On Tue, 6 Apr 2004 00:13:37 -0400, "Marc Beroz"
wrote:

I am looking at 2 Pearson sailboats. One has a Universal model 12 engine &
the other has a Westerbeke 12. Does either engine have a better reputation
than the other?
Marc

I believe they might be the same as I think Westerbeke bought
Universal in the late '80s...so the Universal might be the older
engine.

Westerbeke is generally considered middle of the road, quality-wise.
Everyone likes Volvos until they have to buy a spare part, and Yanmars
are currently the default setting, although that may be because so few
people do their own diesel maintenance.

Anyone past a certain age seems to consider the Perkins 4-108 God's
own diesel in terms of reliability and owner-maintainability, but they
are getting fairly elderly now, as are the boats in which they burble
and shake.

R.