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Satisfied Customers
I wanted to thank you for the exceptional customer service and professional advice you supplied me with during the recent repowering of my 28 foot Cape Dory sailboat. Your recommendation of a 13.5 hp Beta Marine engine was a perfect replacement for the original Farryman diesel. Your prop recommendations for the new engine and boat were also right on the money.
Your expertise on all facets of diesel engines, shafts, props, exhausts, boat systems and their correct installation proved to be a great benefit to me as the boat?s sea trial was a great success.
It is unusual to find an individual who is so patient and willing to answer all questions and then share his vast knowledge of diesel engines and boat systems with his customers.
Eric Schladt, Cape Dory 28, Solstice
I'm writing to thank you for the very professional way that you guided me through the details involved in repowering my 26 foot International Folkboat, "White Lightning."
Before contacting you, I had already researched a host of possible replacement engines for the old (1976) Volvo MD1B (including Volvo, Yanmar, Westerbeke, BMW, etc. - none of which fit the IF's very tight engine compartment), and so I was delighted to discover through the Internet that Beta Marine had set out to fill this market void by marinizing the 2 cylinder Kubota diesel.
I feel particularly fortunate that Sound Marine Diesel LLC turned out to be my closest Beta Marine dealership since you not only quoted the best price, but I also became the beneficiary of your many years of repowering experience. Starting with the line drawings that you were able to provide for both the Beta Marine 13.5 HP diesel and the Volvo MD1B, you were able to show me that the new engine would be a perfect fit and, by using a combination of the supplied bolt-on engine mount brackets (11.5" aft and 14.5" forward), it could use the existing stringers. You also correctly predicted that, thanks to the adjustable engine mounts, the new engine would mate perfectly with the pitch of my existing propeller shaft. While we chose to use the flexible coupling that came with the new engine, the final alignment was so precise that we could have done without it.
The overall result is an installation which, to the amazement of the professional mechanic who installed it, runs without any vibration. He is now recommending that all of his repower customers consider a Beta Marine diesel!
Many thanks, again, for your invaluable advice and for your willingness to refund the cost of the muffler and the through hull exhaust fitting which we didn't use. I would be more than happy to have you give my name as a reference to prosepective clients.
Henry Hotchkiss, International Folkboat
Just a note to Joe DeMers and the nice folks at Beta Marine to let them know that we are extremely happy with the performance of our new BD722 diesel engine. Installation in our Ericson 27 went as planned with no surprises. We did it all ourselves with great technical advice from Joe and the team. They were always there when we had questions concerning prop size, fuel and exhaust system upgrades, and all the other little questions that come up when upgrading to a modern power plant. We just returned from a 122 mile sail and everything worked great. We look forward to many years of sailing with our new Beta. Thanks again.
Jim Freeman, Ericson 27
I have used the services offered by Joe DeMers, as both diesel mechanic and general boat contractor and found them to be excellent. He is meticulous in checking over systems and I found his expertise in mechanical and general boat systems to be outstanding. The work he did on my boat, Destiny (a Nordic 44 now cruising in the Caribbean) was excellent. He surveyed the boat and its systems and did a great job fixing those problems that were found. He also kept me informed throughout the entire process. Finally, his recommendations as
to spare parts and maintenance to be performed during our trip was invaluable.
In short, I can highly recommend him to do work on any boat.
Larry Rudnick, Nordic 44
Joe DeMers performed a difficult repair on my Cal 31 sailboat's diesel engine 3 years ago and it's performed wonderfully ever since.
The front cover had corroded away at the bottom, a well-known problem on this Universal/Kubota, model 5416, in a marine installation. Replacement cost was daunting, so Joe patched the area with a number of layers of fiberglass and put in new sleeves for 2 corroded screw holes. After re-painting, it looks like new, and has held up perfectly, leaking no oil, through two seasons of use. He also re-aligned the engine's connection to the shaft, a tedious process, and that's been smoother than before.
Joe cleaned the cover, enlarged the hole so fiberglass would adhere, laid up the fiberglass & machined the new bolt holes in his shop. One remarkable thing I never expected is that he emailed photos of all the steps, which was a big reassurance, as I wondered how on earth this could really be done.
I heartily recommend Joe DeMers for any engine work, and I'd think very favorably of him for any other boat work that he's inclined to do. - Chris Barr, Cal 31
Joe DeMers of Sound Marine Diesel has done an outstanding job of installing a new 50hp Beta Marine Diesel engine for my 1987 Passport 40. After canvasing the usual auxilliary diesel engine manufacturers, I selected a Beta Marine diesel based on specifications, features, and most importantly personal technical support. Joe DeMers not only supplied the engine, but performed the installation to suit the specific requirements and configuration of my boat. Joe actively worked with me to make recommendations and to implement effective and practical upgrades to the fuel, coolant, exhaust, drive train, and electrical systems that complemented the installation and operation of the new engine. Joe's
knowledge and attention to detail would typically not be found in a yard installation. - Herb Dietrich, Passport 40
I have utilized Joe's services for the last couple of years and there is no doubt that he is a "top notch" mechanic that I have recommended to a number of others. If you have a problem with your boat or diesel engine, he can fix it. Not only can you not employ a better mechanic but Joe also offers good value for your hard earned dollar. In addition to employing Joe's services, I have also had the pleasure of sailing on an offshore delivery with him and can assure you that he is a valuable addition to any crew. I count Joe as a trusted mechanic and a friend. Given the other options, not employing his services just doesn't make any sense to me - Ken Grey, CS 30
Mr. DeMers installed a new Beta Marine 13.5hp diesel in my sailboat. As a long time do-it-yourselfer, I had the privilege to work alongside of Joe and was continually impressed with the high standards he employed in each job he undertook. On the occasion where we disagreed, I eventually came around to see that Joe's recommendations were in my, and in my vessel's, best interests.
Employ him, follow his advise, and you and your boat will be the better for it. - Joe Nakelski, vessel Zzzooom, US 10029, C&C 35, MK 1, modified.
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