Downeaster Yachts.com - Group: Downeaster Yachts Forum

Jonathan Oasis on For Sale, DE32 Universal Diesel 5424 ("M30") engine + trans + all system components

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:38:54 -0400

I have listed the following on craigslist (March 2026) for my re-power. Please feel free to repost it anywhere.

Universal Diesel 5424 Engine, Trans, etc, Complete and Working - $4,000

Hi Sailors. I have a fully running Universal Diesel 5424 ("M30") engine, complete system, FOR SALE. I am re-powering with a completely new system for my 32' Downeaster blue water sailboat. So I must pull and sell my existing setup. The engine is currently installed in the sailboat, which is in the water.

VIDEO OF THIS ENGINE RUNNING - https://youtu.be/j8b9_TrgmKU

The engine is the original installation in my sailboat, from Huntington Beach in 1981, by Boatswain's Locker, Inc. All parts are marine grade and highest quality for a blue water boat, for example Groco strainer, exhaust elbow, etc.

This is an electric start, 3 cyl. diesel which was later renamed Westerbeke "M30" for use in many Catalina Yachts, etc.

- Universal Diesel 5424 Engine (1981) = 24 HP, 3 cyl., electric start
- Lots of original documentation of parts and manuals
- Complete instrumentation panel (Tach, Batt, Fuel gauge, Water Temp, Oil Pressure)
- Bronze Groco ARG Raw water strainer
- Racor Fuel Filter
- Fuel/water separator filter
- Tall exhaust elbow, highly recommended for ocean voyaging
- Raw Water exhaust muffler
- Hurth Transmission
- 5 gal Fresh Water Hot Water Heater (120V AC and heat exchange engine heated)
- Heat Exchanger (clean!)
- Raw Water impeller pump
- Completely fresh rebuilt spare, Raw Water pump
- Diesel fuel lift pump (basic automotive grade)
- Various spare filters and belts: Oil Filter, Diesel Filter, Universal Belt, etc.
- Engine hours: 1,600 (actual hours is much much less, since engine hours tick up when ignition is on)

The engine starts right up!

The price listed indicates what I believe is a fair value, $4000 - $5000, for a fully working diesel system.

See the video of the engine running, https://youtu.be/j8b9_TrgmKU

Serious Buyer is invited to inspect the engine. Discuss with me the decommissioning and pulling the engine from the sailboat (marine yard, crane is available and close by). Crane cost might be $300-$400 for the pull. Bring your diesel mechanic. The engine can be pulled straight up through the companionway.

Contact me: Leave reply on the youtube video.

sailordad46 on Butterfly Hatch $500

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 14:03:52 -0400

This is an original butterfly hatch from a 38' DE. We were going to put on a 32'. The measurements worked. We sold the boat so now this rare find is for sale. Obviously this is a pickup only.

(Maybe able to deliver or meet you up to 2 hours from Washington, NC. My foot is broken so it depends if my daughter wants to drive)

Contact sailordad46@suddenlink.net

andrewb on SOLD - 1979 DE38 Halcyon - AUSTRALIA

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 03:56:47 -0500

Sold 13/04/24

1979 DE38. Hull number 209.

https://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/downeaster-38/301612

http://downeasteryachts.com/th.....name-given

Lying Geelong, Australia.

Spirare on Looking for a Serpentine Belt for Universal 5424 / M30

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 13:40:14 -0500

Hello sailor,

I found kits for Universal engine but none for the 5424 or M30 (which is practically identical).

Existing Kits are for:
M25, M25XP, M25XPB
M35, M35B
M40B
M50, M50A, M50B, 5444
5432

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has installed a serpentine belt for this particular engine model or anyone interested in the project (design, fabrication of the main engine serpentine pulley).

I can share pictures and dimensions for the main crank pulley and the available mounting holes.

Thanks.

Serge

Argyle38 on Scott Carle still here?

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 17:46:57 -0400

Anyone know if Scott is still involved with this website? I'm assuming it's still on his servers but there isn't much traffic here. The reason I'm asking is that the Facebook page is getting hit with a lot of spam these days. I'd be happy to help out with that.

Anyway, if anyone knows anything or if Scott see's this, let me know if you would like any help with the Facebook page.

Eric

S/V Argyle

Argyle38 on DE32 Construction Technique Inquiry.

