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
MJ Sailing
From Arctic ice in a custom aluminum monohull to building a high-performance 42ft catamaran, Matt and Jessica of MJ Sailing define technical excellence.
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One Diesel Engine, One VERY Tight Space!! (MJ Sailing - Episode 371) Locations
- Kent Island (38.9373391,-76.3289941)
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