We have had problems with propulsion on our boat. We changed the bushings and have replaced the propeller but the problem has reoccurred. We are waiting for Bukh to come and check the boat again but we suspect we may need to replace the engine and sail drive. We understand the engine space in the Northshore 27 is fairly small and that limits the options for a replacement engine.
Does anyone have a Northshore 27, ours is a 1984, and has replaced the engine? Any tips on what engine may work will be much appreciated.
Thanks.
In previous times, there were quite a few Buhk conversions to Yanmars. My 31 footer had a 3 cylinder Buhk and was converted (before my time) to a Yanmar 3GMD/20. Fitted well, slightly less weight. Not everything is as easy to access though.
Checkout a Yanmar 1GM10, still available new, and some pop up every now and then second hand. The Yanmars come with sail drives, but probably doesn't fit to the Bukh unit.
www.yanmar.com/marine/product/engines/1gm10/
What are the symptoms of the propulsion problem?
Thanks EC31. On the first two occasions the boat had no thrust on forward but it had some thrust in reverse. However, on the third incident the boat was very slow and after about 20 mm we lost all thrust going forward or in reverse. We have spoken to a gearbox specialist and he says it sounds like the spline on the sail drive is the problem. He thinks it is very likely that it can be fixed but we would need to pull the boat out of the water take the sail drive out and put a temporary plug so that the boat can go back into the water as fixing may take a few weeks given that parts are not available and we don't want to pay dry dock fees for such a long period.
We will look into replacing the engine and sail drive as an alternative also but that will be a more expensive option.
Hi Brisa
Re: On the first two occasions the boat had no thrust on forward but it had some thrust in reverse. However, on the third incident the boat was very slow and after about 20 mm we lost all thrust going forward or in reverse. We have spoken to a gearbox specialist and he says it sounds like the spline on the sail drive is the problem.
I don't want to confuse the matter, just want to help you come to a good decision.
I am not a gearbox specialist by any means but I have trouble with the idea that it is a damaged spline.
What brand and model is your saildrive?
What have you dug up on the net about other people dealing with this problem?
we suspect we may need to replace the engine and sail drive.
Why would you need to replace the engine when the problem is in the gearbox?
We are waiting for Bukh to come and check the boat again
By that comment it would seem that the Bukh people have been out and looked the problem before.
What did they say about it?
We changed the bushings and have replaced the propeller but the problem has reoccurred
Who recommended replacing the propeller?
What bushings are we talking about here?
You will have to be on the hard to do any work on the saildrive, so I would be looking at a second hand or reconditioned replacement.
Then you could have the original reconditioned and sell it on to try to recoup some of your outlay.
Gary
I had a NS 27, I doubt you can fit any other sail drive. The yanmar ones are frightfully expensive. Long term solution is to fill the hole and put a shaft in it.
The yanmar ones are frightfully expensive.
Hi keensailor.
Would that be a Bukh engine coupled to a yanmar saildrive?
gary
Search the net for a second hand Bukh sail drive. (Just the sail drive bit.) Then you can refurb and replace the old one, and the hull seals at the same time. If all else fails you can fit an extra long outboard on the transom.
There was a vendor in the Hornsby area a couple of years ago who was selling the same boat type and did a lot of work on the saildrive. He would be a fountain of knowledge, but how to track him down....
Howdy
A mate of mine has a small Volvo motor attached to his NS27 saildrive.
Another option maybe
Thanks to everybody for your replies. We would rather repair the sail drive if we can but as far as we know there are no longer spare parts for the Bukh Sail drive. Looking for a used one is a good idea. For what we understand you can't fit another sail drive to the Bukh engine. We have just spoken to a boat mechanic that has been recommended to us and he will help us troubleshooting to determine what the issue is. Hopefully we can find the parts or a second hand sail drive if that is the issue.
