I’ve got some of the foundation work done for the new engine beds. I’m using part of whats there and adding on to them. I’ve also started work on the icebox. I’m adding 2″ more of solid foam insulation and an inner liner. As is now we can only get a couple of days out of our ice. It’s funny, thinking about ice at this time of year.

Our new engine came in. I like it! It’s a Beta 14. 14HP, English, Ferrari red, need I say more? I’m not usually overly impressed with gadgets, but I’m very excited about this new engine.

I built a jig to represent the new engine. I bolted the jig to the old prop shaft and aperture which I temporarily put back in the boat. The big carriage bolts represent the engine mounts. The squares on the bottom represent the oil sump. I have plenty of room above it so I didn’t bother mocking up any of the top end. It’s tight down low. Some of the old engine bed has to be cut away. The rest I will use as a foundation for the new beds as it is well built. It seems like half the work is just the planning and knowing what to do next. Frost on the windshield this morning.

Since removing the engine I’ve been doing a lot of cleaning. The days are getting shorter and colder so I figured this part of the project should be completed while the temperature is still in the 60s.

I spent a few days trying (unsuccessfully) to remove the propeller. After breaking my gear puller, I cut it off with a sawzall. 

I never really completely understood how my stern tube was set up. I have repacked the stuffing box but the rest of it was covered in resin and grease. What a mess! The “tube” consists of a bronze aperture on the stern (with cutless bearing). That has a hose attached to it with the stuffing box clamped to the hose. The problem is they just glassed the hose into the boat. AAaaaahhhhhH !!!! This is completely wrong. The hose was in bad shape from having oil and fuel soak into it for 20+ years. This is a good way to sink a boat. I cut it all out.

The cleaning is done. So are the leaves on the trees.

As I alluded to in my earlier post, I’ve been having some issues with our 27 year old Universal engine. Every year I spend a considerable amount of time and boat dollars trying to get it to run properly. I’ve learned a lot about diesel engines in the process. Last year, while replacing the exhaust, I broke the manifold. Unfortunately the manufacturer no longer carries the part. This got me thinking about what other parts will I not be able to obtain in the future?

We had the broken manifold brazed by a welder in New Bedford. Then re-machined so the exhaust would fit back on. Unfortunately, it was also cracked internally and had antifreeze leaking into the exhaust portion of it. This I repaired with JB Weld and some other exhust goop. It held for the summer but I’ve been told by several mechanics that eventually I’ll have a problem again. We plan on taking Catalpa down the ICW someday so we made the decision to repower. The decision was not made lightly as a new engine is very expensive and our Universal starts every time I turn the key.

We went to the Newport boat show and bought a Beta 14 engine. They are made in England and are manufactured from a Kabota block.

From October 1-3 I spent my time disconecting the old engine and getting it prepared to be pulled out through the hatch with a crane.

I used the main sheet block and tackle along with the boom vang to haul it out of its hole.

I constructed a wood platform to put the engine on in the cabin saloon.

A very helpful tool in this process was a basketball. The weight of the engine obviously made it very difficult to move. I deflated the basketball, put it under the engine, and re inflated it. This lifted the engine up enough (off of the beds) to pull it forward.

It worked great. I was surprised by how smoothly the whole process went. Nothing damaged and only a few bruises.