shopping for used R-21 - maintenance issues?

[jefff]

I've been lurking here and on C-Brats for awhile dreaming of my own R-21. I keep coming across a few used boats for sale that are interesting. My question is:

Are there any long term maintenance issues I should look out for? For example, TF Varley has a '95 for sale with 422 hours on it. Are there any issues with these little Yanmars after a certain number of hours? Any other major issues to look for?

I'm perfectly comfortable with normal small upgrades and repairs like stuffing boxes and whatnot. I just didn't want to end up with something and find out I need a new motor or other major issue.

Any advice anyone can pass along would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

JF

 

[Kamalani]

When I read TF Varley's boat for sale post, I immediately noted his remarks as to "all maintainance performed as to Yanmar specs" (not quoted exactly). This means a lot, and I would guess that he has retained the paperwork and engine maintainance logs to document it. Looks like a great value, and a beautiful boat as well.

 

[jefff]

When I read TF Varley's boat for sale post, I immediately noted his remarks as to "all maintainance performed as to Yanmar specs" (not quoted exactly). This means a lot, and I would guess that he has retained the paperwork and engine maintainance logs to document it. Looks like a great value, and a beautiful boat as well.

Understood. I was asking in a more general sense and just using his ad as an example. Are there things to look out for after x number of years or x number of engine hours? Really a more general qx.

And yes, his boat looks great and seems like a very good deal.

Thanks for the response.

JF

 

[Kamalani]

JF - good point - I would probably talk with a Yanmar dealer/mechanic in your area to see if he has any experience or concerns for the engines. We just turned over 70 hrs. so no real advice to pass on yet. Alex.

 

[tor2ga2]

When I bought my boat this summer it only had 55 hrs on her but I did have the Yanmar guy come down for a look and he, after giving her an survey, pronounced her fit and said there are thousands of this basic engine used as reefer motors on semi trailers and they are basically indestructable. Just give them clean fuel, clean air, change the oil every year and keep the coolant level up. and they'll run forever.
I remember on my trawler I had a Isuzu engine and the first service other than oil and filters was at 1875hrs. and that was retorque the head bolts and clean the injectors, if needed. Treat a diesel right and they're pretty much perpetual motion machines.

Terry
TORTUGATOO
'04 R21

 

[jefff]

When I bought my boat this summer it only had 55 hrs on her but I did have the Yanmar guy come down for a look and he, after giving her an survey, pronounced her fit and said there are thousands of this basic engine used as reefer motors on semi trailers and they are basically indestructable. Just give them clean fuel, clean air, change the oil every year and keep the coolant level up. and they'll run forever.

Thanks for the info Terry. I'm not too worried about these engines as I know they're good and have had experience with several small Yanmars in sailboats. They run on anything and are just about impossible to break.

Any other R-21 specific issues I should keep an eye out for? I want one of these boats because they are dead simple and from everyone's experiences seem to be very reliable. I just thought I'd ask in case anyone stumbled upon any real show stoppers.

Thanks again for the help and advice.

JF

 

[bbelongie]

The one thing I would love to have for my '03 R21 is a Owners Manual/wiring diagram. You can transpose the R21EC manual available here, but it includes several items that have changed over the years. So if you have the original papers you are well ahead of the game. I'm currently making changes to the electrical panel to add my ham HF radio and outlets for the GPS and a small inverter and am taking things very slow to make sure I don't create more problems. This is complicated because the previous owner already made some undocumented changes under there...So ask if those documents are included!

Cheers,

Bob & Brenda Belongie
2003 R21 "Queen Bee"

 

[Tom Ray]

These little Yanmars are used to power a lot of sailboats, and I encounter older ones all the time in the course of selling sailboats through the brokerage.

I see them with 2,000 hours on them. In salt water, the exhaust elbow will go after 5 years, ten if you flush the engine with fresh water after each use.