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Marine repower benefits
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Florida Detroit Diesel-Allison is one of the largest marine diesel power distributors in North America. Our world-class marine power systems serve the pleasure craft, commercial, and military markets. An assortment of customizable marine engine power ratings start at 350 HP through 3,650 HP and ends with massive turbine power up to 10,000 HP.
We offer complete marine repower service, from start to finish anywhere in the state of Florida. Call today and speak with one of our marine repower specialists to assess your needs.
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| From 350 HP - 825 HP | Up to 10,000 HP | From 13 HP - 1,200 HP |
Are you considering repowering your boat?
Repowering your boat often changes your entire boating experience. Whether it’s the improved fuel economy, quieter performance, or the added HP, a new engine provides a "new boat" feel to any craft.
As the authorized distributor and factory trained providers of Detroit Diesel, MTU, and John Deere marine engines, choosing FDDA as your repower provider offers much more than just factory knowledge and trained technicians. FDDA works in conjunction with yards all over the state of Florida, and can help you sell your existing engine(s) to lessen the cost of the overall project.
We have one of the largest inventories of engines ranging from 13HP to over 10,000HP and our repower specialists will help you understand your repower choices, provide best-fit suggestions, and work with naval architects to ensure desired outcome. Our experienced repower team handles your repower process from start to finish; professionally, on time and on budget.
Repower consultants are available to answer any questions you may have, and can provide a checklist of considerations before you begin. If you’re considering a repower, give us a call (954) 327-4447, and ask to speak with one of our repower specialists. See for yourself why we are one of the largest and most trusted repower specialists in the state.
- Why should you consider a repower?
- Where to do a repower?
- When should you repower?
- What do I want from a repower?
- Who should do your repower?
Why should you consider a repower?
The reasons for doing a repower are varied. “My engines are worn out”, “I need more Power”, “Better reliability”, “Can’t find parts anymore”, “Fuel Savings”, is just a few of the reasons boaters have for thinking repower. All of the above and many more are valid and make sense. For instance I recently replaced an engine in a work boat that had been installed in his boat for over 20 years. The engines have had a few overhauls and parts are getting harder and harder to find. His fuel costs had risen drastically and he wanted to find a replacement engine with good fuel economy. Another client presently owns a custom classic Palm Beach sport fish. He has a contract on another one but it will take 24 months to build it. He wants to repower with the latest 2000 Series engines now so he can enjoy their performance and still have a warranty when it’s time to sell his boat. This will create a better resale value for him and the prospective buyer.
With the proliferation of fiberglass boats floating today, repowers are inevitable. I recently received a list of registered boats within the state of Florida, diesel powered, from 45’– 90’ built between 1996 through 2006. With those narrow parameters the number was approximately 2000 boats. How many boats are floating in the Florida waters alone that are older than 1996, or larger than 90’? Too many to count. All of these hulls are candidates for repower eventually. They all will have their own reasons why.
Where to do a repower?
There are many companies to choose from when considering a re-power. We suggest asking the engine supplier where other jobs have been completed with satisfying result. Ask other boaters on the dock, as some of the most reliable information is from other boaters who have been through the same. Call some boatyards and ask if they have performed a similar re-power to the one you are considering.
Chances are, if the yard is good, they have done many re-powers.
The yard you choose should have experienced people that know the importance of the necessary criteria for a successful re-power. The yard should have a good working relationship with a qualified navel architect that can be consulted with a project such as the one you might be considering.
The last thing you want is to find out that your boat doesn’t perform to your expectations.
When should you repower?
Although to some this is a moot point. If your engine is “down” the answer is self- explanatory. But for many others the timing of the repower project can be very beneficial.
In Florida the yards are always very busy with day to day work during the winter months. In the “off season”, or summer, yards need work and are willing to work with a prospective client a little closer when it comes to the budget.
Maybe the candidate boat is used for charter and one part of the year is busier than another. For a working boat in the Keys, one has to choose the off season so not to loose that all important revenue the boat brings in.
For us in the engine business we may have a model change near Ft. Lauderdale and Miami Boat Shows. With a model change there are always inventories of the existing products that need sold and one might get a better deal with prices but especially on delivery dates.
Plan your project wisely. Ask your engine supplier what the lead time is for the engines and transmissions. Check with your boat yard so they can consult lead times from the exhaust company, the propeller people, and any other vendors that may be involved. With all this done in advance the chances of your repower coming in on time and on budget are greatly increased.
What do I want from a repower?
This is the most crucial question. Without it answered none of the above is important. Before one makes the decision of what engine to repower with, one had to search their souls closely. What do I want to accomplish? There was recently a very good article published that described a repower I was involved with. The customer owns a sport fish that was powered by the Detroit Diesel 16V92TA engines rated 1450 HP. He wanted better reliability and didn’t want to buy a new boat to get it. Speed was a concern but not the main issue. So, what did he do? This is when the “when” factor comes into play. MTU had just introduced the 10V2000 with a rating of 1500 HP compared to the previous rated 12V2000 rated at 1500 HP. Since our 10 cylinder engine produced the same HP as his older 12 cylinder engine the 1500 HP engine was considered. In view of the fact that I had one pair left in inventory this motivated me to make it happen, another “when” factor. The weight of the engines was also an important factor. Since the 1500 HP 10 cylinder engines and the 12 cylinder 1500 HP engines have the same HP, there was an approximate 1000 LBS weight savings per engine. The existing transmissions could be used saving thousands of dollars. The end of the story resulted in the same top speed using less fuel. He won in all counts.
Some other clients wish to greatly increase their HP. With this as a goal many other factors come into play and create a domino effect on the project. For instance, since fuel and air make HP, is there enough airflow in the engine room to allow the engine to create its rated HP? Are the shafts sized correctly to handle the increased HP? If not then the dominos really start dropping. If the shafts have to be enlarged, then so do the bearings and struts. What gear ratio will be required to handle the increased HP? Will the hull clearance allow for the swing of the correct propellers? Again since fuel and air make HP, with the increased HP and possible fuel burn, what will the effect of overall range be on your vessel? Is the boat capable of handling a real drastic increase in HP? Some of the older boats were designed to a conservative speed. With the smaller, lighter, more HP Engines available, what effect will the increase speed have on the hull? Can it take it? Many other factors need to be investigated before repowering your vessel.
Who should do your repower?
Florida Detroit Diesel-Allison is your best choice for a repower!
In the past fifteen years that I have been selling MTU engines I have probably talked more people out of a repower than sold. It is not for everybody. But if you are considering repowering your boat give me a call and we can discuss the possibilities. We have engines ranging from 75 HP to 5700 HP. We have worked with yards all over the state of Florida, and can help you sell your existing engines to help lessen the cost of the overall project. We know the navel architects, marine exhaust experts, and propeller people. We have an excellent staff with our own in house engineer to inspect your vessel before you make up your mind.
Give us a call at (954) 327-4481 ask for Carlos Sanchez or e-mail Csanchez@fdda.com
