. Underway they are very similar in noise level. The great advantage of the Volvo installation is the electronic engine controls on shifting, trolling valve operation and monitoring engine performance. It is an extremely smooth interface versus the 2011 R 27 we had.

Lee Shobe
Sea Ranger R 31

 

[Gin]

Not that my first Ranger is likely to be a 31 or a 29, but still, that is encouraging for the changeover to Volvo Penta generally. Could be a upside. At least doesn't look like a downside. Thanks for offering your experience Lee.

 

[baz]

One nice thing that comes with this Volvo 200 hp engine for the R27 is the colored and easy to read engine display. This is/should be much much easier to read than the Yanmar engine display unit. Another thing is that the Volvo engine is a fly-by-wire design. I also believe the Volvo 200 hp engine has no zincs to have to worry about due to the engine water cooling design.

I'm told it's a quieter engine compared to the Yanmar 4BY2 150, but how many less decibels is unknown 😉 .

It's a 5-cylinder job as well... and my guess it's a 'marinated' version of the very trusty 5-cylinder petrol engine that has lived in Volvo autos for decades. 🙂 :roll:

 

[Gin]

Hmmm. The engines we have had in our Volvos have all been gas (petrol) 5 cylinders. And they have been very trusty indeed. 😀

 

[Andrew Custis]

The Volvo D3 is the one that comes out of the cars you are thinking of. It is a 5 cylinder engine known to be very good. You all touched on some very good points and I appreciate that. I would say that the noise levels of the Yanmar and the new Volvo D3 200hp are very close to the same. Both the D3 Volvo and Yanmar 4BY2 are the same revving engines at 4000 rpm. The larger of the Volvo engines used in the Cutwater 28, R29 and R31 are lower rpm engines turning at 3500 and go from an aluminum block 6 cylinder to a cast iron block 4 cylinder.