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 17:31:38 -0400

Yes, there is a large bronze fitting that the rudder sits on. Very beefy part. It is a U-shape and sits over a tab of fiberglass with four lateral bolts that attach it to the hull. When I first got Argyle, I had the cracks as you describe. I ground away all the epoxy around the shoe and removed the bolts. (Wasn't nearly has hard a job as I was expecting.) With the bolts removed, I tried to remove the shoe to inspect/seal what was underneath. I really really tried to remove it. It didn't budge. Didn't want to break the thing (even if I could) because then I'm talking to a freaking bronze foundry. So, I figured if I couldn't remove it, it was pretty secure. I replaced the bronze bolts with new and epoxied around it. Over the years I've had to re-do some small cracks in the epoxy and just this last spring I had to re-epoxy the whole thing after about 13 years. Hasn't been really been a problem. Never heard of one failing or falling off.

I'm not a boat builder but I highly doubt any boats are built in two halves. However, the molds are definitely built in two halves and the seam you see is just the joining of the two halves of the molds. The molds are put together and the hull is built from the outside in, starting with mold release, then the gelcote, then the resin and fiberglass. When that's done the two halves of the mold are separated, releasing the bare hull. The seam down the middle is common on fiberglass boats.

-Argyle

Groginator on DE32 Construction Technique Inquiry.

Sat, 12 Aug 2023 00:04:52 -0400

Thanks a bunch for taking the time to reply. I thought these hulls were constructed in one piece so that line came as a surprise to me.

I'm looking at buying this boat and if there was an issue in those 2 areas it would be cause for some cocern

Thankx again....

mgav451 on DE32 Construction Technique Inquiry.

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 10:56:35 -0400

Now don't quote me here but my guesses are ;. I've got a de 32 1977. I think the hull is made in 2 halves and glassed together. Under my keel I have the same outline. My rib down the centerline isn't perfectly symmetrical. The was a gap in the bottom.I filled mine in and faired it. For the rudder the bottom is a bronze foot bolted and glassed over partially. I thought mine was cracked there and started grinding. If my memory was correct I got to a bolt head then stopped. I didn't get to far into it to know much more

Groginator on DE32 Construction Technique Inquiry.

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 12:08:49 -0400

Hi Folks....I am looking at buying a DE32 and during the dive survey some issues are coming up that I could use some insight into I can't find answers to online or in this group.

1.) Is there a separate"shoe" that supports the rudder pintle at the bottom that is attached to the keel area and then covered over. I am seeing some cracks in this area that suggest that is the case. They run parallel to the bottom for about 18" then make a 90 degree bend toward the bottom. Anyone had this area apart?

2.) When these hulls are built are they done so in one continuous layup or is the hull built in half sections then joined together somehow? I am seeing a very clear line down the center of the keel bottom that is midpoint and straight as an arrow but not flush to each other but somewhat offset. What is going on here.

Thanks for any insight you can offer on this.

Greg

wunsinn on Top of Mast: Cap

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 21:01:29 -0400

I was up on top of the mast and found out that my DE 38 Ketch does not have a cap on top of the mast. Is a standard issue cap available, and if not, where would I go to have a cap made?

SV Isla Bonita

wunsinn on DE38 Valkyr is being decomishioned

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 20:08:44 -0400

I am not sure how old this post is, but I hope your health is better, and I am sorry to hear about your boat. I would be intrested in the hard dogger if it is still available.

Bill

Jolly Roger on Removing the bilge pump on a DE45

Sat, 14 Jan 2023 04:02:40 -0500

The bilge pump has stopped working on my DE45. It is under the false floor which is molded above it? How can it be removed???

Any advice would be appreciated. Please reply to my e-mail. Rogerhughes18@gmail.

mgav451 on Rigid boom vang

Tue, 25 Jan 1927 05:50:51 -0500

Cave say for sure but I've beeenn told the swiveling gooseneck creates a problem on the vang? What vang did you get?

mgav451 on Downeaster 32 with a yanmar3gm30f prop size

Tue, 25 Jan 1927 05:49:10 -0500

Any one happen to have a yanmar 3gm30f on a downeaster 32? I think I'm underpriced was wondering if any one knew the prop size/pitch?

mgav451 on Spreaders

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 09:59:21 -0500

I know your looking to aluminum. I was unable to get mine made of aluminum. So I used Sitka spruce with a strong back then sealed with epoxy awlgrip. Strong and light.