| Vessel Make: | Thomascraft |
|---|---|
| Vessel Weight: | 12.5T |
| Old Engine: | Iveco 8281 V8 |
| New Engine: | FPT C16 1000HP |
| Old Engine Power: | 700HP |
| New Engine Power: | Derated to 815HP at 2,300rpm |
| Cruise Speed: | 20kn @ 1,800rpm |
| Max Speed: | 27kn @ 2,300rpm |
The owner of a 43-foot, 12.5 tonne Thomascraft 43 vessel approached THT for a repower about their existing marine engine – a 30 year-old Iveco 8281 V8 700Hp. Originally sold by THT 30 years ago, the vessel had been under third-party care for the last 15 years. Unfortunately, due to neglected maintenance, coolant leaks and other engine issues arose, making repairs no longer viable.
The Challenge
Once marine engines like the Iveco V8 reach this age, especially when not properly maintained – repairing them is rarely a practical or cost-effective solution. For this Thomascraft, the best decision was a complete repower.
The Solution: FPT C16 1000 Marine Engine (set at 815HP)
As the official Iveco and FPT specialists in Western Australia, we recommended the FPT C16 1000, a modern 16-litre, common rail diesel engine that offered a wide range of improvements over the old V8, including:
- Quieter operation with reduced vibration
- No smokey transom thanks to advanced common rail fuel injection
- Lower fuel consumption, especially at cruising speeds
- Compact size, despite offering more horsepower (815HP vs 700HP)
- Displacement: Old V8 – 18L | FPT C16 – 16L
Retained Components for Cost-Effective Repower
To keep the repower viable and minimise costs. THT retained several key components that were still excellent condition and compatible with the new engine:
- Pong box and exhaust system
- Sea strainer
- Propeller and propeller shaft
- Gearbox mounts
- Front engine mounts
- Power steering pump
Enhanced Monitoring with 7-Inch Digital Display
The customer also opted for the 7-inch touchscreen control panel, instead of the standard 5-inch. This upgrade provided easier visibility and access to key engine parameters and gauges for a better user experience.
How Do We Compare?
This repower perfectly highlights the value of regular engine maintenance and why repowering with the right marine engine is often the smartest decision for long-term performance, reliability, and efficiency. On sea trial the Thomascraft delivered:
- Cruise Speed: 20 knots at 1,800rpm
- Max Speed: 27 knots at 2,300rpm
For a 43-foot, 12.5 tonne single-screw vessel, those numbers are outstanding – fuel consumption is sensational, reliability is sensational, and performance blew us away.
For vessel owners still running older mechanical engines, the FPT’s fuel savings and modern technology deliver a clear upgrade path – backed by the trusted expertise here at THT.
