One Diesel Engine, One VERY Tight Space!! (MJ Sailing - Episode 371)
Six hundred pounds. Inches of clearance. And absolutely no room for mistakes.
Now that the engine is finally inside the cockpit, the next challenge is getting it the rest of the way into the boat — and this part might be even harder than the lift itself.
In this episode, we’re faced with one of the tightest moves of the entire build: getting our diesel hybrid engine up and over the cockpit sill, across the bridge deck, and into the aft berth without damaging the boat — or ourselves. With limited clearance, no working trolley on the I-beam, and six hundred pounds hanging overhead, every decision matters.
We spend the day protecting surfaces, building temporary platforms, removing components for extra clearance, and constantly reworking the plan as new problems appear. What started as a carefully thought-out approach quickly turns into real-time problem solving, improvisation, and a few moments where everything feels a little too close for comfort.
Thanks to a mix of preparation, patience, and some great advice from viewers, we eventually find a way to make it work — but not without a few tense moments along the way.
If you enjoy honest boat builds, real problem solving, and seeing how things actually get done when plans fall apart, you’re in the right place.
Thanks for watching — and as always, thanks for being part of the journey.
00:00 – Getting the diesel from the ground to the cockpit
01:18 – Protecting the Boat Before the Engine Moves
02:55 – Building a Rolling Platform in a Tight Space
04:19 – Gaining Clearance (Removing the Alternator)
07:07 – The I-Beam Problem
09:30 – Improvising Without a Trolley
13:06 – Inching the Engine Over the Cockpit Sill
15:49 – Rolling Across the Bridge Deck
17:57 – Viewer Advice Changes the Plan
19:30 – What Comes Next
20:22 – Closing
Six hundred pounds. Inches of clearance. And absolutely no room for mistakes.
Now that the engine is finally inside the cockpit, the next challenge is getting it the rest of the way into the boat — and this part might be even harder than the lift itself.
In this episode, we’re faced with one of the tightest moves of the entire build: getting our diesel hybrid engine up and over the cockpit sill, across the bridge deck, and into the aft berth without damaging the boat — or ourselves. With limited clearance, no working trolley on the I-beam, and six hundred pounds hanging overhead, every decision matters.
We spend the day protecting surfaces, building temporary platforms, removing components for extra clearance, and constantly reworking the plan as new problems appear. What started as a carefully thought-out approach quickly turns into real-time problem solving, improvisation, and a few moments where everything feels a little too close for comfort.
Thanks to a mix of preparation, patience, and some great advice from viewers, we eventually find a way to make it work — but not without a few tense moments along the way.
If you enjoy honest boat builds, real problem solving, and seeing how things actually get done when plans fall apart, you’re in the right place.
Thanks for watching — and as always, thanks for being part of the journey.
00:00 - Getting the diesel from the ground to the cockpit
01:18 - Protecting the Boat Before the Engine Moves
02:55 - Building a Rolling Platform in a Tight Space
04:19 - Gaining Clearance (Removing the Alternator)
07:07 - The I-Beam Problem
09:30 - Improvising Without a Trolley
13:06 - Inching the Engine Over the Cockpit Sill
15:49 - Rolling Across the Bridge Deck
17:57 - Viewer Advice Changes the Plan
19:30 - What Comes Next
20:22 - Closing
One Diesel Engine, One VERY Tight Space!! (MJ Sailing - Episode 371) Locations
- Kent Island (38.9373391,-76.3289941)
MJ Sailing
Sailing the world to see the world! We're a couple of high school sweethearts in our late 30's that have been on the move for 9 years; creating videos of the ups, the downs, our triumphs and our trials. After circumnavigating the North Atlantic in our last boat Serendipity, (1989 Sabre Targa 34), we took on a 2 year complete refit of our new boat Elements of Life - a custom aluminum 37' monohull. After sailing her to the Arctic, we sold her in 2020 to begin our newest project of building a 42 ft catamaran. Check out our website for more information, and support us by subscribing to our channel and liking our videos. Want to support the production of our videos? - Become part of our Patreon family and get videos before anyone else! - https://patreon.com/mjsailing - Make a donation through the PayPal link on our website - http://mjsailing.com - General inquires, please contact us at: [email protected]
Channel Information:
Social Media Links:
Note of Recognition for MJ Sailing
At WeBoating.com, we profoundly acknowledge the unwavering dedication that MJ Sailing and other creators invests in crafting each and every video. Their passion for delivering exceptional content shines through every frame, and it's a labor of love that deserves your attention.
