ACCORDING to River Canal Rescue, (RCR) there is as demand for re-built boat engines by boaters looking to replace aged engines of older boats.
With many boats of around 30 years old, especially those undertaking a lot of cruising, engines will be approaching the end of their useful lives, and boaters, instead of purchasing very expensive new engines, are going for re-manufactured ones.
Re-building service
RCR operate a complete bespoke engine re-building service, that continues to grow, with 25 engines being re-manufactured and sold already this year, and a further five prepared ready to send out with a further five that have been refurbished for customers.
Also by holding re-manufactured engines as stock items, customers can quickly access them and get their boats moving again, with options for boaters including:
Re-manufacture—the engine is completely renewed internally and external components are overhauled or refurbished. Prices start at £3,000 including VAT for a typical BMC engine. (Pictured.)
Re-manufacture block—the engine ‘block' is completely renewed internally but external components, apart from the injection pump, are transferred from the old engine. Prices start at £2,400 including VAT.
Refurbishment—the engine is stripped, internal fittings replaced where required and external components are re-fitted to the rebuilt engine. Prices vary dependent upon requirements, but usually between £1,500 and £2,000 (including VAT). External component overhauls are also available and priced per item. This option is usually only available for customers' engines. (The picture shows a Yanmar Barrus engine.)
Full-time specialists
RCR used diesel injection specialist Key Diesels to service and replace pumps and injectors on narrowboat engines, but after acquiring the business in February 2014, developed some of its unused space for engine work and now employs two full-time engine re-build specialists.
Managing director, Stephanie Horton, comments:
"When a replacement engine is needed, speed, availability, being able to offer customers' choice and having confidence in the warranty is crucial. We could only guarantee this by bringing the service in-house. While we do sell new engines with huge discounts, the provision of full engines with all components, along with re-manufacture or refurbishment options, ensures there's flexibility with prices to suit every budget."
"With the majority of narrowboat engines around 20 to 30 years old and some in operation for 80 years plus, this newly-introduced service is proving invaluable for boaters requiring a low-cost alternative to a new engine. Providing they are maintained and regularly serviced, these re-conditioned engines will last indefinitely."