J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment 1981 J30 Engine

I am about to buy an 81 J30 and upon surveying the boat today we found it had a Yanmar 2GM engine instead of the 2QM15. Does anyone know anything about this change and know anything about the differences in the engines. Also is there a masthead light on the J30? We could not see any sign of one with binoculars since the mast is up. Thanks, Paul

I have 1982 381 Yanmar 2 GM (14 HP then, 18 hp for new ones) I was not aware that this is not the standard engine on all J 30s it was on all of the one I looked at, anyway great engine, reliable, easy maintenance, great access.

I think the 2GM15 is the 2QM15 with fresh water cooling instead of raw water cooling.

I have a 1984 with the 2GM as well no problems

I have a 1981 J30 hull#340 and the standard
engine is the 2GM raw watered cooled.

Also, I don't believe that a Masthead light was standard, although I do have a switch on
the DC Panel Labeled "Masthead Light".

I believe the earlier boats (and I don't know at what hull number they switched) had 2QM15s, and later boats have 2GMs. The QMs have a cast iron block, and are heavier than the GMs with an alloy block. I believe they also went to a larger prop shaft when they switched engines.

I have hull #205 with the older QM15 engine. It's fresh water cooled... which is just fine on Lake Michigan. After 20 years, I replaced the injectors just as routine maintenance. I've not had to do any other major maintenance in the 14 years I've owned the boat (knock on wood).

I don't believe the boats came with a masthead light standard. There's only a steaming/spreader light.

We have a 1981, hull #256, with a 2QM15, and the 3/4" prop shaft, (which we already replaced once).

Our boat does not have a masthead light, and does not appear that it ever was riggesd for one.

John in Halifax

Hello John,

We live in Bridgewater and are considering buying an 81 J30 from Argyle (Seaya). The boat has a raw water cooled engine. As this sounds like the same engine as your boat, we are interested in your experience with your boat's engine. What about other boats you know of? We understand from a friend that the raw water cooled engines cannot be expected to last. This is a twenty year old boat, so we are wondering.

Thanks.

Nancy H.

Like Dennis, I also believe that the 2QM15 was the earlier engine. Yanmar redesigned that engine and then renamed it the 2GM15. The GM engine was designed to reduce the vibration that's typical of the QM. I have the QM in Mondial (hull number 215). Overall, they are durable little engines. I really wouldn't worry about the mere fact that it's a raw water cooled engine. On the Chesapeake, we run in brackish water and most of them are still chugging along. You could pull the zincs (there's one in the block and another in the head) to verify that they are in good condition. Then, I'd have the surveyor look at it. If you're still concerned you could have a separate engine survey done by a mechanic.

The 2QM15 was produced by Yanmar from 1977-1980. This was a 15hp raw water cooled engine. That engine was than redesigned to be smoother, quieter, and more dependable and was renamed the 2GM. This 15 hp engine was produced between 1980-1983 and was available with both raw water cooling and fresh water, the latter being called the 2GMF. Yanmar once again improved on this engine and relaeased a 18hp model that is also available with both cooling systems. This was the 2GM20 and the 2GM20F which started production in 1983 and is still being produced today.