We invite you to watch their captivating videos and actively engage with their content, including their social media links above. Liking, commenting, and sharing their work goes a long way in fueling their creative fire.
We're also inviting you to explore any sponsorships and partnerships highlighted in the video description of "One Diesel Engine, One VERY Tight Space!! (MJ Sailing - Episode 371)", or directly on YouTube. By considering their offerings or purchasing services and items, you not only support MJ Sailing but also the brands and collaborators they're associated with.
If you have any feedback, corrections, or additional information about MJ Sailing or their videos, please use the comment form below to share your thoughts with us.
Thank you for being a part of our community and supporting the creators we cherish. Your time and support truly matter!
MJ Sailing Lastest Videos
One Diesel Engine, One VERY Tight Space!! (MJ Sailing – Episode 371)
Six hundred pounds. Inches of clearance. And absolutely no room for mistakes. Now that the engine is finally inside the cockpit, the next challenge is getting it the rest of the way into the boat — and this part might be even harder than the lift itself...
Diesel Engine Lift on a Catamaran – With EXTREMELY Tight Clearances (MJ Sailing – Episode 370)
When heavy equipment meets tight clearances, things get interesting fast. This episode is one of those moments where everything slows down, everyone’s watching closely, and every single inch matters. We’re getting our diesel hybrid engine off the grou...
Winter Boat Projects Don’t Wait for Spring
When winter shows up, the build doesn’t slow down—it just gets… creative. With the cockpit shrink-wrapped, a single zippered doorway as our gateway to the cold, and our diesel heater pushing warm air wherever we need it, we’re keeping this project...
She Drills Holes, He Fills Them (MJ Sailing – Episode 369)
This week’s episode jumps right into the fun stuff—Jessica’s back in the engine bay, drilling out two new holes in the starboard engine bed for a pair of thru-hulls we’ll be installing. It’s one of those jobs that sounds simple until you’re dan...
This is the END!! Of Sanding Season. (MJ Sailing – Episode 368)
This week’s episode is a mix of random projects we’ve been tackling around the boat all summer — the kind that never quite fit into any other video but still show the day-to-day progress of the build. We’re checking in on the helm station, which h...
Aligning the Longeron & Forebeam on our Homebuilt Catamaran (MJ Sailing – Ep 367)
After weeks of sanding and fairing (the least glamorous part of boatbuilding), we finally get to do something exciting — bringing the bows of our catamaran together! The longeron and forebeam are two critical pieces that tie the front of the boat into s...
Installing Our Electric Motor System | Milling, Mounts & First Fitting (MJ Sailing – Ep 366)
We’re officially kicking off the installation of our electric drive system! ⚡️ Back in the spring, we received our electric motor, but we couldn’t move forward with fittings until our couplers were milled to the proper size. With that step now com...
Getting Ready to Install Our FIRST EVER AC!! (MJ Sailing – Ep 365)
Can you believe we're finally getting to the install part of our build?? Although, since most things won't get permanently mounted until the end, I guess we could call this a fitting, haha. This week we prepare for the install of our 9k BTU AC unit from M...
Building Our Custom Helm Seat – Foam, Glass & Vacuum Bagging (MJ Sailing – Ep 364)
This week, we’re diving into a project that’s been quietly taking shape in the background: building our helm seat from scratch. While it might seem like a small piece of the boat, it plays a major role in both comfort and functionality—so we wanted ...
Diesel Demands Space, Electric Plays Nice (MJ Sailing – Ep 363)
We’re back in the engine bays this week, continuing to prep both sides of the catamaran for our twin propulsion systems—an electric motor in the starboard hull and a diesel-electric hybrid in the port hull. After receiving our full system from Hybrid ...
Making Room for 300 Pounds of Power (MJ Sailing – Ep 362)
We're prepping our catamaran engine beds for a brand-new hybrid propulsion system—an electric motor in one hull, and a 300+ pound diesel-electric hybrid in the other. In this episode, we tackle fiberglass reinforcements, fairing work, and reveal how we p...
Glassing on our Catamaran Bows – After I Clean Up a TOUGH MISTAKE (MJ Sailing – Ep 361)
Get a FREE pair of crew socks with your 100% waterproof Vessi shoes! https://crrnt.app/VESSI/y6920bP9 We’ve got both bows bonded onto our catamaran now, but before we can start glassing them in place, we run into a tough—and time-consuming—setback. ...
