| Vessel: | 21 Tonne & 18m length |
|---|---|
| Old Engine: | CAT 3208 |
| New Engine: | FPT NEF 450 |
| Old Engine Ppower: | 375HP @ 2,800rpm |
| New Engine Power: | Derated from 450HP to 420HP @ 3,000rpm |
| Cruise Speed: | 15kn |
| Max Speed: | 21kn |
A much-loved 1987, 18 metre vessel weighing at 21 tonnes. Originally powered by twin CATERPILLAR 3208 375Hp marine engines, the vessel had served well over the years. But after one engine suffered a mechanical failure, the question arose – should we rebuild, or repower?
Rebuilding older marine engines like that CATERPILLAR 3208 often presents a tough decision. These engines run on 30-year old technology, and sourcing parts is increasingly difficult. Even if parts are found, rebuild come with long timeframes, high labour costs, and ultimately no guarantee or warranty. In most cases, 80-90% of the cost to rebuild approaches the price of a brand-new engine – with none of the benefits.
Why Repower?
When you know you want to keep your boat long-term, it makes sense to invest in trouble-free boating now. Spending good money on aging, unreliable engines is a short-term fix. That’s why we recommended a full repower with twin FPT NEF 450 marine engines – a solution that would improve performance, efficiency, and peace of mind.
To suit the vessel’s existing Nagata remote V-drive gearboxes, we derated the new FPT marine engines from 450HP to 420HP. While the old CATs maxed out at 2,800rpm, the FPTs deliver up to 3,000rpm and an extra 45HP per engine – resulting in improved cruising and top-end speed, without compromising gearbox limitations.
The Bosch common rail fuel injection system in the NEF 450s provides modern reliability, factory-backed warranty, lower fuel consumption, and significantly quieter operation compared to older models.
A Unique Engine Room Setup
This vessel features a unique remote V-drive layout: the engines are mounted under the back deck, facing the opposite direction. Driveshafts run forward into the gearboxes located in the saloon, before transferring power down to the 4-blade propellers.
Despite the complexity, the FPT NEF 450s were a perfect fit. We were able to reuse the original CAT engine mounts and bolt the new engines straight in – saving time and reducing installation costs. Their smaller, more compact design also made the engine room much easier to access and maintain.
Wherever possible, we re-used existing components in the engine room to keep costs down without compromising quality. The NEF engines’ flexibility and sizing allowed us to adapt the installation efficiently within the existing layout.
Marine Generator Upgrade
Initially, we intended to tidy up the vessel’s Onan 16kVA generator, but after uncovering reliability issues, it was clear that wasn’t a viable long-term solution. We replaced it with a Coelmo DML2000 – a modern, soundproofed generator offering low fuel consumption, quiet operation, and proven reliability. It was the ideal match for this upgraded vessel.
- More power, better performance with higher rpm and increased horsepower.
- Lower fuel use and quieter operation from the NEF engines and Coelmo generator.
- Factory warranty protection, unlike rebuilt marine engines.
- Improved serviceability thanks to compact, accessible engine design.
- Long-term peace of mind with a modern, reliable propulsion and power system.
This repower demonstrates why choosing a modern engine like the FPT NEF 450 is the smarter move – especially for boat owners planning to enjoy their vessel for years to come. With modern reliability, factory support, and long-term cost benefits, this vessel is now better equipped than ever.
