After considerable and for me inexcusable delays (30 days late), Aric and his assistant Jimmy at Rockhold Creek Marina in Deale Md. finally got the new 20HP installed in my 1980 Chrysler 30 sailboat. Aric did a sea trial and determined that the old prop wasn't efficiently pushing the boat so he replaced it with a 3 blade non-sailboat type prop that works extremely well and even kicks up a little rooster tail when reved up. I want you to know that the engine was put to a severe test and passed with flying colors. Once it was out the crate and installed, I shoved off from Deale and spent five days sail motoring down the ICW to New Bern, NC. I got caught in two severe thunderstorms in Deltaville VA and near Oriental NC The storm near Oriental had 60 MPH winds. Nevertheless, the Kabota 20 handled the 10,000 lb displacement boat splendidly and never faltered a second. She punched through the worst the storm could give me. It started instantly every time, burned no oil and had zero smoke. All to be expected of course but I thought you should know that I am extremely pleased with the performance of this engine. A couple of skippers on hearing the engine asked me what it was and all gave me a thumbs up for making the choice to switch to a Beta Marine Kabota. Despite the enormous installation bill Aric gave me...would you believe 6,000 dollars? ...I feel vindicated. I would highly recommend a Kabota to anyone thinking of re-powering.
Having said that, can you tell me if you have a manual for the engine that you can send me? There wasn't any documentation with it, or at least Aric never gave it to me, so I don't know what the part numbers are in case of a break down. Also, what is the situation for changing oil? Can you explain the procedure using the oil changer I note is on the engine according to your specs. Do you recommend changing the break in oil now or waiting longer? I have about 60 hours on the motor. When I change the diesel filters, will it be necessary to bleed the lines? Do you have a procedure for doing it single handed? What are your recommendations?
I am pleased that your engine is working as it is supposed to. With proper maintenance it will continue to do so for many years to come.
I will put a manual in the mail for you you today. There is always one with the engine and I can only assume that it got lost at the boat yard.
As far as servicing goes I always change the engine oil and filter for the 1st time at about 10 to 20 hours. This is very old fashioned but I have always had excellent service from all of my engines in boats and cars. Thereafter the manual recommends an oil and filter change every 250 hours. This is fine if you rack up a lot of motoring hours every year but if you only use the engine for 50 to 75 hours a year it would be silly to change the oil only every 3 to 5 years. I always recommend changing the oil at least twice a year (beginning and end of the season) and this will give you great engine life as well as piece of mind. The transmission manufacturer (Technodrive / Twin Disc) recommends a first oil change at 25 to 50 hours and there after at 500 hours or annually (which ever occurs first). Use ATF for the transmission.
I recommend that fuel filters be replaced annually. It is necessary to get most of the air out of the system when you do this. The engine will purge the air left in the system (self bleed) but it is very hard on the starter motor and battery to leave all the work to the key. The procedure is explained in the manual.
Thanks so much for the quick response and the instruction/maintenance manual. It arrived in today's mail. Actually, Aric sent me the copy the next day by coincidence, but it's a Xerox copy and the photos don't show as well as in the manual you sent. I will follow your suggestions on oil changes et al. That's good advice. I want to tell you how pleased I am with the diesel's performance, even though I grouse about the costs, it's worth the extra money to have piece of mind. After weathering two fierce storms on the ICW recently and coming out intact I will swear by the new diesel. If you ever need a testimonial or someone to give a demo at Northwest Creek Marina (Fairfield Harbor) please don't hesitate to let me know. I am one great fan of Beta Marine.
If you have a mailing list for updates on the engine, please include me on it.
