Case Study: Yanmar Engine Repower by Ovlov Marine Gulf Harbour

Owner: Devon Rutz-Coveney

Boat name: Second Chance

Boat design: Robert Perry Valiant 40

Engine: Yanmar 4JH57

Ovlov Marine Gulf Harbour: Adam, manager and colleague Shane

Power Equpiment contact: Dave low

Devon has been living on boats for over 35 years and grew up sailing. He and his partner now live on their boat full-time, traveling around New Zealand and enjoying its beautiful harbors. It's safe to say Devon knows what it takes to keep a boat running smoothly and which engines you can rely on.

So, when it came time to repower his Robert Perry-designed Valiant boat, which had an old Perkins engine, he turned to the trusted brand Yanmar. He knew the brand had a solid reputation and that their parts and servicing were available worldwide. The next step was to find a marine engineering business in New Zealand with the same reputation and experience. That’s when he found Ovlov Marine Gulf Harbour.

Adam, Shane, and the whole team at Ovlov Marine were up for the challenge. The repower was quite a demanding job due to specific dimensions, modifications, and the high standards Devon had set. Devon worked closely with the team during the 40-day project, and they ultimately installed a Yanmar Diesel 4JH57. This engine is a popular choice known for its fuel efficiency, low emissions, and quiet operation. It's a great fit for repowering older boats because of its power-to-weight and power-to-size ratios, making installation easier. For extra support, Dave Low from Power Equipment consulted on the project to ensure the engine was the perfect fit.

The end result was a successful blend of new technology and a legacy boat design. Devon and his partner are thrilled with the outcome, and they'll be able to enjoy the sea for many years to come.

Devon's thoughts on the project:

"My experience working with Ovlov Marine Marine Gulf Harbour was great. They listened to my needs, and even though the project was trickier than most, I couldn't be happier with the end result. Their experience and over 45 years of boating knowledge really came through, which I valued because I live on the boat with my partner and it had to be right."
"I have years of sailing experience, so I was quite particular about what I wanted. Ovlov Marine showed why they are the leading marine services company in Auckland. I would highly recommend them to anyone who values good, honest service, great communication, and the experience to back their work."
"One last thing, the fuel consumption is a big surprise! Our old Perkins used about 4 litres an hour at 4-5 knots. The Yanmar 57hp uses about 4.5 litres per hour, but we're going twice as fast—at 8-10 knots! This means we get to our destination twice as fast using approximately half the fuel. I'm just simply thrilled about the outcome. Like I told you and wrote to Adam, without Adam, Shane, and the crew, the entire thing would not have gone as well as it did. In the end, the job was perfect."