WE SCREWED UP Last Time. Here’s How We Fixed Our Custom Catamaran Build (MJ Sailing – Ep 360)
Go to https://nordvpn.com/mjsailing to get 4 extra months on a 2-year plan!! Just use code MJSAILING A huge thanks to this video's sponsor NordVPN. ALL PROCEEDS go directly to materials for custom build catamaran. This week we once again try bonding a b...
EXTENDING Our Custom Build Catamaran by THREE FEET! (MJ Sailing – Ep 359)
Get 15% off your data plan for Saily by using code MJSAILING. Follow this link: https://saily.com/mjsailing We’ve waited years to attach the bows—and one wrong move could ruin it. Watch as we finally take the leap to bond them on. We're so happy the ...
CATAMARAN BUILD – Picking Interior Paint For Our Boat (MJ Sailing – Ep 357)
Get your hands on THE BOOK: The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding a Civilization Use code MJSAILING10 (10% discount, valid 1 month) https://mdsh.io/e2hrx7340f thebook #howtorebuildcivilization #hungryminds I'm so happy to tell you that we're 5/6ths of the way ...
Catamaran Build – SUIT UP TO STRIP DOWN!! (MJ Sailing – Ep 357)
Use code MJSAILING at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/mjsailing We're at Stage 4 of painting, which means more work on the bridge deck! Because of the tight spaces and the hose of pressure/air that f...
We Have Our Hybrid Engine – HOW DO WE INSTALL IT?!?!(MJ Sailing – Ep 356)
Click the links below and use my code 25EFSMMJSA for an extra 5% off @EcoFlowTech WAVE 3 and GLACIER Classic. (The code is valid until May 25 and cannot be combined with other coupons). Get a free 110W solar panel with your WAVE 3 order（From April 25 to...
CATAMARAN BUILD: It’s Really Happening – Interior Paint Begins After 3 YEARS (MJ Sailing – Ep 355)
Click the links below for an exclusive discount on the @EcoFlowTech GLACIER Classic from April 18 to April 24! Pay $100 and get $300 off the GLACIER Classic. (The coupons can be redeemed between April 25 and May 25). EcoFlow GLACIER Classic: https://bit....
CATAMARAN BUILD: From Seams to Smooth – Cabin Top Progress Continues
From three pieces into one, we're now continuing work on our cabin top. A coat of primer brings our cabin top seams closer to disappearing—plus adds vital UV protection to the fairing work beneath. In this week's video we turn to work on the exterior an...
OH GLORIOUS SANDING!! All The Tools We Use to Get the Job Done (MJ Sailing – Ep 353)
Last chance to enjoy the Early Bird Deal for Everfrost 2: Pay $10 now to save $300 later, plus get a free gift: https://ankerfast.club/jmsb9o #AnkerSOLIX #Everfrost2 #electriccooler #outdoorfridge #campingfridge Once again we apologize for the silence thr...
Why You Haven’t Heard From Us the Past Month (MJ Sailing – Ep 352)
Temperatures dip well below freezing as we try to stay warm aboard our 31' liveaboard boat during our off hours, and we work hard to keep the catamaran at a minimum of 55 degrees so we can continue to work through the cold. We wish we had a more interest...
DIY Boat Builders Attempt a Professional Paint Job (MJ Sailing – Ep 351)
Use code 50MJSAILING to get 50% OFF plus free shipping on your first Factor box at https://bit.ly/4fLjcfw! We are SO INCREDIBLY HAPPY to bring you this episode because it is a moment we have all been waiting for, for so long. Years, in fact. This week we...
Protecting Our Hardwood Trim with Clear Epoxy (MJ Sailing – Ep 350)
From epoxy challenges on our wood trim to an inspiring interview with Steve of Acorn to Arabella, this episode is packed with stories and skills! In this episode, we feature the hardwood trim, which we had mentioned in our interior time lapse video, went ...
From Empty Shell to Cozy Home: Catamaran Interior Time-Lapse (MJ Sailing – Ep 349)
Watch as we start with two empty hulls and a bare bridge deck and piece by piece, turn it into our future home and living space. Get your hands on the sleek and stylish Level8 luggage: https://www.level8cases.com/discount/MJSAILING10 Use code: MJSAILING10...
Something AWESOME is coming!
Be the FIRST to know⛵
Sign up for exclusive updates and be the first to hear when we go live!
Get sneak peeks, exciting announcement, and special content straight to your inbox!
We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.