Westerbeke W64

The Westerbeke 64 is a natural replacement for the W60. Displacing about 3Liters, the naturally aspirated engine should do a much better job of power the 424 than the original engine. The torque curve and power band of the W64 looks similar to that of the W60. The engine mounting dimensions are also similar. If my engine bed were in good shape, I think I could have mounted the W64 on the same engine bed. The engine is offered with a transmission that uses a 2:1 gear reduction. It can be configured to accept the Velvet Drive transmission. It can also be configured with the exhaust off the front, but in doing so, the size of the alternator is restricted to 60A due to space limitations. The engine comes with optional mounting brackets for a refrigeration compressor. Since the stock alternator is too small to meet my needs, I'd have to do something about mounting either a second alternator or take the exhaust off the back. The instrument panel is small enough to fit in the 424 instrument box. If the key switch were relocated, it appears that a fuel gauge could be dropped in its place. This would make an easy refit. Westerbeke did a very good job planning the instrument panel. Hansen Marine, the local distributor, was very eager to answer questions. They even set an engine up with a refrigeration compressor bracket for me to inspect. After being abandoned by Westerbeke in the past, I was reluctant to purchase a replacement engine from them. The engine also didn't provide as much power as I had wanted. I've also worked with Hansen in the past. Their service department is very competent and they are a pleasure to do business with. My only complaint with them is that they are very expensive.