D’Aprix Marine knows best when it comes to repowers

It’s been a busy 12 months, with a few installations, for D’Aprix Marine Services, a marine engineering business based at the bustling Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard in Queensland. One recent installation by D’Aprix Marine Services has transformed a power boat – opting for the dedicated marine engine option of Yanmar.

Yanmar 6LPA install for Larson 370

“The Larson 370 exceeded all expectations by a very long way with her Yanmar 6LPA installation,” says Tim D’Aprix. Tim D’Aprix is the managing director and chief engineer of D’Aprix Marine Services and about the only thing exceeding his enthusiasm is his expertise in marine installation work.

Tim’s business recently became an authorised Yanmar diesel sales and service centre, and he’s definitely proud to have taken on the mighty Yanmar product.

After the owner recently returned the vessel home to Yeppoon on the Central Queensland Coast, (via a nice visit to Lady Musgrave Island on the way), Tim calculated the Larson 370 was running at 20-22 knots cruise speeds and using an average of 70 litres per hour (combined).

“This gave the owner a range of 312 nautical miles which is absolutely incredible,” said Tim. “The previous big-block petrol engines in that vessel would have been lucky to deliver half that range at double the fuel consumption.”

As builders of dedicated marine diesel engines, Yanmar is particular about how their engines are installed into vessels. In fact, most warranties on Yanmar marine engines will require proof of proper fitting from a qualified expert like Tim, so it pays to get such work done by a professional.


Owner Peter Stocks is as enthusiastic as Tim in his praise of his new Yanmar power, reporting after the return voyage:

“The difference is just chalk and cheese. There is literally no smoke, no petrol fumes and (the Yanmars) are so quiet we could easily have a conversation at the helm doing 20 knots. Ecstatic!”

The finished job has revealed not just a better, (and easier to access), engine room, but a vessel that is better all over thanks to other D’Aprix Marine Services work that included a new Mase generator (also from Power Equipment), full dash upgrade, complete electrical upgrade, (including all new battery system), and new head and plumbing installation.

The Larson 370 is typical of production leisure vessels in Australia that can benefit far beyond the cost of their refit with new 

engines like those available from Yanmar. With good power-to-weight performance for horsepower, significantly better fuel burn and torque figures that leave some other brands embarrassed, Yanmars can give a whole new lease of life to vessels like this.

Coming in at just over 400kg without transmission, the 6LPA is a 315mhp straight six-cylinder diesel that gives its all, (horsepower-wise), at the 3,800rpm mark.

Turbocharged and intercooled, the 6LPA is a direct-injection 4.2litre displacement diesel with mechanical fuel injection. Sophisticated in its own right, it has been a favourite of both boat builders and experienced boat owners for years because of its simple maintenance regime and proven longevity.